Freddy Soto
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Alfred Soto, Jr. (1970 – July 10, 2005) was an American comedian, writer and actor. He was born in El Paso, Texas to Mexican American parents and his stand-up comedy act focused primarily on his upbringing in a Mexican American household. Soto's premature death at age 35 was attributed to a mixture of alcohol and drugs.
[edit] Career
Freddy Soto moved to Los Angeles, California around 1990 and worked as a limousine driver for legendary comedian Richard Pryor. Soto's driving duties included driving Pryor to The Laugh Factory where club owner, Jamie Masada, encouraged Soto's comedy career. He later worked as a doorman at The Comedy Store in West Hollywood, California. Before long, Soto was headlining comedy clubs across the country.
In 2000, a situation comedy was developed starring Soto (but was not successful). In 2001 and 2002, Soto toured as part of "The Three Amigos" with Carlos Mencia and Pablo Francisco. He had his own comedy specials on Home Box Office and Comedy Central Presents and had guest shots on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn. In 2004, Soto had a small but memorable role in the movie Spanglish starring Adam Sandler.
[edit] Premature death
On July 10, 2005, Soto performed at The Laugh Factory in Los Angeles receiving a standing ovation. Just hours after the performance, he died in his sleep at a friend's house. More than four months later, El Paso's KFOX-TV announced the coroner's determination that Soto died from a mixture of alcohol, Xanax and fentanyl. He is survived by his wife, Cory, and a 3-year old daughter, Cruz.
