Adalberto Martinez, 87; Starred in Mexican Films and TV Shows

Adalberto Martinez, a zany song-and-dance man who starred in more than 100 films and TV shows over nearly seven decades, has died. He was 87.

Martinez died Friday at Mexico City’s Santa Helena hospital, said his wife, Josefina Flores. He had been hospitalized with a pulmonary infection.

Nicknamed “Resortes” or “Springy,” Martinez was a tap dancer and off-color crooner known for an unpredictable mix of physical comedy and stinging wit.

Later, his host of wacky facial expressions and comedic voices made him a radio personality and helped him become one of the early pillars of Mexican cinema.

Born on Jan. 25, 1916, in the rough Mexico City neighborhood of Tepito, Martinez was one of 18 children.

He got his start in show business at 15, when he persuaded one of the directors at the city’s historic Hidalgo theater to give him an audition.

Martinez appeared in more than 100 Mexican films and television series from 1947 until 2000, including 1952’s “The Phenomenal Baseball Player” and 1972’s “The Bricklayers.”

He remained a Mexico City personality into his 80s, incorporating the prescription bifocals he wore later in life into his look.

Martinez married three times and had a son with his second wife, actress Gloria Rios.