Puerto Rican comedian and actor Luis Raul Martinez has died at age 51 in his Caribbean homeland, the Associated Press reports.
Friends and colleagues in the U.S. Caribbean territory say Martinez died Sunday of complications from pneumonia. He had been hospitalized since mid-January.
Martinez was known for energetic stand-up routines and a slew of memorable characters, including an elderly pot-smoking woman dubbed Dona Mary Jane. He performed before 17,000 fans last year at a stadium in Puerto Rico’s capital of San Juan. He was also a TV show host.
Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla is praising Martinez as an “extraordinary actor and comedian” and has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff at all public buildings for three days.
Funeral arrangements are pending. Martinez is survived by his parents and his sister.
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