Paul Díaz

Distinguished Cuban actor of stage, radio, and television, later a professor of performing arts. Born in Havana, he grew up in Tampa, Florida, and by the time he was ten years old, was already acting as a member of a children performing ensemble at the Tampa Cuban Circle. In 1930 he graduated from Hillsborough High School where he took part in the Drama Club. By 1932 he was back in Havana where he decided on an acting career. After taking classes from noted drama coaches in the Capital of Cuba, he started appearing as a non-professional in various plays and singing competitions. His deep baritone voice called the attention of casting agents and Paul finally made his professional debut in 1936 at the prestigious Teatro Nacional of Havana in several zarzuelas and operettas. Later he became a leading actor in radio plays gaining great popularity throughout the island as well as critical acclaim. When television arrived in 1950, Paul made an effortless transition to the new medium without ever leaving his performances on stage and radio. Loved and respected by all for his talents as well as his sober proper image, he was recognized by the public and media alike as "the great gentleman of the stage." In time Paul was named Programming Director of the cultural radio station owned by Cuba's Ministry of Education, and also Professor of Performing Arts for the Cuban Association of Artists. During his remarkable career he won nine trophies as the best leading man on radio plays and, for three consecutive years, he was named by critics the best character actor of Cuba. With the arrival of the Cuban Revolution in 1959, Paul knew he could no longer live in Cuba. The communist regime not only controlled his professional activities but aimed also, according to him, to control his mind. After some struggles to obtain the required documentation, Paul Díaz escaped to Miami never to go back to the unfortunate island of his birth. In The United States he had to begun his career from zero and found work mostly in Spanish language radio stations. However his importance was finally recognized by the University of Florida which granted him a post as Professor of Performing Arts and Executive Director of its Koubek Center. In November of 1982, the prestigious Cruzada Educativa Cubana (Cuban Educative Crusade), presided by Dr. María Gómez, marked the 50th anniversary of Paúl Díaz most prominent career by naming him the best radio performer of spoken word in Cuba and The United States. This "greatest man of the spoken word", the gentleman of the stage, passed away quietly in his Miami home on Sunday, June 24, 2007.