Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 22, 1993 TAG: 9304220171
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: MEXICO CITY LENGTH: Short
Cantinflas, 81, who died Tuesday of lung cancer, made 49 films over a half-century but is best-known abroad for his role as Passepartout, the devoted servant in the 1956 film "Around the World in 80 Days."
Thousands of mourners gathered Wednesday outside the funeral home where his body was taken. President Carlos Salinas de Gortari paid his respects there, and was to later attend a tribute at the capital's Palace of Fine Arts.
Funeral arrangements were not immediately announced.
Though Cantinflas died a millionaire, he was born in one of Mexico City's worst slums and never forgot his modest origins. He was known for his work on behalf of children and charitable causes.
The name Cantinflas is meaningless. He adopted it as a pseudonym early in his career so his parents would not know he was an actor, viewed then as a low calling.
Memo: shorter version ran in the Metro edition.