Cacho Fontana is dead, the voice who revolutionized radio and the presence that made TV shine

Famous radio and television hostJorge “Cacho” Fontana died this Tuesday at the age of 90after going through numerous health problems in recent months, as confirmed by one of her daughters.

The news of Fontana’s death comes a few hours after the death of the ex-wife and mother of two of his daughters, Liliana Caldini.

2020 was not an easy year for Fontana. The announcer contracted Covid in July of that year in the nursing home where he lived for several years, for which he had to be admitted to Fernández hospital.

But Cacho’s health problems continued into 2021, when, recovered from Covid, he had to be hospitalized again for pneumonia in February.

A voice for history

Definitely – how else to say it? Jorge Cacho Fontana was one of the most important and influential figures of Argentine radio and television.. From the 70s to today, those who review the radio offer cannot fail to mention his Fountain show as a milestone that has revolutionized the medium. Fontana’s unmistakable voice has become a trademark that we still associate today with many advertisements that sought in his style to communicate – confident, energetic, generator of empathy – an arrival worthy of trust with the public.

On television, among his many projects, he clearly stood out question about odollo, the glass dome Y video shows. Norberto Palese -this was his real name- was born on April 23, 1932, son of Antonio Palese and Nieves Figueriras. He spent his childhood in Barracas, working from a very young age as an assistant and cadet in the company where his father was foreman. But at the same time, he cultivated an attraction for the phrase, which led him to be presenter in neighborhood shows and then orchestra presenter. From there he “jumped” to the radio, where he worked for five seasons as a substitute announcer until he had the opportunity that would catapult him to fame: to drive. question about odollo, contest of questions and answers, on TV.

Fontana imposed the famous “Good morning securitydddddd”! when the answer was correct it reached incredible levels of popularity. But, at the same time that he was discovering his streak as a producer and distinguishing himself as a host, Fontana was also establishing himself as a notable voice for advertising, commercials were gaining prominence there. And then he was the “sidewalk” of other super famous personalities such as José María Muñoz at the head of the sports broadcasts of Rivadavia Radioand many others.

the camera watching

Moving from entertainment to news reports, another key moment in his career was his time driving Videoshow, by Canale 11the program that in the mid-70s changed the way of telling the news: It was from the use of primitive video cameras that we became familiar with a new term for the era (videotape). For its time, a technological revolution.

“The technology was a camera and a bin with lights. That was all television, very traditional like many things in the country. Everything was done live, without a network, without anything. Was it the glory or the devotee. The radio was the imagination and the television the reality, “he said Clarione In an interview.

Despite his popularity on television, he hadn’t lost his passion for radio from the start From the city Y The world– until it reached number 1 in the 1960s, Rivadavia Radio. And that’s where, in addition to accompanying Muñoz’s broadcasts, Fontana built another of his extraordinary creationsthe Fountain show. He was surrounded by a team with excellent announcers such as María Esther Vignola and Rina Morán, and prominent screenwriters: Alberto Migré, Abel Santa Cruz, Hugo Moser.

his love life

On the other hand, he’s got used to a media love life, ever since he was partner for twelve years of actress and singer Beba Bidart. And that factor was heightened when she started her relationship with a young fashion star, Liliana Caldiniin the early 1970s: they were the parents of the twins Ludmila and Antonella.

However, his private life will reach scandalous headlines in 1992, in the relationship with another model and “Sofovich’s secretary”, Marcela Tiraboschi. The matter led to a court case –sued him for assault– with Cacho permanently dismissed and all cleared up. Several times, some time later, he felt that this situation had been “dropped”. And he coincided with a progressive exit from the media, precipitated by the hemiplegia he suffered from.

Gone were the days of glory, friendship with characters like Tito Lectoure, his participation in historical broadcasts (Locche-Fuji in Japan, the Nobel Prize for Leloir on Channel 13, a long service on Perón in Puerta de Hierro, the coverage of World Cup ’66, among them).

In recent times he had received the awards and tributes he deserved. You presented the Martín Fierro de Oro to Longobardi in 2016 and, two years later, Cacho Fontana himself and his tender friend Pinky received the homage at that party, presented by another media hero, Héctor Larrea. “Living this overflow of affection, good treatment and generosity comforts me. You don’t know how difficult it is to get away from the media, “he said from the stage. At the same time, he highlighted all those who shone in his time – such as Antonio Carrizo or Larrea himself – and the new generations, among whom he mentioned Santiago del Moro.

He was a real big one winner of 14 Martin Fierro. Already far from that boy from Barracas who dreamed of succeeding on the radio while he was testing his voice animating tango evenings.

IS