Natalia Agustina Herrera Díaz

most prominent Cuban actresses, triumphant vedette, actress of profound dramatic depth and comic sense, has filled the cultural sphere for years and represented Cuba on foreign tours to which she brought the most authentic Cubanía.

She was born in Havana, daughter of René Herrera Dorticós and Trinidad Díaz Borrer.

From childhood her artistic gifts emerged, and by age nine she was already singing and dancing in the theatrical company Pedro Salvá.

1937.- She was selected as Rising Star of La Corte Suprema del Arte, an amateur program conducted by Germán Pinelli, to which she presented herself as a singer.

1938-39.- After outstanding work in La Corte Suprema del Arte, she makes her professional debut in a radio program titled Rincón Criollo. She shared the cast with Carlos Badía, Vicente Morín, Sol Pinelli and Clavelito.

1940-41.- She continues her work in radio, and was also contracted by Obdulio Morales to work in his theatrical company, standing out among other productions in the musical comedy Tambores.

1942.- She was a founder of work in Radio Cine. She also sang accompanied by the Hermanos Lebartadt orchestra.

1943-44.- She continues the radio program Rincón Criollo and on the CMQ station in El alma de las cosas. She begins working at Cabaret Edén Conset.

1945-46.- She does radio, cinema, cabaret and began singing on Radio Cadena Habana and CMQ.

1947.- She is contracted to work at Cabaret Pensylvania, where she performs alongside important figures of the country.

1948.- She was part of the cast of the novela El Derecha de Nacer by Felix B. Caignet which aired on CMQ.

1949.- She performed on Unión Radio in the program La Múcara, also in Las Mañanas Azules de R.H.C and La Alfombra Mágica. She worked alongside Joseito Fernández, singing and performing in the radio program La Guantanamera, on the Cadena Roja station by José A. Alonso. She was invited to the Fiesta Radial activity of the newspaper El País, to that of La Liga Antituberculosa de Pinar del Río, and to La Marquesina of the Hotel Saratoga.

1950.- Together with maestro Ernesto Lecuona she worked in the shows Las procalles de Camagüey at the Teatro América, where she sang the Zun-Zún. On Radio Cine, she performed for subscribers of the newspaper El País. She joined the cast of Cabaret Copacabana de Camagüey. She goes on tour through Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela and Puerto Rico.

1951.- Upon returning to Cuba, she is contracted by the owner of Cabaret Casablanca. She continues in radio and does Musical Magazine of Radio Progreso, participating for Partagás cigars, here she sings accompanied by the Conjunto Colonial of Nelo Sosa. She performed on Radio Cine and at Teatro Victoria. She tours Spain, Italy, France and Morocco.

1952.- She continues in radio, where she did La Mulata with Garrido and Piñeiro in the program Cascabeles Candado, worked in Nosotros los cubanos, directed by Gaspar Arias and singing on Radio Mambí. She began on television in the program Humo del Recuerdo, which broadcast works of Teatro Bufo, sponsored by H. Uppman cigars. She sang and danced in musical comedies at the Blanquita and Martí theaters. She is contracted to work in the show of the cabaret at the Hotel Flamingo in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

1953.- On radio she performs in the program Vivimos en Campo Alegre of Radio Progreso. She worked on the Midday Show, doing La Escuelita, by Arturo Liendo, directed by Amaury Pérez García, as well as La Taberna de Pedro, Desfile Musical and Humo del Recuerdo, all on television. She performed in shows at Teatro Tosca, the Palacio de los Yesistas, and at Cabaret Costa Azul in Cienfuegos. She travels to Venezuela to do theater, cabaret and radio. She sang in the program sponsored by Luky Stars. She continued touring Colombia, Haiti, Curacao and Ecuador.

1954.- Upon returning to Cuba she worked intensively on television in the programs: Cuba ríe con Cristal, with Adolfo Otero and Julito Díaz, La Taberna de Pedro, with Alvariño and Echegoyen, Leche de Magnesia, Alégrese con Freska, Fiestas de Bacardí, Carabina de Hit, as well as in Rita y Willy, with Rita Montaner and Álvarez Guede. She is contracted to work in the cabaret show Pasapoca and at Isora Club. At Teatro Mariel, she acted and sang alongside Pototo, Filomeno and Mimí Cal. This year Radio Centro was inaugurated and she was called to work in the program Ron Pinilla, with Germán Pinelli and Cascaritas. Also in Vodevil Cubano and in Estampas Criollas, where she sang guajiras. She continued doing La Mulata with Garrido and Piñeiro and short films sponsored by La Polar brewery.

1955.- She worked on the Midday Show on channel 6 of TV alongside Cholito, Manolo Alván and Julita la Mariposita, directed by Amaury Pérez García and also performed in the space Teatro en TV with the work Santa Elena and in the program Cuba ríe con Cristal. She does Mesa Cuadrada, both on radio and TV, and also the program Garrido, Piñeiro y Natalia. She is part of the cast for the inauguration show of Cabaret Rumayor Club in the city of P. del Río. She traveled to Peru, contracted to do radio and cabaret. On radio she does the program El Sol with the accompanying orchestra of Charles Rodríguez and in cabaret she worked at Grill Bolivia. She was also contracted by Guido Monteverde to do theater in the Cha Cha Chá company. Her work was recognized with the trophy El Guido that was given to the best foreign singer (shared on this occasion with Celia Cruz).

1956.- She is contracted to work with Carlos Pous in La Feria de la Paz in Santo Domingo. Upon returning to Cuba she continued doing La Mulata from the program La Tremenda Corte, by Garrido and Piñeiro on CMQ with Pototo, Filomeno and Mimí Cal, and also Voces de Cuba and Nosotros los Cubanos. On TV she performs the program Juan Ramos y Domitila and Jueves de Partagás. She was invited to work in the theatrical show Show de Prensa Libre and at cabaret El Bambú.

1957.- She traveled to the USA and performed at the Apollo Theater, alongside Candita Quintana, El Chino Wong and Viejito Briguier in a teatro bufo show; she also performs in Miami at the Flagler and Casini theaters. With the Carlos Pous company she travels to Santo Domingo to work in theater, cabaret, radio and TV. Upon returning to the country she debuted at Teatro Martí with the musical comedy Las Follies Internacionales. On TV she does Los Líos de Papá under the direction of Roberto Garriga, Frente a la Calle, Guateque de Apolonio and Telemundo. She performs at Cabaret Rumba Palace with the musical comedy Barco Platanero; she sings at Teatro Alameda and at the Arcade of Hotel Sevilla, in musical moments, accompanied by Bebo Valdés and Eddy Gaytán. She made shorts as an actress in Cine Revistas de Cine Leal.

1958.- She continued in radio in the programs Nuestros Artistas of CMBF and Voces de Cuba. She is contracted to work at Casino Parisién of Hotel Nacional, at Hotel Sevilla, at Cabaret Alloy Club and at Club Intermenso. On TV she participates in El Show de Osvaldo Farré.

1959.- She works at Teatro Martí in the musical comedy Show de Roblan. She performs in musical reviews at Cabarets Bambú, Autopista, Tropicana and Riviera, at the latter she sings alongside Ramón Calzadilla.

1960.- She travels to San José, Costa Rica, with Carlos Pous's new company and they continue touring Panama. Back in Cuba, she works at the Liceo de San Antonio de Río Blanco in a musical show, she also joins the cast of Cabaret Los Troncos in Havana and participates in the shows of the Carnival Floats of Havana and Santiago de Cuba, in the first socialist carnivals, which were celebrated this year.

1961.- On TV she worked in the programs Noche Cubana, Juntos a las 9, Teatro Cubano and in the space Aventuras she did Los Mambíses directed by Vázquez Gallo. On radio she does Variedades de Radio Progreso; Sabor y ritmo at 7.

1962.- In the unforgettable program San Nicolás del Peladero, she plays the Sister of Remigia La Alcaldesa, which was played by María de los Ángeles Santana, and later the Woman of Cheo Malanga (Enrique Arredondo) and Mami Chula de Montezuma. In Cachucha y Ramón she did Mariíta, among other characters.

1963.- Throughout the year she continued her work in our country on TV, radio, cabaret and theater.

1964.- She worked in Sala Idal, alongside the unforgettable Alicia Rico in the work El Avejón Rey. On TV she plays the role of the Manager alongside Martha del Río in Casos y Cosas de Casa; she also works in El frente de la calle, and in Hay que estar claro.

1965.- She is called by ICAIC to work in the film Tulipa. On radio she works alongside Asenneth Rodríguez and Reinaldo Miravalles in Casa de mi Vecino. On TV she participates in the star programs Noche de Sábado and Detrás de la Fachada, with Enrique Arredondo, Consuelo Vidal and Cepero Brito.

1966.- She participates in the show at the Salón Rojo of Hotel Capri, in the Ranchón Club of Isla de la Juventud and in the show prepared by ICR in San Antonio de los Baños.

1967.- She performs at ICR Teatro Los Apuros de un Fanático and also in La Madre, by Maxim Gorky alongside Ana Lasalle.

1968.- Under the direction of Julio Lot, she begins working in the Novelas Cubanas space on radio, and continues doing theater and TV.

1969.- She is called to work in the musical shows of the Jagua and Internacional hotels in Varadero and at Cabaret Costa Azul in Cienfuegos.

1970.- She was invited to work in the musical show Alegría y Juventud. Throughout the year she sang on Radio Rebelde and Radio Progreso, continued in the Novelas Cubanas space.

1971.- In Teatro en TV she played the role of Cuca in the work Santa Camila de La Habana Vieja, alongside Carlos Gilí and Asenneth Rodríguez. She worked in the space Horizontes and in Palmas y Cañas, singing alongside Ramón Velóz and Coralia Fernández.

1972.- In the work Cecilia Valdés she played Mercedes Ayala alongside Margarita Díaz. She sang in an activity at La Fragua Martiana accompanied at the piano by maestros Rodrigo Prats and David Rondón.

1973.- She performed in theatrical shows at La Liga Contra la Ceguera and at Cabaret Brisas del Caney, alongside Enrique Arredondo. On TV she worked in the space Cuentos, directed by Gómez Reyes.

1974.- In the ICR Teatro space, she works in the play Madre, by a Puerto Rican author, under the artistic direction of Ana Lasalle, where she performs alongside Josefina Enriquez and Antonia Valdés. She was contracted to work at Cabaret Costa Azul in Cienfuegos.

1975.- She continues her work on radio and does Después que llegó Colón, Gente de nuestra América and Qué piensa usted Profesor. She participates in musical shows as a guest.

1976.- In ICR Teatro she works in the play La Chaqueta with Carlos Montezuma and María de los Ángeles Santana. She participated in activities at La Fragua Martiana.

1977.- She performs at ICR Teatro in Vida y Muerte Severina. On radio she plays important roles in the Novela Cubana space and other programs.

1978-79.- On TV she performed in ICR Teatro in Santa Camila de La Habana Vieja, in a special production aired as a greeting to the World Festival of Youth, with Asenneth Rodríguez and Adolfo Llauradó. She continued her work in cabaret, theater and radio.

1980.- She worked in ICR Teatro in the play Hospital with Ángel Toraño and in La Pérgola de las Flores with Coralia Fernández. Also in the radio programs Móvil 8, Sector 40 and Alegrías de sobremesa in the character of Carmita Carmona.

1981.- At Teatro Karl Marx, she performs in the staging of the opera-son Échale salsita by Alejandro García Virulo, alongside Carlos Montezuma, Carlos Ruiz de la Tejera, Sara González and Edwin Fernández among others.

1982.- She continues her radio appearances with the broadcast of El cañaveral, by Paco Alfonso, in the Radio Teatro space. She appears in the cast of ICR Teatro Lila la Mariposa under the direction of Loly Buján. She regularly appears in variety shows at the Central House of the FAR. Again on television, in La Comedia del Domingo with No es tan fiero el león, by Lucas Tarragó, as well as in other programs such as Nuestros hijos, Para bailar, and in Si no fuera por mamá, a humorous serial written by Enrique Núñez Rodríguez. New appearances in radio spaces such as Meridiano, Noche de sábado and Gente de nuestra América.

1983.- She works in the show Lola a la pelota, directed by José A. Rodríguez, alongside Carlos Montezuma, Farah María and Alfredo Rodríguez, at Teatro Karl Marx. She performs in a show during the Humor Festival in Santiago de Cuba. She participates in an Artistic Brigade directed by Bernardo Menéndez with performances in Matanzas, Sancti Spíritus and other provinces. She is part of the cast of Teatro en TV La Rosa tatuada alongside Rosita Fornés, Luis Alberto Ramírez and Elvira Cervera among others. On radio she works in Información jurídica, Novela cubana, Noche de sábado, and Al mal tiempo buena cara.

In Las impuras, alongside José A. Rodríguez, Ramoncito Veloz, Rosa Mª Medel, and other popular actors and actresses.

1984.- With the Artistic Brigade directed by Eddy Vidal she performed at Círculo Social Marcelo Salado, the Teatro de Melena del Sur, in Santa Cruz del Norte and at the Círculo Social de Caibarien. A dozen appearances on TV, among which stand out interventions in the ICR Teatros Mefistófeles, directed by Roberto Garriga, Después de un final feliz, alongside Armando Bianchi, Las Impuras also directed by Roberto Garriga, and Gracias por su visita directed by Joaquín M. Condall. She continues working weekly in the popular Detrás de la fachada. Performances in La Esclava contra el árabe at Teatro Karl Marx, a musical comedy by Virulo, alongside Carlos Ruiz, Tatica, Jorge Guerra, Ana Lidia Méndez, Carmen Ruiz and Virulo himself among others. She appears as a singer in variety shows at Teatro de Melena del Sur at the Skoda factory in Artemisa, at the Psychiatric Hospital of Havana. She does increasingly more radio in the spaces Novela Cubana and Gente de nuestra América of Radio Liberación with titles such as Crónica de una muerte anunciada, Fuente de Triunfo, Calle Abajo, Caso de Archivo, Historia de Mujer, and Paraíso Recobrado, among others. She joins another Artistic Brigade of ICR and Eddy Vidal with performances at the Universal Hall of the FAR. Tours of Matanzas, Holguín, Moa with La Esclava contra el árabe.

1985.- On television she continues appearing in Si no fuera por Mamá, with Martha del Río, Edwin Fernández and Litico among others. Also in the humorous space Ajiaco by Eduardo Rómulo, in Los Domingos no están contados by Lolina Cuadras, the comedy Coartada Perfecta on channel 6, Todos Estrellas and la Rebambaramba (also on channel 6). She performs in El Derecho de Nacer in the Novela Cubana space of Radio Liberación, under the direction of Oscar Luis López, in La Resaca del Tiempo directed by Eloína Fernández and in Caso de Archivo directed by Sol Pinelli, among other forays into Cuban television.

1986.- New musical comedy by Virulo El Bateus de Amadeus with the National Company of Spectacles at Teatro Karl Marx. La Esclava contra el árabe travels to Angola.

1987.- She created an Amateur Artistic Brigade with a didactic show about Teatro Bufo and its classic characters of the negro, the mulata and the Spaniard, with which she staged several works and performed in dozens of places. New presentations of El Bateus de Amadeus at Teatro Karl Marx. She performs at the V Humor Festival in San Antonio de los Baños. Presentation of La Esclava contra el árabe at the Universal Hall of the FAR. She appears in the casts of several Así era entonces, a television comedy on channel 6 directed by Yaki Ortega. She performs in the theatrical comedy Vedette para el Diablo at Teatro Mella. With the Artistic Brigade of ICR directed by Eddy Vidal she performs at the Artemisa Cabaret and at the Teatro María Teresa Vera of the same municipality.

1988.- She conducts an artistic tour through Ethiopia with an ICR Brigade. On television she works in the programs Todos estrellas.

1989.- Another artistic tour, this time through the South of the People's Republic of Angola with an Artistic Brigade of ICR. On television she appears in the space El Cuento with La Novia and in the usual Así era entonces on channel 6.

1990.- Recordings of several musical numbers with the Conjunto Campo alegre. She works daily in the recordings of numerous regular programs of Radio Liberación.

1991.- Performances in Cabarets with the Artistic Brigades of María Esther Monteluz and Eddy Vidal, while during the day she continues working on radio.

1992.- She receives the Majadahonda distinction from UNEAC for her artistic contribution to the internationalist cause.

1993.- She performs at the Cabaret de Jagüey Grande, singing in the Artistic Brigade directed by Bernardo Menéndez. She did two Teatro Radio directed by Bernardo Menéndez and Mariana Ramírez Corría on Radio Liberación.

1994.- She performs in the films Reina y Rey and Guantanamera by Tomás Gutierrez Alea, as well as in Maité (Cuban-Spanish co-production). She continues directing her own Artistic Brigade dedicated to rescuing teatro bufo. She participates in the serial Día y Noche directed by Abel Ponce on channel 6 of Cuban TV.

1995.- She performs in the show Qué ocho patas para una mesa alongside the humorous groups Cuchilla and Punto y coma, and Enriquito Arredondo, at Teatro América. She appears in the programs Sabadazo, Contacto and in La Noche se mueve the latter directed by Ruddy Mora (son), all on channel 6 of television. She performs in the documentary Divas por Amor by Adolfo Llauradó. She participates in the 1st International Television Festival, in the Avellaneda Room of the National Theater of Cuba.

1996.- She performs in two ICR Artistic Brigades and at the Peña del Museo de 13 y 70, Playa. She does Humus in vitro on channel 6 of television.

1997.- The TV programs Jugando con la muerte and Sangre ajena, Los hombres que amaron a Margot, El Médico with Enrique Almirante, El Martillador and La Medicina had her in their casts. She performs in the films De regreso a Cuba and Zafiros, locura azul.

1998.- She intervenes in a dramatized television serial dedicated to the achievements and tasks of the CDR.

1999.- She performs in short films produced at the International Film School of San Antonio de los Baños. She participates in the Cuban films Las profecías de Amanda by Pastor Vega and Tropicana, un paraíso bajo las estrellas by Gerardo Chijona. Guest of the humorous TV program Y tú de qué te ríes and in the police serial Día y Noche: Propietario del Alba. She is a jury member of the Amateur Festival Aquelarre.

2000.- Another Día y Noche: La Maja desnuda by director Abel Ponce. She is invited by Edesio Alejandro to sing at a concert offered by the singer-songwriter at Casa de las Américas.

At the tribute that our CNiAE offered her in the year 2001, within the activities for International Theater Day.

2001.- She performs in an activity honoring the Cuba Baseball Team.

2001.- The National Center for Research in Scenic Arts pays her tribute for her long trajectory as an actress. At the Center's headquarters, Natalia's coworkers and friends gather to congratulate her and celebrate with her, one afternoon in March, during the celebrations for International Theater Day.

2003. The National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC) and the Cuban Institute of Radio and Television (ICRT) offer Natalia a tribute for her 80 years of life, with a party attended by notable figures of Cuban culture.

2004. Natalia is decorated as an Emeritus Artist of Cuban Radio and Television, media in which she continues to work frequently, in novels, teleplays, and humorous programs, as well as in Cuban cinema. This same year, she receives the NATIONAL TELEVISION PRIZE.

Awards and Recognitions

In 1955, her work was recognized with the Trophy El Guido that was given to the best foreign singer (shared on this occasion with Celia Cruz).
In 1992, she receives the Majadahonda Distinction from the National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba UNEAC for her artistic contribution to the internationalist cause.
In 2001, the National Center for Research in Scenic Arts pays tribute to her for her long trajectory as an actress. At the Center's headquarters, Natalia's coworkers and friends gather to congratulate her and celebrate with her, one afternoon in March, during the celebrations for International Theater Day.
In 2003. The National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC) and the Cuban Institute of Radio and Television (ICRT) offer Natalia a tribute for her 80 years of life, with a party attended by notable figures of Cuban culture.
In 2004, she is decorated as an Emeritus Artist of Cuban Radio and Television, media in which she continues to work with great frequency, in novels, teleplays, and humorous programs, as well as in Cuban cinema.
In 2004 she receives the National Television Prize.
In 2010, she receives the National Prize for Humor.