The life story of Hector Lavoe who started the salsa movement in 1975 and brought it to the United States.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Photos and Videos
Complete, Cast awaiting verification
| Marc Anthony | ... |
Hector Lavoe
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| Jennifer Lopez | ... |
Puchi
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| John Ortiz | ... |
Willie Colon
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| Manny Perez | ... |
Eddie
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| Vincent Laresca | ... |
Ralph
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| Federico Castelluccio | ... |
Jerry Masucci
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| Nelson Vasquez | ... |
Johnny Pacheco
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| Antone Pagán | ... |
Papo
(as Antone Pagan)
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| Romi Dias | ... |
Priscilla
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Jared Everleth | ... |
Tito (4 yrs.)
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Bernard Hernandez | ... |
Tito (7 yrs.)
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Christopher Becerra | ... |
Tito (12-15 yrs.)
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| Andrea Navedo | ... |
Zaida
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Ismael Miranda | ... |
Hector's Father
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Tito Allen | ... |
Singer
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| Víctor Manuelle | ... |
Ruben Blades
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| Michael Wright | ... |
Shooting Gallery Man
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Cucu Diamantes | ... |
Female Junkie
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Marina Durell | ... |
Madrina
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Guillermo de Cun | ... |
Priest
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| Jack Mulcahy | ... |
Doctor
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Israel Sanabria | ... |
M.C.
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Joe Lala | ... |
Band Leader
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Domingo Quiñones | ... |
San Juan Promoter
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Elliot Santiago | ... |
Bouncer
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Obie Bermúdez | ... |
Taxi Driver
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| Glenda Dopazo | ... |
Carmen
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| Hector A. Leguillow | ... |
Pianist
(as Hector Leguillow)
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Lou Torres | ... |
Pianist 2 / Pianist (After hrs.)
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Victor Santos | ... |
Pianist 3
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Hugo Duran | ... |
Bassist
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Julio Ortiz | ... |
Trumpet
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| Jorge Pupo | ... |
Trombone Player
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| Danny A. Abeckaser | ... |
Studio Engineer
(as Danny Abeckaser)
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Marlon Belcione | ... |
Party Goer #1
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Arlene Rodriguez | ... |
Mercedes
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Roberto Romero | ... |
Background Singer #3
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Eddie Rosado | ... |
Chorus
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| Chiko Mendez | ... |
Chorus
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| Deirdre Lorenz | ... |
Willie's Girl
(as Deidre Lorenz)
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Grant Crawford | ... |
Interviewer
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Luis Eduardo Santiago Diaz | ... |
Paramedic
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Edwin Rivera | ... |
Cheetah Solo Dancer
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Yomo Toro | ... |
Self
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Eddie Montalvo | ... |
Self
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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David Marquez | ... |
Boogaloo Line Dancer
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Jerry Perez | ... |
Salsa Dancer
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| Marcus Collins | ... |
Photographer (uncredited)
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Kaly Cordova | ... |
Family Member (uncredited)
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Abraham De Funes | ... |
Family Member (uncredited)
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Wanda Ferreiras | ... |
Fania All-Star Groupie (uncredited)
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| Luis Galli | ... |
Friend in the bar (uncredited)
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Rodyniel Gonzalez | ... |
Dancer in the audience concert (uncredited)
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Hristo Hristov | ... |
Photographer (uncredited)
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| Ana Isabelle | ... |
Puchi's Friend (uncredited)
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Amerindia Laz | ... |
Salsa Dancer (uncredited)
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| Pierangeli Llinas | ... |
Salsa Dancer (uncredited)
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| Claudia Lopez | ... |
Party goer - Puchi's birthday party (uncredited)
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Desiree Ortiz | ... |
Boom Operator (uncredited)
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Gloria Parks | ... |
Salsa Dancer (uncredited)
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Martha Peralta | ... |
Dancer #1 (uncredited)
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| Robert Resto | ... |
Dancer (uncredited)
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Jimmy Santos | ... |
Dancer (uncredited)
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Charles Santy | ... |
Bartender (uncredited)
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Richard Vallejos | ... |
Roadie (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Leon Ichaso | ||
Written by
| Leon Ichaso | ... | (screenplay) and |
| David Darmstaeder | ... | (screenplay) (as David Darmstaedter) & |
| Todd Bello | ... | (screenplay) (as Todd Antony Bello) |
| David Darmstaeder | ... | (story) (as David Darmstaedter) & |
| Todd Bello | ... | (story) (as Todd Antony Bello) |
Produced by
| Julio Caro | ... | producer |
| Simon Fields | ... | producer |
| Jennifer Lopez | ... | producer |
| David Maldonado | ... | co-producer / producer |
| Margo Myers | ... | co-producer |
Music by
| Willie Colón | ||
| Andrés Levin | ||
Cinematography by
| Claudio Chea | ||
Editing by
| Raúl Marchand Sánchez | ||
| David Tedeschi | ||
Editorial Department
| Kyle DeVriendt | ... | digital film recordist |
| Valance Eisleben | ... | data conform |
| Joe Fineman | ... | post-production consultant |
| David Hamme | ... | colorist: dailies |
| Ryan Helsley | ... | digital intermediate producer |
| Carl McKay | ... | trailer finishing artist |
| Carrie Oliver | ... | data conformist |
| Francis Power | ... | post-production coordinator |
| Anthony Ripoli | ... | first assistant editor |
| Michael Toji | ... | post production supervisor |
| Robert Vertrees | ... | post-production coordinator |
| John Vladic | ... | colorist: dailies |
| Leslie Webb | ... | assistant editor |
| Daniel Yang | ... | digital film scanner |
Casting By
| Ellyn Long Marshall | ||
| Maria E. Nelson | ||
Production Design by
| Sharon Lomofsky | ||
Art Direction by
| Nicholas Lundy | ||
Set Decoration by
| Jennifer Greenberg | ||
Costume Design by
| Sandra Hernandez | ||
Makeup Department
| Scott Barnes | ... | makeup artist: Ms. Lopez |
| Annemarie Bradley-Sherron | ... | hair stylist (as Annemarie Bradley) |
| Marta Lila Cintron | ... | assistant makeup artist: Puerto Rico (as Marta Lila 'Abahda' Cintron) |
| Diane Da Silva | ... | assistant makeup artist: Jennifer Lopez |
| Robin Day | ... | hair stylist |
| Suzanne DeSimone | ... | makeup artist |
| Donna Marie Fischetto | ... | key hair stylist |
| Sandra Hakim | ... | makeup artist |
| Loida E. Jeannot | ... | key hair stylist: Puerto Rico (as Loida Jeannot) |
| Margarita Jeannot | ... | assistant hair stylist: Puerto Rico |
| Persefone Karakosta | ... | makeup artist |
| Abadha Lila | ... | assistant makeup artist: Puerto Rico |
| Mandy Lyons | ... | hair stylist: Ms. Lopez |
| Jearim Miranda | ... | assistant hair stylist: Puerto Rico |
| Blanca Nieves | ... | assistant makeup artist: Puerto Rico |
| Aida Pizarro | ... | assistant makeup artist: Puerto Rico |
| Marielena Ramirez | ... | key makeup artist: Puerto Rico |
| Liz Ramos-Reilly | ... | background hair (as Liz Reilly) |
| Sanna Riley | ... | additional makeup artist |
| Angelo Rivera | ... | assistant hair stylist: Puerto Rico |
| Nuria Sitja | ... | makeup department head |
| Dominique Borrel | ... | makeup artist (uncredited) |
| Jovan Vitagliano | ... | hair stylist (uncredited) |
Production Management
| Kathy Ciric | ... | production supervisor: Puerto Rico |
| Kelley Cribben | ... | post-production supervisor |
| Ines Mongil-Echandi | ... | production supervisor |
| Andrew Saxe | ... | assistant production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Luis Rosario Albert | ... | second second assistant director |
| David 'Wex' Wechsler | ... | first assistant director |
| Adam T. Weisinger | ... | second second assistant director |
| Eric Yellin | ... | second assistant director |
Art Department
| Julia G. Hickman | ... | art department coordinator |
| Juan Guallini Indij | ... | set dresser |
| Dierdre Kane | ... | props |
| Derrick Kardos | ... | additional graphic designer |
| Michael Leather | ... | leadman |
| Victor Littlejohn | ... | set dresser |
| Lianir Lopez | ... | art department intern |
| Francisco 'Panchi' López-Franco | ... | lead man |
| Christina Madry | ... | additional wardrobe assistant |
| Alejandra Martinez | ... | charge scenic |
| Ann Miller | ... | property master |
| Georgie Miranda | ... | carpenter |
| Ricardo Naveira | ... | construction foreman |
| Allan Norico | ... | illustrator |
| Elizabeth Schlitten | ... | props |
| Steven Shellooe | ... | camera scenic artist |
| Ginny Walsh | ... | property assistant |
| James Whelan | ... | set dresser |
| Kevin Zack | ... | set dresser |
| Jane Patterson-Loper | ... | set dresser (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Antonio L. Arroyo | ... | playback operator: ProTools |
| Sandy Berman | ... | sound designer / sound supervisor |
| Jim Caruana | ... | audio engineer |
| Chris David | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Mark DeSimone | ... | adr mixer |
| Stuart Deutsch | ... | boom operator |
| Matthew T. Duncan | ... | sound recordist |
| Brian Dunlop | ... | adr recordist / assistant sound editor |
| David Esparza | ... | supervising sound editor |
| Jeremy J. Gordon | ... | adr supervisor |
| Bobby Johanson | ... | adr mixer |
| Shawn Kennelly | ... | foley mixer |
| Scott Kramer | ... | sound editor |
| Laura Macias | ... | foley artist |
| Travis MacKay | ... | adr recordist |
| John Marquis | ... | sound editor |
| Francois Nasté | ... | sound effects |
| Vince Nicastro | ... | foley artist |
| Lisa O'Donoghue | ... | supervising dialogue editor (as Lisa Varetakis) |
| Jeff Pullman | ... | sound mixer |
| Keith Robinson | ... | sound designer |
| Terry Rodman | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Solange S. Schwalbe | ... | sound editor |
| Geordy Sincavage | ... | foley mixer |
| Eric Thompson | ... | adr mixer |
| Mandell Winter | ... | foley editor / sound effects editor |
| James Wright | ... | stereo sound consultant: Dolby Stereo |
Special Effects by
| Charlie Bonilla | ... | special effects: Puerto Rico |
| Conrad V. Brink Jr. | ... | special effects coordinator |
Visual Effects by
| Mandy Arnold | ... | digital compositor/paint |
| David Cole | ... | digital colourist |
| Donnie Creighton | ... | digital intermediate producer |
| Brian Finney | ... | digital effects artist |
| Lori Freitag-Hild | ... | roto artist |
| Chris Kairalla | ... | digital effects artist |
| Bruce Mann | ... | digital compositor |
| Brennan Prevatt | ... | digital compositor |
| Mark Robben | ... | digital compositor |
| Rob Roth | ... | visual effects designer |
| Matt Sell | ... | dustbuster |
| Mai Suzuki | ... | digital compositor/paint |
| Tai Uhlmann | ... | visual effects producer |
| Linda Williams | ... | digital intermediate editor |
| Diane Wright | ... | digital asset manager: Laser Pacific |
| Steve Wright | ... | digital scene salvage of light leaks: Steve Wright Digital FX |
| Keith Yurevitz | ... | visual effects |
| Vincent Lavares | ... | data manager (uncredited) |
Stunts
| Manny Siverio | ... | stunt coordinator |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Bill Almeida | ... | rigging gaffer |
| Sebastián Almeida | ... | assistant camera |
| Michael Appel | ... | lighting designer: night club sequences |
| Michael F. Barrow | ... | camera operator |
| Kelly Beaton | ... | rigging best boy |
| Kelly Britt | ... | additional electrician |
| Keith Bunting | ... | "a" dolly grip (as Keith M. Bunting) |
| Anne Carson | ... | camera loader |
| Manuel Cintron | ... | gaffer: puerto rico |
| Joe Collins | ... | camera operator |
| Edgar Colón | ... | Steadicam operator: Puerto Rico |
| Alfonso Diaz | ... | additional second assistant camera: Puerto Rico |
| Chris Drechsler | ... | electrician |
| Julio Tito Fuentes | ... | lighting technician |
| Carlos García | ... | first assistant camera |
| Phil Gries | ... | cinematographer: behind the scenes |
| Emilio Guede | ... | camera operator: "b" camera (as Emilio Guede Jr.) |
| Gary Hildebrand | ... | generator operator |
| Tom Kenny | ... | lighting designer |
| Michael A. Leo | ... | additional electrician |
| Eric Liebowitz | ... | still photographer |
| Zoraida Luna | ... | second assist camera |
| William MacGhee | ... | electrician |
| Raul J. Marin | ... | best boy electric |
| Abner Medina | ... | first assistant camera |
| Eugene Meienhofer | ... | lighting technician |
| Raymond Orraca | ... | electrician |
| Gabriel Padilla | ... | electric |
| Angel Pastrana | ... | rigging key grip |
| Billy Patsos | ... | key rigging grip |
| George Patsos | ... | key grip |
| Kabkeo Phothivongsa | ... | lamp operator |
| Michael P. Prisco Jr. | ... | electric |
| Ryan Rodriguez | ... | lamp operator |
| Marcos Rodríguez-Quijano | ... | additional camera loader |
| Francisco Román | ... | dolly grip |
| Peter Russell | ... | lamp operator |
| Darrin Smith | ... | best boy |
| Jonathan Stern | ... | additional electrician |
| David J. Thompson | ... | steadicam operator |
| John Velez | ... | gaffer |
| J. Dan Wright | ... | light balloon technician |
| Mike Yurich | ... | dolly grip |
| Carlos Zayas | ... | epk videographer / second assistant camera |
| Ernest Yurich | ... | grip (uncredited) / rigging grip (uncredited) |
Casting Department
| Lee Genick | ... | extras casting |
| Zoraida Sanjurjo López | ... | casting director: Puerto Rico |
| Karen Torres | ... | casting associate |
| Ali Merhi | ... | casting associate (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Stephanie Biear | ... | head seamstress |
| Keia Bounds | ... | costume coordinator |
| Ngina Bowen | ... | set costumer: NY |
| Sandi Figueroa | ... | costume supervisor |
| Marta Font | ... | set costumer (as Marta) |
| Careen Fowles | ... | costumer |
| Kater Gordon | ... | additional set costumer |
| Rhonney Greene | ... | set costumer |
| Mitzi Haralson | ... | costumer: Ms. Lopez |
| Karola Hawk | ... | set costumer (as Carola Gonzalez) |
| Katalina Iturralde | ... | set costumer |
| Ali Lammari | ... | costumer |
| Debbie Lucas | ... | seamstress |
| Christina Madry | ... | wardrobe |
| Carmia Marshall | ... | wardrobe supervisor |
| Zsuzsa Mysak | ... | wardrobe intern |
| Monica Ruiz-Ziegler | ... | costumer |
| Gladyris Silva | ... | assistant costume designer |
| Thomas M. Smalley | ... | additional wardrobe assistant |
| Crystal Thompson | ... | seamstress |
| David F. Zambrana | ... | assistant costume designer / Costume Department Coordinator (uncredited) |
Location Management
| Dennis Buckley | ... | location production assistant |
| Paola Cambo | ... | assistant location manager |
| Kat Donahue | ... | location coordinator |
| Rey Figueroa | ... | location assistant |
| Michael Hartel | ... | assistant location manager |
| Kellie Morrison | ... | location manager |
| Stuart Nicolai | ... | assistant location manager |
| Cesar Quinones | ... | location scout / assistant |
| Giancarlo Rebella | ... | location assistant |
| Vivian Rebella | ... | assistant location manager |
| Justin Rosini | ... | location assistant |
| Jonathan Roumie | ... | location scout |
| Yorgo Stathopoulos | ... | location assistant |
| Josias Tapia | ... | location manager: Puerto Rico / location scout |
Music Department
| Jellybean Benítez | ... | additional production & remix: "Slippery People" |
| Giovani Gonzalez | ... | assistant musicians coordinator |
| Matt Havron | ... | music coordinator |
| Steven Evanne Heinstein | ... | music assistant |
| Michael Jay | ... | music editor |
| Hector A. Leguillow | ... | musicians coordinator |
| Tracy McKnight | ... | music supervisor |
| Alysia Oakley | ... | music coordinator |
| Antone Pagán | ... | musician |
| Sandra Park | ... | music contractor |
| Keith Robinson | ... | music editor |
| Michael Carey Schneider | ... | music assistant |
| Talking Heads | ... | Singer: "Slippery People" |
| Carl Thiel | ... | score recordist |
| Ken Weiss | ... | music consultant |
| Dan Dzula | ... | score recordist (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Coraly Santaliz | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| David Conelli | ... | camera car driver |
| Angel L. Lopez Garcia | ... | driver: cast |
| Luis A. Jurado | ... | transportation captain |
| Josiuan Rojas | ... | transportation coordinator |
Additional Crew
| Jonathan Barry | ... | assistant: Mr. Fields |
| Griselda Benitez | ... | payroll accountant |
| Adam Butera | ... | production assistant |
| Anthony S. Calypso | ... | researcher |
| Jana Camacho | ... | production assistant |
| Jonathan P. Caro | ... | production secretary |
| Gracie Cirinna | ... | first assistant production accountant |
| Kate Coe | ... | archival research and clearances |
| Carl Deal | ... | archival research and clearances |
| Jesus A. Del Rosario Jr. | ... | stand-in |
| Bianca Dohmen | ... | production executive |
| Nathan Fields | ... | production assistant |
| Erica Fishman | ... | additional production assistant |
| Lowell Freedman | ... | set production assistant |
| J. Teddy Garces | ... | adr loop group |
| Rosa Garces | ... | accounting clerk |
| Jennifer Gaston-Gates | ... | second assistant production accountant |
| Bianca Giancoli | ... | production assistant |
| Angel Hernandez | ... | craft service |
| Debbi Izzard | ... | assistant: Ms. Lopez |
| Robert 'B.O.B.' Izzard | ... | security: Ms. Lopez |
| Vivien N. Killilea | ... | assistant: Mr. Caro |
| Harry Lapham | ... | production assistant |
| Amy Lo | ... | assistant production coordinator |
| Robert Lopez | ... | production assistant |
| Tina Lorraine | ... | stand in Jennifer Lopez / stand in: Andrea Navedo |
| Vanessa Macedo | ... | production assistant |
| M.J. Magbanua | ... | production coordinator |
| Matthew Mason | ... | set production assistant |
| Gil McKinney | ... | set production assistant |
| Jason Nordlund | ... | office production assistant |
| Maria Torres O'Connor | ... | choreographer |
| Angel Oquendo | ... | voice-over artist |
| Jedrek Oquendo | ... | production assistant |
| Kevin Pazmino | ... | set production assistant |
| Raquel Medina Rampolla | ... | production coordinator |
| Irwin M. Rappaport | ... | production attorney |
| Lisa Rhoden | ... | creative associate |
| Tiana Rios | ... | assistant: Mr. Anthony |
| Matt Robertson | ... | production executive |
| Brad Robinson | ... | production assistant |
| Rey Rodriguez | ... | security: Mr. Anthony |
| Mariano Ros | ... | assistant: Mr. Ichaso |
| Francisco Pancho Rosa | ... | production assistant |
| Danita Ruiz | ... | assistant: Mr. Anthony |
| Edgar Sandoval | ... | insurance broker |
| Aaron Speiser | ... | acting coach: Jennifer Lopez |
| José R. Varona | ... | set medic |
| Brendan Walsh | ... | production assistant |
| Zachary Conner Williams | ... | assistant: Ms. Mazen |
| Jonathan Wolf | ... | production accountant |
| Krystle Sosa | ... | production assistant (uncredited) |
| Daniel Villagomez | ... | credits administrator (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Art Port (2009) (Japan) (theatrical)
- International Film Distribution Consultants (2006) (Non-US) (theatrical)
- Picturehouse (2013) (United States) (theatrical)
- Wave Distribution (2011) (Italy) (theatrical)
- Edel Media & Entertainment (2014) (Germany) (Blu-ray) (DVD) (Starmovie)
- Edel Media & Entertainment (2014) (Germany) (DVD) (Starmovie)
- Evolution Entertainment (2009) (Switzerland) (DVD)
- HBO Hungary (2009) (Hungary) (tv)
- Hamburger Medien Haus (HMH) (2009) (Germany) (DVD)
- Hamburger Medien Haus (HMH) (2009) (Germany) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- Paradise Group (2007) (Russia)
- Sandrew Metronome Distribution (2008) (Finland) (DVD)
Special Effects
- Edgeworx Studios (visual effects and animation)
- Digiscope (additional digital effects)
Other Companies
- Marcella C. Public Relations (DVD publicity)
- Orbit Digital (HD services)
- Soundtrack New York (ADR Facility)
- Sylvia Fay/Lee Genick & Associates Casting (extras casting)
- The Wilshire Stages (ADR recording facility)
- The Wilshire Stages (sound post-production)
- Visual Icon (exclusive clip and still licensing)
- Wildfire Studios (ADR Recording Facility)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
The rise and fall of salsa singer, Héctor Lavoe (1946-1993), as told from the perspective of his wife Puchi, who looks back from 2002. In the early 1960s, Héctor arrives in New York from Ponce, Puerto Rico. Success comes quickly. "The more he grew as an artist," Puchi says, "the more he sank as a person." It's a tale of talent - creating salsa with Willie Colón, with the Fania All Stars, and as a soloist - and a story of disintegration - fueled by drugs, alcohol, partying, and depression. Puchi's voice - proud and querulous - dominates off-stage as Héctor's does on.
Written by |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Based on the true story of the King of Salsa, Hector Lavoe. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
Additional Details
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Box Office
| Opening Weekend United States | $3,202,035, 05 Aug 2007 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | In a 2016 discussion with SAG-AFTRA Jennifer Lopez cited El Cantante as the film she is most proud of in her career. See more » |
| Goofs | In the scene where Hector Perez signs his contract with Jerry Masucci, and is given the name Hector La Voe. Willie Colon is standing behind him. On the wall behind Willie is a framed album cover of "The Hustler", the second album they made together. At this point in the story they have not yet recorded together. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in The Making of 'El Cantante' (2007). See more » |
| Soundtracks | It's Time for Christmas Crooner See more » |
| Quotes |
Hector Lavoe:
I love you. Puchi: You always love me when you're high. See more » |