Centurión, Popular Comedian in Cuba Before Emigrating to Miami, Dies

June 30, 2024

Cuban comedian Francisco Andrés Centurión, the name by which he became known in the entertainment world, died at the age of 81 in the city of Miami, where he emigrated more than three decades ago, after enjoying great popularity on the island.

The artist, born in the town of Jaruco in 1942, was considered one of the leading figures of Cuban humor between 1980 and 1990, thanks to brilliant impersonations of famous artists and his performances with the puppet Francisquito, according to several reports on social media.

The widespread recognition from the Cuban public, who enjoyed him through appearances on television programs and other shows, faded upon his arrival in the United States, where he did not continue his artistic career.

In his new city of residence, he dedicated himself to various facets of the commercial sector, such as selling houses in Miami-Dade County.

For several decades he remained anonymous, until in 2014 his name appeared on a list of detainees, allegedly a member of a network dedicated to defrauding home insurance companies in South Florida, which embezzled more than 7 million dollars.

According to reports from that time, the authorities did not include him among the 14 people sentenced in that case, which served to prove the innocence of the former comedian.

According to his statement at the time, his appearance in the case was due to the fact that he appeared as the owner of one of the houses that were damaged to collect insurance compensation on the contracted policies.

Centurión said that, although he was the owner of the property, he had it rented at that time, so he had no connection whatsoever with the fraud network.

So far, the causes of his death have not come to light, which has generated expressions of solidarity and affection from those who enjoyed his time as an actor.