Evelio Taillacq

Evelio was born in the town of Falcón in the province of Las Villas. He died in Miami at the age of 67 from pancreatic cancer.

He studied at the University of La Habana, where he earned his degree in History of Art, and at the School of Performing Arts of the Cuban Institute of Radio and Television. Taillacq became known on island television as a central figure in "El rojo y el negro", "Las ilusiones perdidas" and "Crimen y castigo", among other dramatized programs and radio shows.

He worked with Susana Pérez who has expressed: "He was a great lover of Cuban culture. I was always impressed by his sincerity and his eagerness to learn".

He left Cuba through the Mariel Boatlift in 1980. In exile the artist developed an intense career as an actor, entertainer, radio host, producer, novelist and journalist in radio, television and print media in both Miami and Puerto Rico.

Among the most remembered programs were El Show de Evelio Taillacq, Cine Millonario, both on Telemundo, and Puerto Rican television programs Mucho Gusto (PBS), Gózatelo al mediodía and La gran noche de Hello WAPA.

At the microphones of Radio Mambí he hosted the magazines ¡Qué cosa más dura!, with the late comedian Normita Suárez, and De todo con Evelio Taillacq. He was also co-host of Noticias 23, alongside Leticia Callava, European correspondent for Univision and collaborator of Radio Nacional de España.

Regarding his theater work, since his arrival in Miami he participated in productions of La libertad prestada, his theatrical debut in that city, La noche de los asesinos, Falsa Alarma and La última parada, among about twenty titles. Not to mention that his passion for theater led him to found, direct and teach acting classes at the now-defunct Centro Dramático Antonin Artaud and even buy a theater, La Danza, which he had to close due to economic problems.

Taillacq is the author of the novels Endiablado deseo and La Habana de los mil demonios.