Norma Candal

Norma Candal

Norma Candal (April 10, 1930 – February 5, 2006), was an actress and comedian who was best known for her role as "Petunia".

Early years

Candal was born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico and lived with her family in the Fajardo Sugar Co. sugar plantation where her father was an accountant. She went to the "Colegio del Sagrado Corazon" (Sacred Heart School) in her hometown, where she obtained her primary and secondary education. When she was 9 years old, she participated in her first Christmas school play.^[1]

Candal enrolled in the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón, where she earned a Bachelors Degree in Humanities. She was planning on a political career and was going to study political sciences, however after she was granted a scholarship to The Catholic University of America (CUA) in Washington, D.C., she changed her goals and went on to earn her Masters Degree in Theater. Candal returned to Puerto Rico upon her graduation.^[1]

"Petunia"

In 1965, she was hired by Rafael Perez Perry as the host of the television show "En Alas de la Imaginacion" (On the Wings of the Imagination) which aired on "WIPR TV" Channel 11. Shortly thereafter, she joined Tommy Muñiz Productions in Channel 4 WAPA TV.^[2]

It was during this period of time that Candal gained fame in Puerto Rico. She worked in the shows "Aquí con Norma" (Here with Norma); El Show del Mediodía (The Midday Show) and La Criada Malcriada (The Rude Maid) where she played the comical role of "Petunia", a "simple minded" maid, a role that would give her fame.^[3] She also hosted talk shows, either alone or with other co-hosts (including Sunshine Logroño)

In 1970, there was a strike against Tommy Muñiz Productions, which forced Candal to leave the show and join "ASTRA Productions" for which she did a couple of shows. Candal stopped working in television for several years after undergoing an open heart surgery in which she had a valve replacement.^[2]

In 1980, Candal went to work for Cardinal Luis Aponte Martinez at the Cathedral of San Juan. In 1985, she returned to television and starred as Doña Tere in La Pensión de Doña Tere (Mrs. Tere's Boarding House).^[1] Norma Candal also participated in the Spanish version of the play Steel Magnolias; The Letters of Mozart; The Old Maids of San Sebastian Street, and Kisses on the Forehead.

Later years

In 2004, she had a role in the movie Díos los Cría (God Creates Them) alongside Alicia Moreda, Esther Sandoval and directed by Jacobo Morales.

On Friday, February 3, 2006, Candal suffered a fall in her house hitting her head on the floor. She was hospitalized at the Pavia Hospital in San Juan where she suffered additional complications from the loss of blood. Candal died on Sunday, February 5, 2006. She was buried in her mother's grave at Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery located in Old San Juan. She is survived by her two children, Norma and Andres Jr., whom she had with her late husband, Andres Sr.^[4]

See also

Puerto Rico portal

• List of famous Puerto Ricans

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b c} Norma Candal
2. ^ ^{a b} Puerto Rico Popular Culture
3. ^ Television: Critical Concepts in Media and Cultural Studies By Toby Miller
4. ^ Puerto Rico Popular Culture

External links

• Norma Candal at the Internet Movie Database

Persondata
Name	Candal, Norma
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	April 10, 1930
Place of birth
Date of death	February 5, 2006
Place of death