Comedy Central

In 1997, after a successful 23 year career in Mexico, Fernando Arau was hired by Univision, the most important Spanish language network in the United States, as host of "Despierta America", the highest rated morning Spanish language show in the country. "Despierta America" has been on the air for eight years attaining incredible success. It is a live, three-hour program that airs Monday through Friday from 7-10AM EST. Within a year of living in Miami, where Arau is famous for his talent and charisma, the Selection Committee of "Las Estrellas de la Calle Ocho" (Eighth Street Stars) and the Chamber of Commerce of Miami awarded Fernando with the famous "Estrella de la Calle Ocho" (Eighth Street Star). Two years later, due to his success, he engraved his hands in the famous "Paseo de las Luminarias" in Mexico. Producer, director and writer of his own shows; Fernando is so talented that he has dominated in every aspect of the entertainment industry: from being a mime and clown on the streets and parks to theater, motion picture, radio, and television as well.

Fernando was born to Alfonso Arau, producer and writer of movies such as "Como Agua Para Chocolate," and Magdalena Corona, a retired choreographer and dancer in Mexico's Folkloric Ballet. His brother, Sergio Arau, was the director, musician and producer for the movie "A Day without Mexicans", which is Fernando's latest movie appearance.

Fernando started his career at the young age of five; tap dancing with his parents and later on proved his many other talents. He was too young to remember his tap dancing years but today the talented and gifted Mexican is considered one of the best improvising mime comedians in his country and is immensely recognized in the United States. He worked for 22 years in Televisa, the biggest and most successful television production company in Latin America.

Fernando launched his career in Televisa by assisting audio technicians, editors, producers, writers, and scene directors. Later, he became a director, writer and actor for cable TV programs "Corazon Son" and "Ombligo Club" and a scene director for "La Rueda de la Fortuna" (The Wheel of Fortune). He was also the producer, writer, director and actor for the television series "Ni Hablar" and "Los Burandilla". He directed, wrote, and stared in the successful series "Cachun Cachun RaRa" which was produced by Mr. Luis de Llano. It aired on Televisa for seven consecutive years (1982-1989). He served as a writer and leading actor for the movie "Los Locos Locos Estudiantes."

He was nominated by the Mexican Cinematography Academy as best actor for his role in the movie "Chodoguan El Tacos de Oro," produced and directed by his father Alfonso Arau. He was also nominated by the same Academy as Best Actor for Gabriel Rates' movie "Bienvenido Welcome."

In 1985, Fernando became the founder and promoter for the "Nuevo Movimiento del Rock Mexicano en Español" (The New Mexican Rock Movement). This initiative built and inaugurated "Rockotitlan", the most important venue for this genre in Mexico "La Catedral del Rock" (1985-1990). This was a major launching platform for most current Mexican Rock Groups.

In 1987, Fernando also debuted as a stand up comedian with his musical-comedy show "Ni Hablar" and "Como Veo Doy." For these two shows, Arau won "El Premio La Sonrisa" (The Smile Award) awarded by the A.C. Humor Academy to the best comedian of the year. With smashing success, he received this award for nine consecutive years--becoming one of the most distinguished creative comedians and comedy writers in the Mexican entertainment industry.

In 1995, Fernando organized in Mexico the "Concurso para Humoristas Amateurs RIATATAN" (RIATATAN Contest for Amateur Humorists) which lasts one year in an effort to discover contemporary humor talent in Mexico. Several of those comedians are now quite prominent and are Fernando's most valuable legacy to the entertainment industry in Mexico.

Fernando is currently working on his first book called "Cocinando con Dios" (Cooking with God) and his new show called "Fernando Arau... Un Pasaje Se Su-Bida".