Mexico’s Most Beloved Clown “Cepillín” Has Passed Away At 75

Cepillín, Mexico's most beloved clown, has died at 75 after a battle with cancer and heart issues.  

On Monday, the son of Ricardo González Gutiérrez, better known as Cepillín el Payaso, announced the passing of his father due to issues related to spinal cancer and heart failure. 

Ricardo González Gutiérrez was born on February 7, 1946, in Monterrey; Nuevo León started as a dentist who initially began to paint his face so that kids wouldn't be afraid of him as he worked on their teeth. Hence the name Cepillín, which loosely translates into a little toothbrush. 

His iconic look was a simple black and white painted smile with a red nose, ironically resembling a face mask.  

Cepillín was to Mexican children what Bozo the Clown and Mr. Rodgers were to American kids back in the day. To this day, his image and music still remind me of my summer visits to El Paso with my older cousins – my primas, playing his albums and watching reruns of his shows. 

By the mid-70s, the most famous clown in Mexico had his own popular children’s television show, El Show de Cepillín, which combined education, comedy, singing, dancing, and celebrity guests.

Cepillín also recorded several children's songs throughout his career, recording 27 children's albums and selling more than 25 million copies worldwide. 

Some of his most popular songs included La Feria de Cepillín (Cepillín's Fair), Tomás ("Thomas"), and En El Bosque de la China ("In China's Forest").  

Sadly, Mexico’s most beloved clown passed away due to an ongoing battle with spinal cancer and multiple heart problems that ultimately led to heart failure.  

Cepillín did it all; he was a dentist, actor, comedian, ventriloquist, TV host, singer, dancer, and so much more. But to kids like my cousins and me, he was a funny-looking skinny clown with a high-pitched voice who brought us hours of laughter and joy, and he will always remind me of our childhood growing up. 

My deepest condolences go out to the family, friends, and fans of Cepellin – may he rest in peace.