Israel Castro Velez, better known as Shorty Castro was a Puerto Rican comedian, actor, comedy writer, stage director, radio host, singer, dancer, composer and musician, with a career spanning over 60 years.
12 Facts About Shorty Castro
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Shorty Castro developed the skills necessary to become an entertainer: good singing voice, talent as a percussionist, and good timing for comedy.
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Shorty Castro then returned to Mayaguez to prepare for his move to San Juan, which was supposed to occur on August 24,1956.
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At a road stop in Quebradillas Shorty Castro learned about the sudden death of Ramon Ortiz del Rivero, Puerto Rico's most popular comedian at the time.
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Shorty Castro played congas and sang a few of Mon Rivera's plenas with the Cortijo band that day.
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Shorty Castro later became a stagehand and musical bit player within the program.
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When his contracts ran out, Shorty Castro returned to singing, and made a second tour of New York with the Happy Hills' Orchestra.
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Shorty Castro later played a similar role, "Medio Metro", along Velda Gonzalez's Azucena in "La Criada Malcriada", first on television, later on film.
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Shorty Castro hosted Maxima 940 am radio show "Shorty Castro a las 11", on weekday noons, together with long-time friend and fellow comedian Tito Negron.
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Shorty Castro later hosted a third show, "Nuestras Raices", again with Tito Negron, on weekday mornings.
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Shorty Castro had a son and a daughter, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
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Shorty Castro eventually became a major player in Muniz's productions, developing comedic characters of his own.