Pedro Gonzales Gonzales, who appeared in the 1969 episode of Mayberry RFD
entitled Sister Cities in which he played the role of Santos, has died. the
full Associated Press story appears below. Pedro's brother, Juan, appeared
on TAGS in episode 222, A Trip to Mexico, in the role of the shopkeeper.
Paul Gilkes
Sidney, Ohio
CULVER CITY, California (AP) -- Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez, a comedic
entertainer and character actor who appeared in John Wayne films and other
movies, has died. He was 80.
Gonzalez Gonzalez died of natural causes at his home February 6, said his
grandson, actor Clifton Collins Jr.
Gonzalez Gonzalez began his entertainment career at age 7, when his parents
pulled him out of school to entertain migrant workers and residents in the
American Southwest.
In 1953, he appeared as a contestant on Groucho Marx's TV quiz show You Bet
Your Life, and his banter with the legendary entertainer stole the show.
John Wayne saw the performance and signed Gonzalez Gonzalez to his
production company.
The films with Wayne, among them The High and the Mighty, Rio Bravo and
Hellfighters, and guest appearances on such TV series as Gunsmoke made
Gonzalez Gonzalez one of the most recognizable Mexican-American actors at
the time.
Because he often played sterotypical roles, had a heavy accent and
frequently served as comic relief, Gonzalez Gonzalez was criticized in later
years as perpetuating negative Latino images.
But his grandson said Gonzalez Gonzalez took what roles were available.
The early end to his education meant he never learned to read or write.
Collins said his grandfather memorized lines by having his wife read to him,
and that if a script changed, directors would feed him lines on the set.
Gonzalez Gonzalez, whose name was a traditional combination of his mother's
and father's identical surnames, is survived by his wife, Leandra, three
children and other descendants.
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