Marilyn Martinez was a talented and hilarious comedian who performed with various Latina troupes and solo acts. She was known for her witty and edgy jokes that often touched on topics like sex, men, and food. She was also a proud Mexican-American woman who embraced her heritage and culture in her comedy. Sadly, she passed away on November 3, 2007, at the age of 52, due to complications from colon cancer. This article will explore her life, career, and cause of death in more detail.
Early Life and Career
Marilyn Martinez was born on February 9, 1955, in Denver, Colorado. She started her entertainment career as a child, tap-dancing on a local TV show. She later developed a passion for acting and food, which she combined in her stand-up routines. She moved to Los Angeles around 1989, where she connected with her Mexican roots and joined the comedy scene. She became a regular performer at The Comedy Store in Hollywood, where she met and befriended many fellow comedians. She also joined several Latina comedy groups, such as the Hot and Spicy Mamitas, the Hot Tamales, and the Original Latin Divas of Comedy. She appeared in numerous TV comedy specials, such as 1st Amendment Stand Up, Hot Tamales Live: Spicy, Hot and Hilarious, and The Latin Divas of Comedy. She also toured with comic Paul Rodriguez from 1996 to 2003. According to her website, she was working on a one-woman show called “Not Skinny, Not Blonde” before her death.
Acting Credits and Recognition
Besides stand-up comedy, Marilyn Martinez also had some acting credits in film and TV. She appeared in the 2003 film Pauly Shore Is Dead, where she played herself as one of the comedians who attended Pauly Shore’s funeral. She also had a role in the 2002 film For Da Love of Money, where she played a character named Mama. On TV, she had a guest appearance on the ABC sitcom My Wife and Kids, where she played a maid named Rosa. She also participated in the 2004 reality show Urban Jungle on SiTV, where she competed with other urbanites in a survival challenge in the wilderness. She received several awards and honors for her comedy work, such as the 2004 Nosotros Golden Eagle Award for Outstanding Comedian, the 2005 Tecla Award for Best Female Comic, and the 2006 Imagen Award for Best Live Theatrical Production for The Latin Divas of Comedy.
Cause of Death and Legacy
Marilyn Martinez was diagnosed with colon cancer in early 2007, after experiencing symptoms such as abdominal pain, weight loss, and fatigue. She underwent chemotherapy and surgery, but the cancer had already spread to other organs. She died on November 3, 2007, at 10:16 a.m., at a Hollywood hospital, surrounded by her family and friends. She was survived by her husband, John David Crowder, whom she married in 2003, and her son, Anthony, from a previous marriage. She was also mourned by her fans and colleagues, who remembered her as a funny, fearless, and generous person. Her funeral was held on November 10, 2007, at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills, where she was buried. A memorial service was also held on November 11, 2007, at The Comedy Store, where many comedians paid tribute to her with jokes and stories. Her comedy legacy lives on through her recordings, videos, and website, where people can still enjoy her humor and personality.
