Colombian audiences remember actor Giovanni Suarez for his performance as Benito Passion for JavellanesThat character whose sense of humor and foolishness won the admiration of millions of viewers. It’s been more than 20 years since the series aired, but the memory of the “inconsolable fat man”, as the actor himself affectionately describes him, is still very fresh.
Behind that happy and spontaneous personality, today there is a story marked by overcoming and challenge that tested his strength. Suarez has built a strong career in television with roles in productions such as Where does the unit go?, Useless, Men date women only, Married with children and Decisions.
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For many years he toured the country performing comedy shows that kept his connection with the audience alive. “It’s incredible how people love this character after all these years and he has such a great memory,” the actor, grateful for the love he continues to receive, said in an interview given to the magazine. See.
After success Passion for JavellanesGiovanni lived abroad for nearly a decade and devoted himself there to personal projects and some work, but an economic crisis in the place where he lived forced him to return to Colombia.
“I was starting from scratch again, with one hand forward and one hand back, with all the normal economic problems you have when you return to a country. I didn’t have a job, and I knocked on a lot of doors, and I called a casting director and they said, ‘I don’t even know who you are.’ I said, ‘It’s unbelievable that someone who is a casting director doesn’t know about a character in a novel like Pasion de Javellanes“, he recalled in the interview.
Returning to his country, he decided to take a new path and devoted himself to importing children’s supplies and achieved stability until he was infected with the Covid-19 virus four years ago. The diagnosis was devastating.
“I only had a 10% chance of living. I held out to God, they were supposed to intubate me, and I wouldn’t let it happen. I left the clinic after being in the ICU for about two months. “I leave with a diagnosis of ‘ground glass lung syndrome’ and are presumed to be dependent on oxygen for life,” he said in a slow voice.
The actor did not accept to give up, and cut off oxygen 40 days after leaving the hospital and began practicing breathing exercises to regain his strength: “At first I could not walk or get out of my bed to the bathroom because I felt ashamed. These days I feel good.” However, his recovery process coincided with an emotional loss: “As a result of Covid and the problems that I never lack, I am suffering from a family setback. My ex-wife decided to step down and end the relationship. We separated in a very nice way.”
Despite the limitations, he maintains hope of performing again: “I said, ‘The only way I can act again is for God to work in my mind and take what I have.’” “I’ve been trying, and I’ve been reading a lot to see if God has suddenly given me the opportunity, the joy, the gift to get back in front of a small screen, in front of a big screen, to do what I love to do most,” he said.
The actor also spoke about his desire to return to the job he cares so much about. He added: “Sometimes I dream that I’m recording something, anything, because it was really what I studied, and this is what I love, and what I’m passionate about and they pay me to do it, and I’ll do it for free. It’s a very nice thing, like it energizes you.”
“I had to do everything, literally everything. I started selling some of my family’s products like fruits and vegetables, and I sold clothes, lotions and jeans. Transportation apps helped me for a long time,” he explained.
He currently lives in Barranquilla, where he works to support his family: “Here I put all my eggs in one basket. I have no other options now in my life. I’m going back to my beginnings with baby and kids clothing. I didn’t have a lot of resources, but I had a small factory and bought a large amount of children’s clothing. I have to open a page again, so people start looking at me and start buying from me. “What I have to do is sell, sell, sell.”
Giovanni Suarez continues his struggle to regain his memory and his place in the artistic environment. His story reflects the perseverance of an actor who does not let himself be defeated by adversity.
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