On Friday, Roberto Gómez Bolaños, known for his iconic roles as El Chavo del 8 and El Chapulin Colorado, died of a heart attack in Cancun, Mexico at the age of 85.
The actor and director had been suffering from deteriorating health in recent years. Most recently in May, doctors had lost hope for a full recovery, according to Univision Noticias.
Bolaños was born in 1929 in Mexico City. He studied engineering at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) before dedicating himself full-time to writing scripts for television and film.
His popular sketch comedy show Chespirito debuted in 1968, that spawned his now famous characters like El Chavo and El Chapulin Colorado.
El Chavo del 8, his most famous show, lasted from 1971 to 1992. The show was a staple of Mexican television, and reached audiences throughout Latin America and the United States.
Twitter reacted to the news with sad and beautiful homages to someone who greatly impacted their childhoods.
THERE GOES MY WHOLE CHILDHOOD, HE WAS SO ADORABLE #Chespirito
my childhood 😭 RIP #Chespirito
Cartoonist Lalo Alcaraz shared this after his death.
A little piece of my childhood went to Heaven today... #Chespirito
Sin Querer Queriendo. #Chespirito #RobertoGomezBolanos . You will never be forgotten. Thank You.
Welp, my childhood died #ElChavodel8 #Chespirito if anyone needs me I'll be in the fetal position till next year.
Good Night Sweet Prince #Chespirito
so sad to see a legend go 😔 he brought so much laughter to my family. #chespirito
Now who will defend us? #RPI #Chespirito :(
Latinamerica lost a hero and an icon #Chespirito
Thanks for all the laughs. His shows made my childhood badass. #rip #Chespirito
This made me cry, thanks for the amazing childhood. #Chespirito #DEPRobertoGomezBolanos
#Chespirito oh god this pic make me cry!!😢😢😢 thank u for everything! A great part of my childhood has gone!!
Maria Antonieta de las Nieves, who played La Chilindrina on El Chavo del 8 said her heart is with him.
Así se despidió 'La Chilindrina' de Chespirito http://t.co/tGNd7DbPms #HastaSiempreChespirito @vickydavilalafm
She wrote on Facebook:
Today, November 28, 2014, is a day that will touch the hearts of many generations – the death of Roberto Gomez Bolaños. Extraordinary comic, writer, actor, producer, and human being. Aside from the friction we had in the last years, which wasn't really with him, he was a great example, and a great friend...I send my deepest condolences to everyone, and everyone of his kids and family members... and his fans. My heart is with you. Thank you for all the laughs... for all the hours of team work... for being a great human being... you take with you a piece of my heart.
In a Univision interview earlier this year, with her father's health failing, his daughter Marcela Gómez Fernández spoke about their foundation and his quiet work to help children.
Bolaños is survived by his second wife, Florinda Meza, and six children from his previous marriage and 12 grandchildren. When his health was first failing, he sent out a message for all of the support from fans.
"Thanks everyone for writing me everyday, it's lovelyyyy! I love you all, Chespirito."
¡Gracias a todos, lo que me escriben cada día, es hermososisisisisisisisisísimo! Lo amo, Chespirito.