Guest Voz - Michael Lopez: Mexican Icon Cantinflas To Be Honored On 100th Birthday

Guest Voz - Michael Lopez from Blogamole: Sure Cantinflas never won an Academy Award or grossed a billion dollars at the box office, but that doesn't mean his cinematic impact wasn't felt. In fact, many regard the Mexican movie star as a cultural icon on the same level as Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe. And in his home country, millions are planning to honor his memory as his 100th birthday approaches next month.

Born into an impoverished family, Mario Moreno started his career as a local prizefighter. From there, he branched off into circus performing and eventually film and television. After adopting the stage name Cantinflas, he became world famous for channeling the role of a comedic underdog in over 50 Spanish films. He even made his way to Hollywood, earning a Golden Globe for his part in 1956's Around The World In 80 Days. Cantinflas received numerous lifetime achievement awards before his death in 1993 and has become even more iconic since. And as his big centennial celebration approaches, you can expect even more Cantinflas news and merchandise circulating to the masses.
Mexico City is choosing to honor Cantinflas by erecting over 125 of his paintings and photographs throughout its busiest districts. His son Mario Moreno Ivanova is also closely involved with the celebration and seemed very excited about kicking off the festivities.

"Estoy aquí presente para recordar a mi papá para iniciar los homenajes este día, no importa quién los haga; mientras sea homenajeado y sea recordado y celebrado, para mí es un honor," he stated.
But don't think the honors stop there. Throughout the country, there will ongoing screenings of popular Cantinflas films, commemorative stamps, and a new pictorial book with personal Moreno anecdotes. And stateside Cantinflas fans are in for a big treat too. Former NBC head Ben Silverman is currently working on a big budget biopic of the actor, which will be directed by Alejandro Monteverde.

Are you a fan of Cantinflas? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.