Peruvian television icon Enrique Eduardo Espejo Peña, universally celebrated by audiences under his stage name ‘Yuca’, passed away on Friday, September 11, 2026, at the age of 75. Confirmed by fellow comedian and longtime collaborator Jorge Benavides via social media, the legendary performer leaves behind a towering legacy in Latin American sketch comedy.
The Peruvian entertainment landscape has lost one of its most recognizable and organically gifted physical comedians. Best known for anchoring decades of laughter alongside Jorge Benavides in ratings-dominant programs like Risas y Salsa, El Especial del Humor, and JB en ATV, Enrique Espejo defined an era of television comedy characterized by sharp improvisation, memorable catchphrases, and an undeniable knack for extracting pure joy from silent reactions.
The Bottom Line
- The Loss: Enrique Espejo, beloved Peruvian comic icon ‘Yuca’, died on September 11, 2026, at 75, as confirmed by longtime colleague Jorge Benavides.
- The Career: Spanning decades from the 1980s onward, Espejo became a household name through seminal shows like Risas y Salsa and El Especial del Humor.
- The Health Struggle: The actor had spent the past year away from television following a severe fall in March 2025 that led to extended hospitalizations.
A Legacy Forged in Improv and Iconic Television
Throughout a career that stretched across major networks and decades of changing television formats, Enrique Espejo cemented his status as a cornerstone of Peruvian humor. According to historical accounts shared across national media including RPP, Espejo’s professional breakthrough began in the 1980s on the iconic program Risas y Salsa. It was during those early years on set, working alongside contemporaries like Adolfo Chuiman, that the moniker ‘Yuca’ took permanent root.
From there, his footprint expanded across foundational sketch comedies including JB el imitador, JB noticias, La paisana Jacinta, Los inimitables, El wasap de JB, and feature film appearances such as Asu Mare 2.
Chronology of a Storied Television Career
| Era / Years | Program / Production | Key Network / Medium |
|---|---|---|
| 1980–1990 | Risas y Salsa | Peruvian Television |
| 1994–2001 | JB noticias | Peruvian Television |
| 1999–2002 | La paisana Jacinta | Peruvian Television / Film |
| 2011–2014 | El especial del humor | Latina Televisión |
| 2021 | JB en ATV | ATV |
Remembering the Man Behind the Laughter
Following the confirmation of his passing, tributes poured in instantly from across the industry. Jorge Benavides led the public mourning, sharing emotional video snippets of classic sketches like “La farmacia” and “La jugada polémica” on his official channels. Here is the kicker: rather than focusing solely on grief, Benavides emphasized the unmatched comedic chemistry that made Espejo an irreplaceable fixture of his productions.
“Yuca era ese personaje que te daba la posibilidad de improvisar y nunca se quedaba callado,” Benavides wrote, highlighting how Espejo’s lightning-fast spontaneity elevated every scene they shared. Colleagues and fans alike flooded social media platforms with condolences, acknowledging the profound void left by an artist who required little more than his signature presence to command a room and captivate millions.
Navigating Health Battles Away from the Limelight
While audiences remembered him fondly for his vibrant television presence, Espejo’s final chapter was marked by private medical battles. The beloved comedian had been entirely absent from television screens over his final year due to a sharp decline in health, triggered by a severe fall in March 2025 that necessitated emergency care in the Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos at the Hospital Alberto Sabogal and later at the Hospital Casimiro Ulloa.
Out of respect for the artist’s privacy, his family kept specific clinical diagnostics closely guarded. Although fellow actor Martín Farfán noted in June 2026 that Espejo had secured his release following an extensive hospital stay, the veteran comic remained largely out of the public eye, resting at home until his passing. As colleagues and generations of devoted viewers process the loss, Enrique Espejo’s enduring contributions to Latin American comedy remain securely etched into the cultural fabric of Peruvian television history.
