Luis Raúl Martínez (known simply as Luis Raúl) is a Puerto Rican actor and comedian. He is known for his stand-up comedy shows and for his various characters. He was also the host of Univision's talk and variety show Anda Pa'l Cara from 2001 to 2003 and Telemundo's game show Pa' Que Te Lo Goces in 2006.

Biography

Luis Raúl was born in Ponce and showed his interest in acting since he was a child. During school, he would frequently participate in plays and shows. After graduating from high school at Escuela Superior Dr. Pila, he enrolled at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez to study chemical engineering. After two years, he transferred to Universidad del Sagrado Corazon and majored in Business administration, taking electives in theatre. In 1980 he graduated from Escuela de Arte Dramático de Ofelia D'Acosta.

In 1981, he moved to San Juan where he held several jobs to make ends meet. In the meantime, he studied at the Acting Academy of Ofelia D'Acosta and started performing at weekly shows. In 1983 he debuted in the play Los Títeres de Cachiporra. In 1985 he had his first starring role in Un Mismo Corazón (One Heart), a play that dealt with the subject of AIDS, something that was taboo at the time.

At the same time, he started appearing in several local telenovelas and other TV shows. In 1987 he joined actor Edwin Pabellón in producing the radio show Algo Mejor (Something Better). He also had sporadic appearances at the show En Serio con Silverio hosted by Silverio Pérez. After that, Perez recruits him for a new show called ¿Que es lo que pasa aquí? Ahhh! (What's Going on in Here? Ahhh!!! ), a show dedicated to political and social satire. It was this show that established Luis Raúl as a comedic figure.

In 1992, Luis Raúl retired from the program with the intention of moving to Los Angeles and try to find success there. In Los Angeles, he performed at several Hispanic commercials and shows, and also participated in various stand-up comedy and improvisation shows. However, he traveled to Puerto Rico constantly to perform his stand-up comedy show successfully around the island. In 1997 he also had his own show titled Pa' la Cama con Luis Raúl (To Bed with Luis Raúl) produced by Luisito Vigoreaux.

In 2000 he officially established himself back in Puerto Rico and had another show called En Casa de Luis Raúl (At Luis Raúl's Home) in Televicentro. In 2001 he was hired by Univision to replace long-time friend Silverio Pérez as host of their popular show Anda Pa'l Cara after Perez decided to leave. Luis Raúl hosted the show with Gricel Mamery until retiring in 2003.

In 2008, Luis Raúl kicked off a farewell tour called "Chiquito pero Juguetón" ("Little but Playful") with the intention of retiring afterward. The tour was highly successful around the island and one of the venues was taped and released in theatres titled "Chiquito pero Juguetón: Da Muvi". After a brief hiatus, he returned in 2009 with another tour titled "La Cosa Esta Pelua' 3D" ("Times are Hairy"). In 2010, he started a new tour called "Con los Huevos a Peseta" ("Eggs at a Quarter Each").

In 2011 he had another tour of Stand-Up Comedy called "Que clase e' Lengua" ("What kind of tongue")

On March 5, 2012 will have a special program called "the trail" for Telemundo. What will drive along with Maritza Baiges.

It was announced on July 10, 2013, that Luis Raúl will become the first comedian to perform at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot on September 14, 2013 with his new stand-up "Que OJOnes".