Alicia Rico

Cuban actress, one of the most original figures of Cuban vernacular theater.

She was born in Pinar del Río, Cuba. When she was only one year old, her parents decided to move to La Habana.

Among her artistic background was her aunt Balbina Rico, who had been successful in Buenos Aires as an actress, and her uncle Luís Vázquez Valencia, who painted stage sets.

Alicia was characterized on the stage of the Martí in likeable characters typical of popular environments, mainly those of "the gossipy old woman" and "the Galician woman."

She participated in the plays, La justicia del inocente, La reina de los enanos, and Camina como químico.

She played different characters on stage: maids, peasant girls, mulatas, silly girls, and fine black women or from the tenements, though all were her favorites.

At the age of sixteen, she was contracted by the famous entrepreneur Regino López to join his company.
She joined Regino López's companies at the Teatro Alhambra in 1921.

From Francisco Soto "Sotico" 1927–1928, Ramón Espígul, and from Roberto Rodríguez "Bolito."

She toured the entire island and made tours through Mexico, Puerto Rico, Tampa, and New York.

In Hispanic theaters, she was contracted for nine seasons during the 1930s.

She also was part of the Cuban zarzuela company, Suárez Rodríguez 1932, 1934–1936. And in those of Garrido and Piñero (in the 1940s).

She worked in radio, television, and film in 1950.

In her final years she performed at the Martí theater.

She died in La Habana on December 29, 1966, a few hours after her final performance.