Magdalena Martinez m. 1937-1948, Micaela Vargas m. 1948-1955, Rosalia m. 1956-1973
Children
Rosalia, Carlos, Olga, Luis Javier, Genaro Cipriano
Relatives
Julio Francisco (grandson), Olga (grand daughter), Elsa (grand daughter), Andrew (great-grandson), Paul-Anthony (great-grandson), Ian (great-grandson), Antonio (great-grandson), Gavin (great-grandson), Liam (great-grandson), Tony (grandson), Ruth (grand daughter), Mackenzy (great-grandchild)
Germán Genaro Cipriano Teodoro Gómez Valdés y Castillo (19 September 1915 – 29 June 1973), known professionally as Tin-Tan, was a Mexican actor, singer and comedian who was born in Mexico City but was raised and began his career in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. He often displayed the pachuco dress and employed pachuco slang in many of his movies, some with his brothers Manuel "El Loco" Valdés and Ramón Valdés. He made the language of the border Mexican, known in Spanish as fronterizos pachucos, famous in Mexico. A "caló" based in Spanglish, it was a mixture of Spanish and English in speech based on that of Mexicans on the Mexican side of the border, specifically Ciudad Juarez.[1]
Origin of name
Tin-Tan began his career by calling himself Topillo (slang for the trickster), which a friend of his stated sounded too vulgar and uncouth for a comedian. He suggested instead the nickname "Tin-Tan" (based on the sound of bells ringing), which Valdés originally disliked but grew to like and use professionally for his whole career.[2]
Career
Valdés in 1953
Valdés's film career came as a complete surprise to everyone. He used to work as a sweeper for the XEJ station in Ciudad Juarez when he decided to try to mimic the radio announcers for fun. Unbeknownst to him, the actual announcer had left the microphone on. His quick wit and funny personality garnered him acclaim and he was quickly promoted to the main radio announcer himself. It was under these circumstances that legendary ventriloquistPaco Miller contacted him to act in films, and his career began.[3]
He usually acted alongside his "carnal" (blood brother), Marcelo Chávez, who also accompanied Tin-Tan with a guitar. He was a prominent figure during his golden years in film, from 1949 onward. His 1948 film, Calabacitas tiernas, a comedy, was chosen as one of the best in Mexican cinema [citation needed].
He was also one of several people who were originally intended to be on the front cover of The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band but declined the invitation. He requested that Ringo swap him for a Mexican tree known as "El Árbol de la Vida", the Tree of Life, which he did. [citation needed]
Valdés was the subject of the 2005 documentary, Ni Muy Muy... Ni Tan Tan... Simplemente Tin Tán, by Manuel Márquez and Carlos Valdés, son of the comedian.
Death
Valdés with his brother Antonio, c. 1960sThe Valdés brothers; Ramón (gray suit, first on the left), Antonio (plaid shirt), Germán (gray suit, center) and Manuel (black suit, last in the second row from the right) in 1958
Valdés became ill with hepatitis[when?], which degenerated into cancer. He then fell into a hepatic coma and died on 29 June 1973 (at age 57).
When he died he did not leave a fortune, just a testament to his wife Rosalía and his children Rosalía and Carlos.[citation needed]
He left behind a legacy of over a hundred films, 11 records, and two short films. The only recognition he received was the Virginia Fábregas Medal, a medal given for 25 years' professional service by the Association of Actors of Mexico.
Legacy
On 19 September 2019, the 104th anniversary of his birth, Tin-Tan was honored with a Google Doodle that reached Central America, Iceland, Italy and Sweden.[6]
^"Tin Tan Festival to be held in Juarez at Mercado Juarez". elpasotimes.com. El Paso Times. 19 September 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2022. Germán Genaro Cipriano Teodoro Gómez Valdés de Castillo, better known as Tin-Tan was an actor, singer and comedian who was born in Mexico City
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