Born in Málaga on May 28, 1932, Gregorio Esteban Sánchez Fernández, who used the stage name Chiquito de la Calzada, was a Spanish entertainer. His stage name derived from Calzada de la Trinidad, the street where he was born. He initially pursued a career as a flamenco singer and actor, performing on stage for the first time at age eight as part of 'Capullitos Malagueños,' a children’s company. His father was an electrician, and he had two siblings, Francisco and Tomás. He developed his flamenco singing skills during this period, and later toured internationally, including spending two years in Japan. A brief appearance in the American TV series 'Vacaciones en el mar' as a palmero occurred in 1985. Chiquito de la Calzada achieved widespread fame as a stand-up comedian after being discovered for television by producer Tomás Summers in 1994. He quickly gained popularity on the Spanish TV show Genio y figura (1994–1995), which significantly boosted his visibility. His comedy style was characterized by surreal and histrionic jokes, utilizing language, gesticulation, and movement. A distinctive feature of his performances was placing his hands on his waist while telling jokes, seemingly mimicking lower back pain. The show’s success was remarkable; in October 1994, a compilation of his jokes drew a larger audience than a Real Madrid football match, and a video compilation, also titled 'Genio y figura,' sold 280,000 copies within three months. He also appeared on the 'Bolero Mix 11' album in 1994. Beyond Genio y figura , Chiquito de la Calzada’s work included appearances in films such as Aquí llega Condemor, el pecador de la pradera (1996), Papá Piquillo (1998), and Torrente 5 (2014), as well as television shows like Señor alcalde (1998). Phrases and expressions he used, such as 'Fistro' or 'Jarl,' became popular memes and part of Spanish slang, and humorous comparisons, like ‘you work less than Tarzan’s tailor,’ also entered common usage. Roles like Crispín Klander, Lucas Grijander, and Nuñito de la Calzada emerged, shaped by Chiquito de la Calzada’s distinctive acting and characterization. He contributed to radio programs like 'La mañana,' 'Hoy por hoy,' and 'Protagonistas,' and served as the herald for the Feria de Málaga in August 1996. He died in Málaga on November 11, 2017, following a period of declining health, including hospitalizations in October 2017. Following his passing on February 18, 2019, he received the Medalla de Oro al Mérito en las Bellas Artes.
