Peruvian actress and comedian Monique Pardo broke down in tears as she arrived at the wake of fellow comedian Enrique Espejo, known to audiences as "Yuca," and used the moment to take aim at other performers in the industry, saying many who call themselves artists today are nothing.
Espejo, an icon of Peruvian comedy, died at 75 after a long health battle. His death was announced by comedian Jorge Benavides on Friday, September 11, 2026, and was followed by dozens of Peruvian artists posting condolences on social media.
Some of those artists also attended the wake in person on Saturday, September 12, held at the Parroquia San Antonio de Padua church in the Jesus Maria district of Lima. Pardo was among the first to arrive.
Pardo praises Yuca's humility
Speaking to La Republica upon her arrival, Pardo said Yuca was the humblest, kindest and most valuable person to her at that moment. She said she was making the effort to come see him because he deserved to be sent off the way he had earned. She called him a great man who was good, adding that his heart was worth gold.
Pardo said she felt a great deal of sadness because he was leaving young. She said she would remember his humility and nobility as an example that many current artists, people who call themselves artists but are nothing, ought to learn from.
A fotonovela shared with Yuca
Pardo also recalled a fotonovela the two had made together, saying she had not even remembered it until the news of his death. She said that when the project was first proposed to her she hesitated, and that Espejo told her, "Monique, it's my job." She said she hugged him and agreed to do it, even giving him a peck on the lips so it would look like a bigger kiss on camera, and that the fotonovela went on to be a big success.
Pardo said that after learning of Espejo's death, she went back and watched the fotonovela again and felt a flood of emotions. She said she no longer remembered the project but had watched it the night before and it had made her sad.
Pardo has been a familiar face on Peruvian television for decades, working across comedy and variety programs. Espejo, for his part, built his career as a comic actor and was widely regarded as one of the enduring figures of Peruvian comedy before his death.
