René Enríquez (November 24, 1933 – March 23, 1990) was a Nicaraguan-born[1] American television actor of the 1970s and 1980s. He is best remembered for his role as Lt. Ray Calletano in the long-running television series Hill Street Blues (1981–1987).[2][3]
Career
This section needs expansion with: info about his career other than Hill Street Blues. You can help by adding to it. (September 2024)
Co-star Daniel J. Travanti reminisced that, during his time on Hill Street Blues, Enríquez was "sad, unhappy because they were not thrilled with him, they kept saying that it was difficult to understand him. He was really crushed when they let him go. ... He was sweet, sweet natured and grateful for what he had there but saddened by being let go."[4][a]
Enríquez died on March 23, 1990, from AIDS, the first of two Hill Street Blues stars to die that year, as Kiel Martin succumbed to lung cancer on December 28. Original reports said Enríquez died of pancreatic cancer.[1] However, upon publication of his death certificate, his cause of death was revealed to be complications resulting from AIDS. As reported on a 1992 episode of Entertainment Tonight, this was not a surprise to his Hill Street Blues costar Charles Haid, as Enríquez had disclosed to Haid the true nature of his affliction.[6]
^Enríquez appeared in all seven seasons of Hill Street Blues, in 109 of the series' 144 total episodes (76%).[5] Early in the sixth season of the show, his character became captain of the Polk Avenue Precinct, and he appeared sparingly thereafter. See also List of Hill Street Blues episodes.
^Rivera Viruet, Rafael J.; Resto, Max (2008). Hollywood-- Se Habla Español. Terramax Entertainment. p. 136. ISBN978-0981665009. yet not forgotten, are character actors René Enríquez, who began his film career in Woody Allen's hilarious comedy Bananas and who enjoyed a long and productive career in television, including Hill Street Blues
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