Gabriel Iglesias

Iglesias was born July 15, 1976,{{cite web|title=Comedian Gabriel Iglesias Cancels Show After Testing Positive for COVID, Says He Feels 'Pretty Good'|url=https://people.com/health/comedian-gabriel-iglesias-cancels-show-covid-19-diagnosis-says-he-feels-pretty-good/|last=Ushe|first=Naledi|publisher=People|date=July 15, 2021|access-date=August 21, 2021|archive-date=August 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210821110021/https://people.com/health/comedian-gabriel-iglesias-cancels-show-covid-19-diagnosis-says-he-feels-pretty-good/|url-status=live}} in San Diego, California,[http://fluffyguy.com/bio "Bio"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418063453/http://fluffyguy.com/bio |date=April 18, 2012 }}. fluffyguy.com. Retrieved April 16, 2012. to Esther P. Mendez and Jesús Iglesias.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/GabrielIglesias/posts/10153711020339602?_fb_noscript=1 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/58407459601/10153711020339602 |archive-date=February 26, 2022 |url-access=limited|title=Gabriel Iglesias|website=www.facebook.com}}{{cbignore}} His mother Esther raised him as a single mother.[http://www.desertentertainer.com/articles/2014/05/01/top_stories/entertainment/doc5361c1f82cf9d530692847.txt "Gabriel Iglesias takes the stage at The Show for three days"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324035706/http://www.desertentertainer.com/articles/2014/05/01/top_stories/entertainment/doc5361c1f82cf9d530692847.txt |date=March 24, 2016 }}. Desert Entertainer. He is of Mexican heritage. He lived in Riverside, Corona, Santa Ana, Baldwin Park, and Compton before settling in Section 8 low-income housing in Long Beach, where Iglesias spent most of his youth.

Iglesias worked for a cell phone company in Los Angeles and in 1997 went into comedy full-time, though it resulted in him being evicted from his home and losing his car.Duck, Allison (July 23, 2009). [http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/news/2009/jul/23/gabriel-iglesias-fabulously-fluffy/ "Gabriel Iglesias: Fabulously Fluffy"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100906183142/http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/news/2009/jul/23/gabriel-iglesias-fabulously-fluffy/ |date=September 6, 2010 }}. Las Vegas Weekly

In 2000, Iglesias appeared in the sixth season of the Nickelodeon sketch comedy series All That, co-starring with Amanda Bynes and Nick Cannon.

Iglesias was a contestant on the fourth season of reality TV series Last Comic Standing in 2006, surviving elimination to become one of the final eight comics. He was disqualified at that point for having used a smuggled BlackBerry to communicate with family and friends, which violated the rules of the show.{{cite news|url=http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/nbc-last-comic-standing-4-eliminates-three-reveals-top-5-finalists-4225.php|title=NBC's 'Last Comic Standing 4' eliminates three, reveals Top 5 finalists|date=July 12, 2006|work=Reality TV World|access-date=October 7, 2011|archive-date=January 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119225514/http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/nbc-last-comic-standing-4-eliminates-three-reveals-top-5-finalists-4225.php|url-status=live}}

In 2007, Iglesias voiced an entire Mexican family in "Padre de Familia", a sixth season episode of the Fox TV animated comedy Family Guy. That same year, he began voicing a recurring set of identical twin characters on The Emperor's New School, a Disney animated series that he describes as his favorite voice work.

File:Gabriel Iglesias 111.jpg - 5176944953 (cropped).jpg

In 2011, Comedy Central debuted Gabriel Iglesias Presents Stand Up Revolution, a stand-up series that Iglesias produced and hosted, running for three seasons before ending in 2014.

Iglesias hosted/co-hosted six episodes of Equals Three, and played a strip club DJ and drug dealer in the 2012 film Magic Mike.

Iglesias voiced Ned and Zed in the 2013 DisneyToon Studios film, Planes.{{cite news|last=Waits|first=Anne|title=Comedian Gabriel Iglesias ready to bring on the laughs|url=http://chronicle.augusta.com/things-do/applause/2013-12-11/comedian-gabriel-iglesias-ready-bring-laughs|access-date=May 8, 2014|newspaper=The Augusta Chronicle|date=December 11, 2013|archive-date=May 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508144306/http://chronicle.augusta.com/things-do/applause/2013-12-11/comedian-gabriel-iglesias-ready-bring-laughs|url-status=live}} He also voiced characters in the animated films The Nut Job (2014){{cite news|last=Bickel|first=Britt|title=Gabriel Iglesias On His New Animated Movie 'The Nut Job'|url=http://kearth101.cbslocal.com/2014/01/24/gabriel-iglesias-on-his-new-animated-movie-the-nut-job/|access-date=May 8, 2014|date=January 24, 2014|archive-date=August 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810132210/http://kearth101.cbslocal.com/2014/01/24/gabriel-iglesias-on-his-new-animated-movie-the-nut-job/|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last=Rivera|first=Zayda|title=Gabriel Iglesias is a fluffy furry friend in 'The Nut Job'|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/gabriel-iglesias-fluffy-furry-friend-nut-job-article-1.1582084|newspaper=Daily News|location=New York|date=January 16, 2014|access-date=May 8, 2014|archive-date=May 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508191518/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/gabriel-iglesias-fluffy-furry-friend-nut-job-article-1.1582084|url-status=live}} and El Americano: The Movie (2016).

Iglesias is featured in the reality series Fluffy Breaks Even, which premiered on Fuse on October 1, 2015.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6d0NZgvKkg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/S6d0NZgvKkg |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|title="Fluffy Breaks Even" Premieres Tomorrow, October 1st on FuseTV!|website=YouTube|first=Gabriel|last=Iglesias|date=September 30, 2015|access-date=February 18, 2019}}{{cbignore}} The show was renamed Fluffy's Food Adventures upon its third season renewal in January 2017.{{cite web|url=https://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/fluffy-breaks-even-season-three-ordered-fuse-show-title-changed/|title=Fluffy Breaks Even: Season Three Ordered by Fuse, Show Title Changed|website=TVSeriesFinale|first=Jessica|last=Pena|date=January 6, 2017|access-date=February 18, 2019|archive-date=July 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704184107/https://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/fluffy-breaks-even-season-three-ordered-fuse-show-title-changed/|url-status=live}} From 2019 to 2020, he played Gabe Iglesias, in Mr. Iglesias, a Netflix original series about a teacher at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, California. In 2021, he voiced the character of Speedy Gonzales in the film Space Jam: A New Legacy and Picchu in Maya and the Three.

In 2022, Iglesias was the first comedian to sell out Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The concert was released to Netflix on October 18, 2022, as Stadium Fluffy.{{cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Sean|title=Stream It Or Skip It: 'Gabriel Iglesias: Stadium Fluffy' On Netflix, Swinging For The Fences At Dodger Stadium |url=https://decider.com/2022/10/18/gabriel-iglesias-stadium-fluffy-netflix-review/|website=Decider|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=October 18, 2022|access-date=June 10, 2023|archive-date=May 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521003847/https://decider.com/2022/10/18/gabriel-iglesias-stadium-fluffy-netflix-review/}}

Iglesias' comedy influences are Paul Rodriguez, Eddie Murphy, Robin Williams, and Bill Cosby.King, Scott ( October 6, 2011). {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20141021074256/http://www.laughspin.com/2011/10/06/the-laughspin-interview-with-gabriel-iglesias/ "The Laughspin interview with Gabriel Iglesias"]}}. Laughspin. He is known for his trademark Hawaiian shirts.{{cite web|url=https://www.latinpost.com/articles/142537/20191108/latino-comedians.htm|last=Benitt |first=Michael|title=7 Funniest Latino Comedians You Should Stream Now |publisher=Latin Post|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=November 8, 2019|access-date=July 24, 2022|archive-date=November 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109235151/https://www.latinpost.com/articles/142537/20191108/latino-comedians.htm}}

Iglesias often references his weight in his comedy. One of his most well-known sayings is "I'm not fat, I'm fluffy", which he proves by explaining the different "levels" of fatness. The five original levels, according to Iglesias, are "Big", "Healthy", "Husky", "Fluffy", and "DAMN!". A sixth level ("Oh, hell no!") was added in 2009, following its perceived discovery in Las Cruces.{{cite web|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jul/23/very-early-morning-life-gabriel-iglesias/|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|last=Feldberg|first=Sarah|title=A very early morning in the life of Gabriel Iglesias|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=July 23, 2009|access-date=August 3, 2022|archive-date=August 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220803134953/https://lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jul/23/very-early-morning-life-gabriel-iglesias/}}

Regarding how novice comedians can widen their fan base, Iglesias stated in a January 2016 interview:{{cite web|last=Garasa|first=Cesaro|url=https://www.bakersfield.com/entertainment/gabriel-iglesias-hits-stage---and-bakersfield-restaurants/article_92482f5e-210e-5af2-a243-ba477c51bb22.html|title=Gabriel Iglesias hits stage - and Bakersfield restaurants|newspaper=The Bakersfield Californian|via=Bakersfield.com|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=January 13, 2016|access-date=July 24, 2022|archive-date=July 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190727170537/https://www.bakersfield.com/entertainment/gabriel-iglesias-hits-stage---and-bakersfield-restaurants/article_92482f5e-210e-5af2-a243-ba477c51bb22.html}}

{{blockquote|In the beginning, work as clean as you possibly can and stay away from topics that could be controversial or offensive. For example, don't talk about politics, don't talk about religion. Stay away from sports. Talk about things that are relatable to everyone. The more relatability you have, the bigger the fan base you're going to have.}}

On February 10, 2012, Iglesias was presented with several awards by the city of El Paso, Texas, including the key to the city and the Beacon of H.O.P.E Award from the nonprofit organization Operation H.O.P.E.Hinojosa, Alex (February 10, 2012). [https://archive.today/20120730061347/http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_19938025?source=most_viewed "Comedian Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias gets key to the city"]. El Paso Times. On March 12, 2025, Iglesias had his handprints and signature cemented at Grauman's Chinese Theater.{{cite web|date=March 11, 2025|title=Comedian Gabriel 'Fluffy' Iglesias cements his place in Hollywood outside the TCL Chinese Theatre|url=https://abc7.com/post/gabriel-iglesias-proudly-placed-handprints-wet-cement-ceremony-honoring-top-selling-comedian/16009104/|access-date=April 1, 2025|publisher=ABC 7 News}}

Since 2010, Iglesias has lived in Whittier, California.{{cite web |url=http://www.nbc.com/Last_Comic_Standing/comics/gabriel_iglesias.shtml |title=Gabriel Iglesias |work=Last Comic Standing |publisher=NBC |access-date=October 7, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029172804/http://www.nbc.com/Last_Comic_Standing/comics/gabriel_iglesias.shtml |archive-date=October 29, 2010 }} He was in a long-term relationship with Claudia Valdez, with whom he has a self-proclaimed stepson named Frankie whom he calls his son.{{cite web |last1=Strohm |first1=Emily |title=Netflix Star Gabriel Iglesias on Why He Took a Break from Comedy: 'I Needed an Emotional Rebuild' |url=https://people.com/tv/gabriel-iglesias-on-why-he-took-a-break-from-comedy-emotional-rebuild/ |website=People |access-date=November 5, 2021 |date=June 17, 2020 |archive-date=November 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105160205/https://people.com/tv/gabriel-iglesias-on-why-he-took-a-break-from-comedy-emotional-rebuild/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web|last=Brooks|first=Dave|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8094251/gabriel-iglesias-battle-depression-alcohol-returns-tour|title=After Battle with Alcohol & Depression, Comedian Gabriel Iglesias is Back with New Tour|magazine=Billboard|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=January 15, 2018|access-date=July 24, 2022|archive-date=July 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220724172728/https://www.billboard.com/pro/gabriel-iglesias-battle-depression-alcohol-returns-tour/}} According to a June 2020 People article, he and Valdez divorced in 2017, which led him to cancel some performances, and to quit drinking for two years. Despite the breakup, he still maintains a close relationship with Frankie, whom he helped raise.

In a 2024 interview with Neal Brennan, Iglesias stated that he did not grow up with a specific religion despite his family being originally Roman Catholic, since his mother held syncretist beliefs regarding religion—for example displaying crucifixes and images of the Virgin Mary alongside Buddha and Ganesh statues and wearing a Star of David necklace. He remained uncatechized and mostly uninvolved in organized religion during his upbringing, occasionally going to church on a friend's invite but ultimately shaping his moral framework based on his mother's guidance and personal experiences.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxslcHGy2fw |title=4 Comedians on Religion (Gabriel Iglesias, Taylor Tomlinson, Rainn Wilson, Judd Apatow) |date=2024-03-31 |last=Neal Brennan |access-date=2025-02-03 |via=YouTube}}

In The Fluffy Movie, Iglesias describes how at his heaviest, which he states was {{Convert|445|lb|kg|abbr=off}}, he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and with his blood sugar spiking to over 300 mg/dl (16.6 mmol/L) regularly, was given two years to live by his doctor. He said the shock of being told this had prompted him to reevaluate how he took care of himself and explained that he decided to lose weight in order to ensure his continued presence in the lives of his family. Iglesias described the struggle to incorporate a healthier lifestyle, relating how he was told by a specialist that his heavy touring schedule precluded him from being a candidate for bariatric surgery, and how he instead resorted to weight-lifting, Diamond Dallas Page Yoga, and a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet, which helped him shed over {{Convert|100|lb|kg|abbr=off}}. Iglesias has also struggled with depression and alcoholism, which he attributes partly to burnout from his heavy touring schedule.

On July 15, 2021, his 45th birthday, Iglesias tested positive for COVID-19, and cancelled his remaining shows at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts as well as the taping of his upcoming comedy special.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/GabrielIglesias/posts/368139248001278?__cft__[0]=AZXNJNJzcQUhrMJDdDavtUC96CADQNztthrm1jsBgyxJMLTMD5f2NAbX7bsAA9UaRkKPx8naXaujkm2fawkQmxzk5VR3cU32sp1yWf5mkqj1D1C9XpyziL691xuz3ah1PIAILFquRAAR9DbhknYKYeNljxuf_vwRMh-giqhwC-EPGA&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R|title=Important announcement I DON'T want to make on my bday ☹️ #gabrieliglesias #COVID19|first=Gabriel|last=Iglesias|work=Facebook|date=July 15, 2021|access-date=July 15, 2021|archive-date=July 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704184116/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGabrielIglesias%2Fposts%2F368139248001278%3F__cft__%255B0%255D%3DAZXNJNJzcQUhrMJDdDavtUC96CADQNztthrm1jsBgyxJMLTMD5f2NAbX7bsAA9UaRkKPx8naXaujkm2fawkQmxzk5VR3cU32sp1yWf5mkqj1D1C9XpyziL691xuz3ah1PIAILFquRAAR9DbhknYKYeNljxuf_vwRMh-giqhwC-EPGA%26__tn__%3D%252CO%252CP-R|url-status=live}}

• Hot and Fluffy (2008) Image Entertainment
• I'm Not Fat, I'm Fluffy (2009)
• We Luv Fluffy (2009)
• Aloha Fluffy (2013) Comedy Central
• I'm Sorry For What I Said While I Was Hungry (2016) Netflix
• One Show Fits All (2019) Netflix
• Stadium Fluffy (2022) Netflix

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• {{Official website|1=http://www.fluffyguy.com}}
• {{iMDb name|407101}}

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Category:1976 births

Category:Living people

Category:20th-century American comedians

Category:20th-century American male actors

Category:21st-century American comedians

Category:21st-century American male actors

Category:American male actors of Mexican descent

Category:American male comedians

Category:American male film actors

Category:American male television actors

Category:American male television writers

Category:American stand-up comedians

Category:American impressionists (entertainers)

Category:American television producers

Category:American television writers

Category:Comedians from San Diego

Category:Hispanic and Latino American male actors

Category:Hispanic and Latino American television people

Category:Last Comic Standing contestants

Category:Male actors from San Diego

Category:Wilson Classical High School alumni

Category:American sketch comedians

Category:Hispanic and Latino American male comedians

Category:Hispanic and Latino American stand-up comedians