Catalog

Charo

María Rosario Pilar Martínez Molina Baeza, María del Rosario Mercedes Pilar Martínez Molina Baeza, Maria Rosario Pilar Lorenza Emilia Eugenia Martinez Molina Baeza De La Osa Rasten, or María del Rosario Pilar Martínez Molina Gutiérrez de los Perales Santa Ana Romanguera y de la Hinojosa Rasten, but with a shorter version in the text of the same source. }} professionally known by her stage name Charo, is a Spanish-born actress, singer, comedian, and flamenco guitarist who rose to international prominence in the 1960s on American television, as well as starring in several films.

Charo began playing classical (Spanish-style) guitar at the age of nine, training under the famed guitarist Andrés Segovia. In 1966, she married 66-year-old bandleader Xavier Cugat and moved to the United States with him. In the late 1960s and 1970s, she became a ubiquitous presence on American television, frequently appearing as a guest star on series such as ''Laugh-In'', ''Fantasy Island'', ''The Love Boat'', and ''The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson''. She is known for her uninhibited and exuberant manner, high energy levels, vague age, heavy Spanish accent, and catchphrase "cuchi-cuchi". She frequently pokes fun at herself, while also pointing out the potential judgment of others, through her accent.

As a musician, Charo has performed and recorded in various styles for five decades. She released a series of disco recordings in the 1970s with Salsoul Records, most notably ''Dance a Little Bit Closer'' (1977). In 1995, her flamenco album ''Guitar Passion'' (1994) was awarded Female Pop Album of the Year at the ''Billboard'' International Latin Music Conference, and was named Best Female Latin Pop Album by ''Billboard'' Magazine. In an interview, Charo has said, "Around the world I am known as a great musician. But in America, I am known as the cuchi-cuchi girl. That's okay, because cuchi-cuchi has taken me all the way to the bank." Provided by Wikipedia