José Luis Rodríguez

Life and career

José Luis Rodríguez was born in Caracas, Venezuela to José Antonio Rodríguez from the Canary Islands, Spain and Ana González a Venezuelan housewife. He lost his father at the age of six, and was raised by his mother (an illiterate then, learned to read as an adult to read the Bible) along with 11 brothers and sisters. He grew up in very modest conditions, having to shine shoes, and pack bags in a supermarket for a living at an early age. Without an academic formation, he shaped himself as a singer and actor by empirical means.

As his mother participated in the revolt against Marcos Pérez Jiménez (holding weapons and hiding politicians in her home), Rodríguez lived in exile in Ecuador with her and his brother, for a couple of years.

In 1974, Rodriguez was selected by Venevision to represent Venezuela in the third edition of the prestigious OTI Festival which was held in the Mexican city of Acapulco. There, his entry, the song "Vuélvete" (Return) found a warm reception, therefore gaining recognition for his country by winning the third-place prize with 11 points.

Rodríguez surfaced in his homeland in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and was able to build a fan base there. He also participated in a famous commercial, along with his family during that time, for Ace detergents. Rodríguez went to Puerto Rico, where he participated in the Telenovela Cristina Bazán, alongside Johanna Rosaly and young Adamari López. It was there that he received his nickname, El Puma. Later, he also made the telenovela, El ídolo, with Cuban actress Marilyn Pupo, playing Omar Contreras (a.k.a. El Puma).

Rodríguez's main money revenue, however, was his singing career. His hits included Dueño de nada, Pavo real and Agárrense de las manos. With the second, he caused controversy at the 1982 contest of Miss Universe, which was being held in Lima, Peru; the song's main issue was interracial marriage.

Later, Rodríguez participated in the Latin American Spanish version of Meet the Robinsons, La Familia del Futuro, as Wilbur Robinson's father. El Puma also starred in an advertising campaign for Wrigley's Eclipse gum, with the spot drawing on his persona, using humor and kitsch to highlight the tagline, "Libera el Puma que hay en tí" (Free the puma within). Another commercial that drew on his puma persona during that era was one for Snickers chocolate bars.

In May 2009, Rodriguez joined the cast of the miniseries, Gabriel, produced for the Hispanic audience in the United States by Megafilms and transmitted by Mega TV. The miniseries, released in November of the same year is based on the themes of vampirism and occultism.

In July 2012, he was a judge and voice trainer on La Voz... Argentina (Argentine version of The Voice) that was broadcast on Telefe. Along with co-presenters Fernán Martínez and Carolina Ramírez, he served as a judge on a dance program called La Pista which was aired on Caracol TV in Colombia. In the same year he also made a cameo appearance in the film, Casa de mi Padre, starring Will Ferrell.

In August 2013, Rodríguez was part of the first season of La Voz Perú, where he was coach for one of the four teams. On 20 December, one of his pupils, young Daniel Lazo, placed first in the competition, making Rodríguez the first winning coach in the history of La Voz Perú.

In September 2013 in an interview with the Peruvian newspaper, La República, Rodríguez expressed that he would continue to perform music but cease to produce records because of piracy.

Personal life

Rodríguez was married to Lila Morillo from 1966 to 1986. They are the parents of actresses Lilibeth Rodríguez and Liliana Rodríguez. Rodríguez fathered Génesis Rodríguez with Cuban-born model Carolina Pérez, whom he ultimately married in 1997.

Health

He underwent a double lung transplant due to pulmonary fibrosis in December 2017.

Select album discography

1963: 2 Sets Con Billo

1964: Billo En Colombia

1964: Billo En Santo Domingo

1964: Cantares De Navidad

1964: Billo En Puerto Rico

1965: El Yo-Yo

1965: Billo Y Su Música

1965: Fin de Año

1965: Mosaico 17

1966: La Renga

1966: Anoche no dormí

1966: De 1937 a 1966 Bailando con Billo

1966: Felices Fiestas

1967: Se necesitan dos

1974: Mi Fe

1975: Los Temas De Mis Telenovelas

1976: Una Nueva Canción

1977: Una Canción De España (TH/Top Hits)

1977: Jose Luis De América

1979: Voy A Perder La Cabeza

1980: Atrévete

1980: Cantando Éxitos De Siempre (Discos CBS International)

1982: La Historia Del Idolo

1982: Dueño De Nada

Billboard Hot Latin Songs

Y Tú También Llorarás (#1)

Baila Mi Rumba (Ritmo de San Martín) (#1)

Torero (con Julio Iglesias) (#1)

Boca, Dulce Boca (#2)

Sueño Contigo (#3)

La Fiesta (#3)

Esa Chica Me Vacila (#5)

Rodando Caminos (#8)

Señora Bonita (#10)

No Me Quieras Tanto (con Los Panchos) (#12)

Por Esa Mujer (#13)

Esta Vez (#14)

Se Me Hace Agüita la Boca (#18)

Vale la Pena Volver (#18)

Rayito de Luna (con Los Panchos) (#22)

Si Pudiera (#29)

Tengo Derecho a Ser Feliz (#29)

De Punta a Punta (#34)

Yo Quiero Ser Tu Amor (#35)

Alguien Tiene Que Ceder (#40)

Dame, Dame (#48)

Telenovelas

1963: Cuentos para mayores

1966: Cantando nace el amor

1967: Donde no llega el sol

1967: Club musical

1967: El retrato de mamá

1968: Pent House

1969: Las golfas

1969: El roble

1970: La satánica

1970: El ciego

1970: Los Juniors

1971: La consentida de papá

1972: Indio

1972: Porque los hombres pecan

1972: Simplemente María

1972: Alma Rosa

1973: Chinita mi amor

1974: Una muchacha llamada Milagros as Omar Contreras "El Puma"

1975: Isabelita

1975: Señorita Elena

1975: Mamá

1976: Carolina

1977: Tormento

1977: La Hija de Juana Crespo

1978: Cristina Bazán

1978: Residencia de señoritas

Reality shows

2024 - Mask Singer: Adivina quién canta 4 (Contestant as Avocado)

2024 - Top Chef VIP 3 (Contestant)

2022 - Canta Conmigo Ahora 1 (Judge)

2014 - La Voz Perú 2 (Judge)

2013 - La Voz Perú 1 (Judge)

2012 - La Voz Argentina 1 (Judge)