Charo

Who Is Charo?

Charo, a multifaceted entertainer, began her career as a musician, singer, and dancer. She rose to prominence in the United States during the 1970s through her memorable appearances on popular television shows such as Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, The Carol Burnett Show, The Hollywood Squares, The Tonight Show, and The Love Boat. In the 1980s, she chose to scale back her career to focus on her family. Over the following decades, Charo released several albums showcasing her vocal talents and exceptional guitar skills. She also made a return to television with appearances on shows like The Surreal Life and Dancing with the Stars.

Early Life and Career

Charo, born María Rosario Pilar Martínez Molina Baeza, entered the world on January 15, 1951, in Murcia, Spain (though some sources suggest a birthdate of March 13, 1941). She began her career as a serious musician, showing an early aptitude for classical guitar under the mentorship of the renowned maestro Andrés Segovia. As a teenager, Charo was discovered by Latin bandleader and “Rumba King,” Xavier Cugat, who invited her to join his orchestra as a singer and dancer. In 1966, despite a significant age difference of more than 40 years, Charo and Cugat were married.

TV Stardom: From ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ to ‘Chico and the Man’ and ‘The Love Boat’

Charo’s television career began in the late 1960s, appearing multiple times on The Ed Sullivan Show, both with her then-husband Xavier Cugat and as a solo performer. In Las Vegas, she initially performed alongside Cugat before developing her own successful nightclub act.

Following her film debut in Tiger by the Tail (1968), co-starring with Tippi Hedren, Charo began to establish herself independently with guest appearances on popular shows such as Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, The Carol Burnett Show, and The Hollywood Squares. She also became a frequent guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

While Charo demonstrated her versatility as an entertainer, she became best known for her vibrant personality, dynamic stage presence, and signature catchphrase, “Cuchi-cuchi,” often accompanied by a hip wiggle. The phrase originated from her childhood pet, a dog named Cuchillo.

By the late 1970s, Charo was a ubiquitous presence on television. She starred in her own special in 1976 and appeared on the comedy Chico and the Man alongside comedian Freddie Prinze for one season. She then secured a recurring role on The Love Boat, which continued for several years.

In addition to her television success, Charo released several music records, including La Salsa (1976) and Dance a Little Bit Closer (1978), further cementing her status as a multifaceted entertainer.

Later Albums and Television Career

Charo returned to the music scene with her 1994 album, Guitar Passion, which performed well on the Latin charts and showcased her love for the guitar. Her participation in VH1’s reality show The Surreal Life introduced her to a new generation of fans. While she continued to be celebrated for her humorous stage persona, Charo’s talents as a serious musician also gained recognition, particularly with the release of her 2005 album, Charo and Guitar, which received positive reviews.

After years of occasional television appearances, Charo was announced as a contestant on the 24th season of Dancing with the Stars in 2017. That same year, she took on a comedic role as the Queen of England in the film Sharknado 5: Global Swarming.

Personal Life

Charo divorced Xavier Cugat in 1978 and married Kjell Rasten later that year. In 1982, shortly after the birth of their son, Shel Joseph, the family relocated to the Hawaiian island of Kauai. During this period, Charo prioritized her family life, performing mostly in local venues and managing her own restaurant, Charo’s.

In February 2019, Rasten passed away after an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound at their Beverly Hills home. Charo disclosed that her husband had been struggling with depression, which she attributed to the side effects of medications prescribed for a rare skin condition.

After several years of limited television appearances, Charo returned to the spotlight in 2017 as a contestant on the 24th season of “Dancing with the Stars.” That same year, she also appeared as the Queen of England in the comedy film “Sharknado 5: Global Swarming.”