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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE]
2 clusters · 23 sources · 30 days · First seen · Last updated
Categories: CULTURE
Deaths of prominent Colombian media figures
Entities: Radio 15 · Álvaro Uribe González · Sábados Felices · Caracol Televisión · Caracol Radio
Overview
In early July 2026, journalist Goliath Pérez Pulgarín died at age 77 in Nariño, marking the first notable loss among Colombia’s media community that month.
A few weeks later, on 3 August 2026, the nation mourned two additional icons: veteran radio personality Álvaro Uribe González, 86, who pioneered the disc‑jockey format and a signature news segment, and television pioneer Alfonso Lizarazo, 85, creator of the long‑running comedy show “Sábados Felices” and former senator.
Lizarazo’s death was reported on 4 August 2026; he passed away in Barranquilla (some reports cite Bogotá) after a period of health problems, including cardiac complications. He began his career in the 1950s at Caracol Radio, later directed Radio 15, launched the youth‑oriented “Nueva Ola” music wave, and introduced the TV format “Campeones de la Risa,” which evolved into “Sábados Felices” in 1976. From 1998 to 2002 he served as a senator for the Movimiento Reconstrucción Democrática Nacional. He also founded the Festival Internacional del Humor and the “Lleva una escuelita en el corazón” campaign, which helped build hundreds of rural schools.
Born 29 December 1940 in Bucaramanga, Lizarazo started in media in 1958, hosted and directed “Sábados Felices” for more than 26 years, earning a Guinness World Record as the longest‑running comedy series. Tributes highlighted his humor, generosity and lasting impact on Colombian television.
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 16 SOURCES] Alfonso Lizarzo died on 4 August 2026 at age 85. (multiple articles)
- [● 16 SOURCES] Alfonso Lizarzo was the creator and first presenter of the TV program Sábados Felices. (multiple articles)
- [● 16 SOURCES] Alfonso Lizarzo was born on 29 December 1940 in Bucaramanga, Colombia. (multiple articles)
- [● 16 SOURCES] Alfonso Lizarzo served as a senator of the Republic of Colombia from 1998 to 2002. (multiple articles)
- [● 16 SOURCES] Alfonso Lizarzo launched the social campaign “Lleva una escuelita en el corazón,” which built schools in vulnerable Colombian communities. (multiple articles)
- [● 16 SOURCES] Sábados Felices holds a Guinness World Record as the longest‑running comedy television show. (multiple articles)
- [● 16 SOURCES] Alfonso Lizarzo began his media career at Caracol Radio in 1958 and later directed Radio 15. (multiple articles)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Álvaro Uribe González died at age 86 in Bogotá. (article 93268966-ffa1-4c10-8851-35c8752b649c)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Álvaro Uribe González introduced a quarter‑hour news format to Colombian radio. (article 93268966-ffa1-4c10-8851-35c8752b649c)
Timeline
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1 day ago
[CULTURE] 23 sourcesAlfonso Lizarzo, creator of 'Sábados Felices', dies at 85Alfonso Lizarzo, creator and longtime host of Colombia’s iconic comedy show “Sábados Felices,” died at 85 on 4 August 2026, leaving a legacy in TV, politics and social campaigns.
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about 1 month ago
[CULTURE] 4 sourcesJournalist Goliath Pérez Pulgarín dies at 77 in Nariño, ColombiaRenowned Colombian journalist Goliath Pérez Pulgarín, 77, died in Nariño; he founded La Voz de Nariño radio, created El Gran Precursor newspaper, and served as a community leader.
Sources
archyworldys.com · besame.fm · capsulas.com.co · colombia.com · diariodelcauca.com.co · diariodelsur.com.co · elespectador.com · elfrente.com.co · elnorte.com.co · elnuevodia.com.co · extra.com.co · forestgrovenewstimes.com · hsbnoticias.com · kiskegyed.hu · laopinion.com.co · minuto30.com · noticiasalsur.co · olimpicastereo.com.co · radionacional.co · radiosantafe.com · rionegro.com.ar · tn.com.ar · tubarco.news
This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history