Cuban Actor Mario Limonta Passes Away a Day Before Turning 89

The esteemed Cuban actor Mario Limonta, renowned for his contributions to theater, film, radio, and television, passed away this past Saturday afternoon in Havana, just one day shy of his 89th birthday. His passing was confirmed by the state-run portal Cubadebate, which reported that Limonta was admitted to the hospital on Thursday and placed in intensive care.

Throughout his illustrious career, Limonta left an indelible mark with the myriad roles he portrayed, particularly on Cuban television, where he became a beloved figure across multiple generations. Born in Guantánamo in 1936, he began his artistic journey in his hometown as a reciter on a local radio station.

His passion for the arts led him to Havana in 1955, where he initially pursued a degree in law. However, his dedication to the radio soon took precedence, and he abandoned his legal studies. In 1959, he joined the National Cuban Circuit, which later became known as Radio Rebelde, where his participation in dramatic programs caught the public's attention.

Limonta emerged as one of the most prominent figures in Cuba's performing arts scene. Alongside his late wife, Aurora Basnuevo, affectionately known as "La Mulatísima," Limonta made a lasting impact on the popular radio show "Alegrías de Sobremesa," where they portrayed the iconic characters Sandalio “El Bolao” and Estelvina.

Another of Limonta's memorable roles was that of "Sargento Arencibia" in the program "San Nicolás del Peladero," where he acted alongside notable figures such as María de los Ángeles Santana and Enrique Santiesteban.