Cepillín

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Ricardo González Gutiérrez known as Cepillín (born in February 7, 1946 in Monterrey, Nuevo León) is a Mexican clown (payaso) as well as a singer, TV host and actor.

Ricardo was a dentist who started to paint his face so that kids would not be afraid of him as he worked on their teeth. He became famous when a local TV channel interviewed him. The name Cepillín means little (tooth) brush, "cepillo" ("de dientes") in Spanish.

With Televisa he had a show called El Show de Cepillín. This show was an educational, comedy and interview shows with guests such as Lou Ferrigno (who was Hulk on the popular TV show). The show was a success in Mexico as well as Chile and Puerto Rico. He arguably became the most famous clown in Mexico.

Cepillín also recorded children songs. The most popular songs were La feria de Cepillín (Cepillín's Fair), Tomás ("Thomas") and En el bosque de la China ("In China's forest") and La Gallina Cocoua. Cepillín also helped younger artists to acquire fame such as singer Yuri who took a role in his movie Milagro en el circo ("Miracle in the circus").

Cepillín is currently on a show on TV Azteca as well as touring with the circus show that bears his name. His last album sold more than one million units in the first three months. On May 24, 2005 he had a heart attack and had to be hospitalized in Puebla, after complaining of chest pain during a presentation with his circus. He has currently been contracted for another talk show ("Cepillín's Live") with Multimedios Television beginning sometime in June 2006. The show will feature both of his son's Ricardo and Roberto Guajardo.

On July 13, 2006 he had a second heart attack and had to be hospitalized in San José Hospital in Monterrey, Nuevo León, México. Luckily, Cepillín is in recovery.