Manolo Rojas: biography of the Peruvian comedian

Víctor Manuel Rojas Ibáñez, known artistically as Manolo Rojas, was one of the most complete and best-loved artists of Peruvian entertainment. A comedian, impersonator, actor, singer, songwriter and restaurant businessman, he built from humble beginnings a career that took him from the streets of Huaral to the most important stages in the country — and even to the Congress of the United States.

Personal details and biographical profile

Childhood and humble origins in Huaral

Manolo Rojas was born on November 16, 1962 in the city of Huaral, in the province of the same name, into a family of humble means. From a young age he showed a special spark for making those around him laugh, although he never imagined that this natural ability would turn him decades later into one of the most emblematic figures of Peruvian popular culture.

In his early years he was a partner of the street comedian Juan Castellanos, known as “Tripita”. It was precisely in the streets and squares that Manolo learned the fundamentals of the trade: catching the audience's attention, holding it and turning everyday reality into a reason to laugh.

About that formative period, Manolo himself recalled: “I learned to go after my dreams, to trust myself, never to give up, and Tripita taught me that a comedian's mission is to give a message through humour.”

The first steps: from café theatre to Peruvian television

His career in the media began on the programme Hola, qué tal, hosted by the comedian Román “Ronco” Gámez, who discovered him in the 1990s. This was the springboard that launched him into the professional world of entertainment.

After that first television exposure, Manolo established himself on the café theatre circuit. He shared the stage with figures such as Miguel Barraza, Melcochita, Bettina Oneto, el Gordo Casaretto and Amparo Brambilla. Every night in the theatres of Lima was a school that sharpened his talent and broadened his repertoire of characters.

His arrival on the programme Risas y Salsa marked the start of his television consolidation. His talent took him to this iconic show, where he shared the stage with figures such as Adolfo Chuiman, Miguelito Barraza, Melcochita and Fernando Armas, establishing himself as one of the best-loved faces of Peruvian comedy.

His most famous impersonations: the art of becoming someone else

One of Manolo Rojas's most recognizable hallmarks was his ability to impersonate. Among his most notable impersonations are those of Pepe Ludmil, Lucho Izuski, Tito Navarro, Jorgito del Castillo, César Teacuña, Chuchi Díaz, Zambo Cabero and Juan Gabriel. However, the character that earned him a space of his own and made him truly famous was his impersonation of “el brother” Pablo, recognized by the evangelist Pablo Finkenbinder himself and shared nationwide.

This ability to become other people without losing his own essence was what set him apart within a genre that in Peru has always had great exponents.

Radio career: Los Chistosos on RPP, his home for more than 15 years

From 2008, Manolo Rojas was part of the programme Los Chistosos on RPP, making up the cast alongside Guillermo Rossini (until 2021), Hernán Vidaurre and Giovanna Castro.

That radio show became his most stable and best-loved platform. As part of the RPP family, Manolo stood out for his improvisation skills and for playing characters tied to current affairs. His presence turned the programme into a daily reference point for an audience that wanted to be informed and, at the same time, find relief in the middle of the news.

Every morning, thousands of Peruvians switched on the radio not only to hear the news, but to hear Manolo's unmistakable voice turning politics and everyday life into a reason for laughter.

Television career: from Risas y Salsa to Al Fondo Hay Sitio

Television was another of his great stages. On television, Manolo was part of programmes such as Risas y Salsa, Risas de América, Recargados de risa, JB Noticias, El Especial del Humor y El Reventonazo de la Chola. Through several of those shows also passed Enrique Espejo, Yuca, another classic face of television comedy who died in September 2026. His work also included productions such as La guardia Serafina, Cumbia Pop y Ojitos hechiceros.

In the field of television fiction, one of his best-remembered characters would come later. Between 2018 and 2021 he took part in the series De vuelta al barrio as the “Muqui”, the healer of the San José neighbourhood, playing the character again in the channel's next fiction series, Al fondo hay sitio.

Film career: three films that broaden his legacy

Besides comedy, Manolo Rojas developed other artistic sides. He also moved into cinema with productions such as “El candidato”, “Ceviche de tiburón” y “El manual del pisado”, broadening his presence in the audiovisual industry.

Manolo Rojas as singer and songwriter: more than 30 registered songs

He is a songwriter with more than 30 registered songs, some performed by well-known groups such as Agua Bella. In February 2022 he released his first single “Por enamorarme”, making his formal debut as a singer.

Music was always a parallel passion that Manolo cultivated discreetly for decades before he decided to show it to the public directly.

Personal life: his family, children and grandchildren

He is the father of two children: Ruby Rojas Alayo and Manuel Rojas Alayo, the latter also a comedian. He is the grandfather of three grandchildren: Lariza, Zoe and Antonio.

The young Ruby Rojas Alayo studied Dentistry at the Universidad Norbert Wiener and founded her own venture called Clínica Dental Happy Faces. In addition, for more than ten years she has been focused on her biggest hobby: bodybuilding, taking part in several national competitions.

His son Manuel, on the other hand, chose to follow in his father's artistic footsteps and works as a comedian.

About his role as a father, Manolo was always honest. He acknowledged frankly: “My children have never gone without anything. The mother of my children always tells me: you are a good father, but a bad husband. And, yes, I admit that I was a bad husband, the worst, and I apologized for that.”

Achievements and recognitions: from Peru to the Congress of the United States

In 2016, his career was recognized internationally with a distinction in the Congress of the United States, an achievement that reflected the impact of his career beyond Peru.

At national level, his mark was equally deep. He celebrated his 30 years of career with a special show at the Bianca Convention Centre in Barranco, and in November 2024 he celebrated his 36 years at the same venue, surrounded by friends, colleagues and generations of fans who grew up with his humour.

The businessman: “Don Manolo” restaurant in Huaral

Manolo Rojas was not only an artist. Taking up a dream he had been putting off since the pandemic, he opened his country restaurant in Huaral to keep alive the culinary heritage of his grandmother doña Sabina. The business, named Don Manolo, was born as a small but welcoming space, with authentic Huaral flavour.

The restaurant operates in the Jesús del Valle sector, plot 19, sub-lot 11, in Huaral, and opens on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 to 6 pm.

Manolo himself said: “I want to be the King of Chancho al Palo in my homeland and spread Huaral cuisine to the world.”

Difficult moments: the loss of his brother and his health problems

Manolo Rojas's life was not free of pain. Over the course of his life he faced difficult moments, such as the loss of his brother and manager during the pandemic, an experience that deeply marked his personal life. Despite that, he kept his bond with the public and stayed active on radio and television.

In his final months, Manolo also fought a silent battle with his health. A medical diagnosis forced him to become aware of the risks of hypertension and being overweight, which led to a strict discipline that allowed him to go from 93 to 82 kilos. Friends and colleagues saw him more committed than ever to his wellbeing.

Political involvement: the two runs for mayor of Huaral

Manolo Rojas also moved into local politics. He stood twice as a candidate for mayor of Huaral, experiences that ended with significant financial losses. Reflecting on it, he said: “In politics there is a lot of corruption, everything is manipulated, I lost a lot of money the two times I ran. Unfortunately, politics is good, it is the politicians who are bad.”

Death: Peru says goodbye to a legend of comedy

The death of Manolo Rojas, which happened on the night of Friday March 27 in the Lima district of La Victoria, caused an immediate reaction of shock not only in the artistic community, but also among the thousands of listeners and viewers who followed his career over decades on Peruvian radio and television.

His remains lay in state at the Gran Teatro Nacional in San Borja, where colleagues, friends and the public who loved him for more than three decades said their last goodbye.

Manolo Rojas's eternal legacy

The death of Manolo Rojas at 63 leaves a void in Peruvian comedy and in the RPP family, where his voice kept thousands of listeners company for years. His legacy lives on in his characters, in his recordings and in the memory of those who heard and watched him over decades.

Manolo Rojas was, above all, a man of the people who never forgot where he came from. His laughter came from the street, from Huaral, from humility — and that is why it reached so deep into the hearts of all Peruvians.

📅 Last updated: March 28, 2026 | Famosix.com

Manolo Rojas trivia

• Between 2018 and 2021 he took part in the series De vuelta al barrio as the “Muqui”, the healer of the San José neighbourhood, playing the character again in the channel's next fiction series, Al fondo hay sitio.
• In February 2022 he released his first single “Por enamorarme”, making his formal debut as a singer.
• He celebrated his 30 years of career with a special show at the Bianca Convention Centre in Barranco, and in November 2024 he celebrated his 36 years at the same venue, surrounded by friends, colleagues and generations of fans who grew up with his humour.
  • In February 2022 he released his first single “Por enamorarme”, making his formal debut as a singer.
  • He celebrated his 30 years of career with a special show at the Bianca Convention Centre in Barranco, and in November 2024 he celebrated his 36 years at the same venue, surrounded by friends, colleagues and generations of fans who grew up with his humour.

Sources consulted

• Infobae: Manolo Rojas died: who was Manolo Rojas?
• El Comercio: Manolo Rojas, icon of Peruvian comedy, died at 63
• La República: Goodbye to a great, who was Manolo Rojas and who are his heirs
• RPP: Manolo Rojas, the farewell to the ‘Chistoso’ who made humour a reading of the country
• Wikipedia: Manolo Rojas