Humor, television, and radio in the country are in mourning after the passing in Barranquilla of Alfonso Lizarazo Sánchez, a prominent announcer and creator of the iconic comedy show ‘Sábados Felices’. In addition to his career in the media, Lizarazo served as a congressman.
The death of the communicator from Santander, aged 85, was confirmed by the comedian ‘Don Jediondo’, who was part of the television program. Preliminary information indicates that his death occurred around six in the evening at his residence in the El Golf neighborhood, in the north of the capital of Atlántico. With his passing, a fundamental chapter in the audiovisual history of the nation closes.
Born on December 29, 1940, in Bucaramanga, Lizarazo built a distinguished career in the media from a very young age. In the 1960s, he became a key figure in broadcasting in Bogotá, where he led stations such as Radio 15 and promoted the famous musical tours of the ‘Nueva Ola’, a movement that marked the youth of the time.
The father of ‘Sábados Felices’
His name was definitively inscribed in Colombian popular culture starting in 1972, the year he created and presented the program ‘Campeones de la Risa’.
This audiovisual proposal soon evolved to become ‘Sábados Felices’, a show he directed and hosted for more than two and a half decades.
Under Lizarazo’s leadership, the format not only served as a springboard for generations of humorists and comedians, but also established itself as the flagship program of weekend nights in Colombian households.
Alongside the television production, the cultural promoter integrated an important social dimension into his on-screen work. Through the initiative ‘Lleva una sonrisa’, he promoted charitable campaigns and the construction of educational and social infrastructure in various Colombian municipalities that required institutional support.
Alfonso Lizarazo was also a congressman
In 1998, he decided to step away from television cameras to dedicate himself to public service. That same year, he obtained a seat in Congress as a senator of the Republic for the 1998-2002 term. Once his legislative work concluded, he decided to settle permanently in the city of Barranquilla, where he spent his final years in retirement.
Various messages of surprise and sorrow flood social media following the news of Lizarazo’s death. “Rest in peace,” “God bless him,” “Always in our hearts,” “Fly high Alfonso”; are just some of the comments read.
A video posted on Instagram by comedian Marco Antonio Amaya shows moments he shared with the now deceased humorist.
“Tributes are made in life, and so it was with Alfonso Lizarazo Sánchez, who was my teacher, my friend, and my mentor. Mentor to many humorists and comedians who today bring smiles around the world, but Don Alfonso brought something much bigger: he brought little schools. Today I want to thank Alfonso for his teachings and opportunities. Thank you for your friendship. Today, as he embarked on that journey to eternity, do not forget that his cast awaits him there. God bless him,” said Amaya.
FELIPE SANTANILLA AYALA
LAST NEWS EDITORIAL
Read more Goodbye to Alfonso Lizarazo, the great heart behind Colombian good humor
