top of page

Memorial Services For Luis Avalos Beloved Actor Dead at 67


luis-avalos

Noted Friends of Luis send their condolences below.

Los Angeles, CA – Actor Luis Avalos, 67, best known for his role in the PBS children’s show The Electric Company, died on Wednesday, January 22 from heart related complications.

Viewing and Funeral Information:

The Viewing: Old North Church, Forest Hollywood Hills

Address: 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, ?Los Angeles, CA 90068

Date: Friday, 31, 2014

Time: 5PM to 7PM and post Rosary until 8:30PM

Mass: St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church

Address: 10800 Moorpark St. (Lakershim Blvd. at Moorpark St.), North Hollywood

Date: Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014

Time: 10AM

Funeral procession after mass

Burial: Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills

Address: 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90068

Date: Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014

Donations in Luis’ name to be sent to St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church.

Luis Avalos’ most memorable role is that of Doctor Doolots, a character that is part Doctor Dolittle and Groucho Marx, who used words to cure his patients. Avalos worked alongside of Rita Moreno, Morgan Freedman, and Bill Cosby, from 1972 and until the show wrapped in 1977.

For more information on Luis Avalos and his career, please visit:http://www.latinheat.com/the-biz/luis-avalos-farewell-to-a-talent-mentor-and-best-friend/

LUIS AVALOS’ FRIENDS SEND THEIR CONDOLENCES:

“Luis was my beacon of light. It was Luisito who shone the way to unconditional love. Whose   devotion to Angel and Estrella simply spread, like honey, to all who crossed his path. What a   remarkable human being. Diminutive but towering in his capacity to share his gorgeous spirit.

I know there is a very special place in heaven for him filled with laughter and platanos!  But you can bet Luisito is not going to be “resting in peace”, he will be dancing, singing and telling his terrible jokes, making those Angels in heaven crazy.

Adios, amigito, adios.”

– Rita Moreno

“It’s fitting that the great Luis Avalos achieved such notoriety on The Electric Company, because of the wattage he brought to every part he played in his long and illustrious career. An artist. An activist. A friend. Con respeto y amor!”

–Ed Begley

‘We have all lost a true pioneer, a great actor/director who’s enormous humanity and enthusiasm for the work was infectious.

We will all miss him deeply but his example will live in us forever. Rest in peace my friend. I will always remember our friendship.”

–Andy Garcia

“Luis Avalos has been my friend for over 20 years. He was an iconic figure, well

trained, well versed, an actor, producer, director and thespian. Luis was always

a kind, gracious and generous individual,  During my last few years at the

Department of Labor, Luis did the voiceover for the 100th Anniversary of the

Department of Labor video debut, and his work will continue to touch many, many people, as it always has.  A wonderful man, he will remain in our hearts.  I’m proud to have known LUIS, my brother and my friend.”

–Hilda Solis, Former Secretary of Labor

“We have lost a leader, an innovator, a creative pioneer, a mentor and my dear friend, Luis Avalos.  For more than 40 years, I had the honor of calling Luis my friend, a man who inspired us and gave so much to us and to our community.

As an actor, director, writer, producer, Luis, the consummate professional, challenged anyone who worked with him to always be the best they could be.  His lifelong commitment to us, to our community, to education and to the arts, will bear fruit for many generations to come.  My ‘querido amigo’, Luisito, will be deeply missed and will always remain in our hearts.”

–Mike Gomez

“With the Passing of Luis Avalos the world has lost one of the finest souls placed on it.  A more kind, compassionate and giving person I have never met. He gave more than he received and shared his life with all of us.  Luis gave hope every time you were with him.  We will all miss him… but he’s with a lot of friends….”

–Edward James Olmos

“We are saddened to hear that the Latino community has lost another trailblazer in the entertainment industry…Luis Avalos. He was a true gentle-man and a consummate professional who always brought his experience and craftsmanship as an actor to any role or project he was involved with.

More importantly, though, we lost a friend.  We gravitated towards him when we fist arrived in Los Angeles.  After all, he was another Latino touchstone on the famed Electric Company.  But also, because we knew of his extensive work on the NY Stage, both on Broadway & with off B’way companies like The Public Theatre.

He was always generous with his time whether it was for his tireless work on behalf of many Latino entertainment-related organizations like NOSOTROS or personally, giving advice on who or where to turn to for research material when we collaborated on the film Fires Within where, in the role of Victor, he drew from his own experiences as a Cuban American.

Luis did so many great Guest Appearances on television shows throughout the years and we were particularly proud when he graced the set of NYPD Blue in 1996. We all applauded Paquito’s Christmas, which was a personal triumph for Luis when he brought it to fruition on the stages of Los Angeles.

We will remember him fondly as the life of any party, dinner or social gathering.  His smile, his advice, his generosity of spirit, the love he had for his craft and his dedication to furthering the cause of Latinos in this industry will be truly missed.”

–Jimmy Smits & Wanda DeJesus

Comments


bottom of page