Hernando Casanova Escobar known as El Culebro Casanova (April 21, 1945 - October 24, 2002), was a Colombian actor, director, singer, and host. He is considered one of the precursors of comedy and one of the most important actors in the history of Colombia. His versatility as an actor led him to become one of the greatest icons of acting in Colombia. He was considered during a gap of his career as the best actor in Colombia. In a career spanning over four decades, he received multiple recognitions for his artistic achievements. Casanova started out as a singer at the Club del Clan (1966) and then debuted as an actor with a minor role in Cartas a Beatriz (1969). Later His career gained national recognition for his role as Hernando María de las Casas in the TV series Yo y tú (1975) by Alicia del Carpio. Wide acclaim and recognition came with his breakthrough role as Eutimio Pastrana Polanía from Don Chinche (1982-1989) by Pepe Sánchez. Where fed with the idiosyncrasy of his hometown, he became one of the most representative and influential figures in the history of Colombian Television. Likewise, Casanova was a pioneer in the sketches format when he was directing, writing and acting in Los Meros Recochan Boy’s, a section of Jimmy Salcedo's hit show El Show de Jimmy (1971-1993). Other of his most notable roles include Salomón in Embrujo Verde (1977), his leading role in Farsán (1983), as host in El tiempo es oro, su pueblo gana (1986), Wilson Rodríguez in El Pasado no perdona (1991), Yardines Murillo in Perro Amor (1998) and Vicente Secretario in Amor a mil (2001). In cinema, Casanova was the flagship actor of the Chilean filmmaker Dunav Kuzmanich, even naming him as "the best Colombian actor of all time". Casanova acted in films such as Canaguaro (1981), La agonía del difunto (1982), Mariposas S.A (1986) and Apocalipsur (2007).