René Enríquez

American actor (1933–1990)

René Enríquez
Born	(1933-11-24)November 24, 1933 Granada, Nicaragua
Died	March 23, 1990(1990-03-23) (aged 56) Tarzana, California, U.S.
Years active	1960–1989

René Enríquez (November 24, 1933 – March 23, 1990) was a Nicaraguan-born^[1] American television actor of the 1970s and 1980s. He is best remembered for his role as Lt. Ray Calletano in the long-running television series Hill Street Blues (1981–1987).^[2]^[3]

He died on March 23, 1990, from AIDS, the first of two Hill Street Blues stars to die that year. Kiel Martin succumbed to lung cancer on December 28.

Co-star Daniel J. Travanti reminisced that, during his time on Hill Street Blues, Enríquez was "sad, unhappy because they were not thrilled with him, they kept saying that it was difficult to understand him. He was really crushed when they let him go. ... He was sweet, sweet natured and grateful for what he had there but saddened by being let go.^[4]

Original reports said Enríquez died of pancreatic cancer.^[1] However, upon publication of his death certificate, Enríquez's cause of death was revealed to be complications resulting from AIDS. As reported on a 1992 episode of Entertainment Tonight, this was not a surprise to his Hill Street Blues costar Charles Haid, as Enríquez had disclosed to Haid the true nature of his affliction.^[5]

Partial filmography

Girl of the Night (1960) – Ricardo
Bananas (1971) – Diaz
Serpico (1973) – Cervantes Teacher (uncredited)
Harry and Tonto (1974) – Grocery Clerk
Night Moves (1975) – (voice, uncredited)
Blood Bath (1976)
The Great American Traffic Jam (1980, television film) - Mayor Julio Escontrerez
Under Fire (1983) – President Anastasio Somoza
Choices of the Heart (1983, television film) - Archbishop Oscar Romero
The Evil That Men Do (1984) – Max
Dream West (TV Mini-series 1986) – General Castro
Hill Street Blues (1981–1987, TV series) – Lt. Ray Calletano / Captain Ray Calletano
Bulletproof (1988) – Gen. Maximiliano Brogado

References

^ ^a ^b "Rene Enriquez, 56; Played a Lieutenant In 'Hill Street Blues'". The New York Times. 28 March 1990.
^ Rivera Viruet, Rafael J.; Resto, Max (2008). Hollywood-- Se Habla Español. Terramax Entertainment. p. 136. ISBN 978-0981665009. yet not forgotten, are character actors René Enríquez, who began his film career in Woody Allen's hilarious comedy Bananas and who enjoyed a long and productive career in television, including Hill Street Blues
^ Heil, Douglas (1 March 2002). Prime Time Authorship: Works About and by Three TV Dramatists. Syracuse Univ Press. p. 298. ISBN 978-0815628781. As Calletano, Rene Enriquez was just wonderful. He knocked us out at the first reading when he auditioned.
^ The Interviews: Daniel J. Travant, Actor. Television Academy Foundation. 13 October 2004. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
^ "Rent Enrfquez". Turner Classic Movies Archives. Retrieved 17 May 2021.