Irela Matute Bell

Actress and broadcaster. Awarded with multiple prizes throughout a fruitful career.

She was born in La Habana on July 24, 1953. She began her artistic studies at the School of Actor Training of the Cuban Institute of Broadcasting in 1971. A center that was organized and directed by the great actor Alejandro Lugo, and which had as professors great actors and directors of radio and television, such as Alden Knight, Alfredo Perojo, Julito Lot and other masters. Among the students of that memorable class were Cristina Obín, Míriam Vázquez, Natasha Díaz, Evelio Taillac, Susana Pérez, Ana Luisa Rubio, Cristina Palomino, Jorge Villazón, Maggie Castro, Teresita Rúa, Frank González, Annia Linares, María Esther Monteluz and Ana Nora Calaza

During her period of study she began to work as an actress on the radio, where she has alternated announcing and acting, in addition to venturing into cinema, theater and television.

She has dedicated much of her work to children's programming. In 1997 she received recognition from the Ministry of Education for her work in favor of children.

At Radio Progreso she was a relevant figure for years for her quality in soap operas, adventures, theater pieces, stories, historical programs and children's programs, among others.

On television she is also remembered as an actress, fundamentally in the Adventure El Halcón, alongside an extraordinary actor, who disappeared in the fullness of his ascending work, Jorge Villazón.

For this actress there are no big or small roles, because in all of them she grows to perform them with excellence.

On multiple occasions she has intervened as an actress in television dramas and for years she has had a successful career as host of the magazine "Entre tú y yo", a stellar program that has been broadcast on Cubavisión Channel since March 1999.

For her quality as an actress and broadcaster she has been repeatedly invited to participate as a judge in the National Festivals of Cuban Radio.

She has provided the voice for the character of María Silvia in the film and radio adventures of Elpidio Valdés, conceived by Juan Padrón, National Prize for Cinema and National Prize for Humor; with whom she has collaborated on the short films and the stories of Vampires in La Habana'.

Awards
1982 Award as broadcaster of Radio Progreso at the National Radio Festival
1988 Award as actress in the soap opera at the National Radio Festival.
1991 CARICATO Prize, the highest award granted by the Association of Performing Arts of UNEAC, as a radio actress on Radio Progreso.
1992 Another CARICATO Prize, as a radio actress on Radio Progreso.
1995 Award for the story at the National Radio Festival
1997 and 1998 Award at National Radio Festival.
1999 CARICATO Prize as a radio actress.
2000 and 2001 CARACOL Awards, the highest incentive granted by the Association of Radio, Cinema and Television of UNEAC as a television broadcaster.
2000 Award as actress for the Adventures El Medallón at the National Radio Festival.
2007 and 2008 National Award for hosting Entre tú y yo on Cubavisión.