José Luis Rodríguez

Biography

José Luis Rodríguez González (Latin American Spanish pronunciation: [xoseˈlwis roˈðɾiɣes]; 14 January 1943), nicknamed El Puma ("The Puma"), is a Venezuelan singer and actor who is known for having recorded many international super hits and participated in a handful of telenovelas. He has also served as a coach and mentor on the Argentine, the Peruvian, and the Chilean versions of The Voice, as well as a judge on The X Factor Chile.

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
1983: Ven CBS Columbia
1984: Voy A Conquistarte (Discos CBS International)
1984: Due Come Noi (Discos CBS International)
1985: El Último Beso (Discos CBS International)
1987: Señor Corazón
1988: Con El Mariachi Vargas
1989: Tengo Derecho A Ser Feliz
1989: Las 15 Grandes De El Puma
1990: Serie De Colección
1990: 12 Grandes Éxitos
1990: Esta Vez
1990: Senora Bonita
1991: El Puma En Ritmo
1992: Piel de Hombre
1993: Querido Puma
1994: Razones Para Una Sonrisa
1995: Boleros De Siempre Con José Luis Rodríguez
1996: Llamada Del Amor
1996: Joyas Musicales
1996: Lo Mejor De José Luis Rodríguez
1997: Que Quiere Esa Musica Esta Noche
1997: Inólvidable
1999: En Ritmo 2: Fiesta
2000: Serie Millennium 21
2000: Mis 30 Mejores
2001: Inolvidable, Vol. 3
2002: Mis 30 Mejores Canciones Con Los Panchos
2002: Champagne
2002: Serie De Autores, Vol. 1: Manuel Alejandro
2002: Serie De Autores, Vol. 3: P. Herrero y J.L. Armenteros
2002: Serie De Autores, Vol. 4: Chema Purón
2002: Serie De Autores, Vol. 5: Chema Purón
2002: Mujer
2004: Mi Historia
2005: Distancia
2005: Sabor A México
2005: Mis 30 Mejores Canciones
2006: Canciones De Amor
2006: Ayer Y Hoy
2006: 15 Éxitos
2007: Trópico
2007: Homenaje a José Alfredo Jiménez
2008: Interpreta A Manuel Alejandro
2009: Los Grandes Del Amor
2009: Mi Amigo El Puma
2017: Inmenso

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
1979: Sangre azul
1979: Estefania
1980: El Idolo
1985: Angelica
1986: Atrevete
1986: Mi encuentro con Teresa
1987: Sueño contigo
1992: Piel as Vicente
2007: Trópico as Guillermo Guzmán
2008: Gabriel, amor inmortal as Francisco Pizarro

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)