The Spanish-language radio personality known as “El Cucuy” received the 2,535th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Tuesday, honoring a career that included a six-year stint hosting Los Angeles’ most-listened to program.
Singers Graciela Beltran and Tony Melendez and Councilman Gil Cedillo joined “El Cucuy,” whose real name is Renan Almendarez Coello, in speaking in the late-morning ceremony in front of the newly developed Eastown LA residential and shopping complex on Hollywood Boulevard.
“This star is for Latin America, Central America, South America, Caribbean, Spain, Mexico and for my country, Honduras,” Coello said. “Honduras, I love you.”
Coello “has kept us tuned to the radio for his laughs, jokes and comforting words that effortlessly bridged borders and cultures,” said Leron Gubler, president and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and master of ceremonies for the Walk of Fame ceremonies. “His voice has inspired many generations.”
The ceremony came one week after Coello celebrated his 61st birthday.
Coello began his radio career in his native Honduras when he was 15 years old and moved to the United States in 1982.
Coello’s show, “El Cucuy de la Manana,” (“the Morning Boogeyman”) on KSCA-FM (101.9) was the top-rated radio program in the Los Angeles market from 1997-2003, when he moved to an afternoon show.
Coello’s show is now nationally syndicated and can be heard in the Los Angeles area on XEWW-AM (690).
In addition to his humor, Coello is known for his efforts in support of immigrant rights, including the 2006 Great American Boycott, and voter registration.
