Alfonso Lizarzo, creator of 'Sábados Felices', dies at 85
Alfonso Lizarzo Sánchez died on 4 August 2026 at the age of 85, with most reports locating his death in Barranquilla, Colombia. Born on 29 December 1940 in Bucaramanga, he began his media career in 1958 at Caracol Radio, later directing Radio 15 and pioneering the 1960s “Nueva Ola” music movement.
In 1972 he created the television program Campeones de la Risa, which was renamed Sábados Felices in 1976. He hosted and directed the show for more than 26 years, making it the longest‑running comedy series in the world and earning a Guinness World Record. The program launched the careers of many Colombian comedians and became a cultural institution.
Beyond entertainment, Lizarzo served as a senator of the Republic of Colombia from 1998 to 2002 and led the social campaign “Lleva una escuelita en el corazón,” which helped build schools in vulnerable communities. His death prompted tributes from politicians, fellow entertainers and the public, who remembered his humor, generosity and lasting impact on Colombian television.
Entities: Alfonso Lizarazo · Alfonso Lizarazo Sánchez · Alfonso Lizarzo Sánchez · Barranquilla, Colombia · Bogotá · Caracol Radio · Caracol Televisión · Colombian Senate · Don Jediondo (Pedro González) · Radio 15 · Sábados Felices · Álvaro Uribe González
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Alfonso Lizarazo served as a Colombian senator from 1998 to 2002. (article b79aabb9-c6b2-47ab-8eae-e8d717c5436c)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The “Lleva una escuelita en el corazón” campaign helped build about 287 schools in Colombia. (article b79aabb9-c6b2-47ab-8eae-e8d717c5436c)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] “Sábados Felices” holds a Guinness World Record for being the longest‑running TV program. (article b79aabb9-c6b2-47ab-8eae-e8d717c5436c)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Alfonso Lizarazo underwent two heart surgeries after a heart attack. (article 6d492221-1371-4620-bd59-0ab4ad9dc7eb)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Álvaro Uribe González introduced a quarter‑hour news format to Colombian radio. (article 93268966-ffa1-4c10-8851-35c8752b649c)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Alfonso Lizarazo created and first presented the TV program “Sábados Felices” in 1972. (articles 33971da9-fcdb-4833-914f-5308ea2e1be6, b79aabb9-c6b2-47ab-8eae-e8d717c5436c, 6d492221-1371-4620-bd59-0ab4ad9dc7e)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Álvaro Uribe González died at age 86 in Bogotá. (article 93268966-ffa1-4c10-8851-35c8752b649c)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Alfonso Lizarazo died at age 85 in Barranquilla. (articles 33971da9-fcdb-4833-914f-5308ea2e1be6, b79aabb9-c6b2-47ab-8eae-e8d717c5436c, 6d492221-1371-4620-bd59-0ab4ad9dc7e)
- [● 16 SOURCES] Alfonso Lizarzo served as a senator of the Republic of Colombia from 1998 to 2002. (multiple articles)
- [● 16 SOURCES] Sábados Felices holds a Guinness World Record as the longest‑running comedy television show. (multiple articles)
- [● 16 SOURCES] Alfonso Lizarzo was the creator and first presenter of the TV program Sábados Felices. (multiple articles)
- [● 16 SOURCES] Alfonso Lizarzo created the TV program Campeones de la Risa in 1972, which later became Sábados Felices. (multiple articles)