José Vega Santana, known by his stage name "Remi" (born February 28, 1958) is a singer and clown from Puerto Rico. His career as a clown, spanning over 35 years, began with the group "Los Dulces Payasos" ("The Sweet Clowns") after developing the character of Remi while a student at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico. He's one of the most famed clowns in Puerto Rico.

Family life

Vega is married to Bettina Mercado, president of Bettina Cosmetics. He has a daughter from a previous marriage to Marina Berti, Marina Vega Berti who participated in Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2013 as Miss Luquillo.

Early years

Vega was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, his mother was the lead singer in "Googie Santana" and his grandfather was former baseball player Pepe Santana. Ever since he was young, Vega knew that he wanted to be an entertainer. He started as a radio music programmer and announcer. Later, he joined the dance and theater company of María Teresa Miranda.

In the mid-1970s, Vega was a Psychology student in the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico. Vega performed under the stage name Ajonjolí in the musical clown-themed group. They made frequent appearances in the programming of WRIK-TV. It was there that the character of Remi first appeared in television, named after the musical cues do-re-mi which were shortened following the suggestion of Muñiz.

In 1986, the three clowns recorded an album for children which became a local hit. Vega joined forces with the musician Pedro Rivera Toledo and produced the theater production of El Soldadito de Plomo (The Little Lead Soldier) in which Vega played the leading role.

Singing career

He represented Puerto Rico in the OTI Festival 2000 with the song "", placing second. Vega received a hero's welcome upon his return to the island and was honored by the Puerto Rico House of Representatives and Senate for his distinguished career of 20 years.

Later years

Vega has traveled to many cities in the United States making presentations as "Remi". He had a comic book which was called Remi, El Clown which presented the adventures of Puerto Rico's Clown, Remi.

See also

  • List of Puerto Ricans
  • List of Puerto Rican songwriters

References

Citations

Bibliography

  • Haciendo Punto en Otro Son
  • Biografía del Payaso Remi José Vega Santana (Spanish)