Norma Candal - "Petunia"

"Petunia"

In 1965, she was hired by Rafael Perez Perry as the host of the television show "En Alas de la Imaginacion" (On the Wings of the Imagination) which aired on "WIPR TV" Channel 11. Shortly thereafter, she joined Tommy Muñiz Productions in Channel 4 WAPA TV.

It was during this period of time that Candal gained fame in Puerto Rico. She worked in the shows "Aquí con Norma" (Here with Norma); El Show del Mediodía (The Midday Show) and La Criada Malcriada (The Rude Maid) where she played the comical role of "Petunia", a "simple minded" maid, a role that would give her fame. She also hosted talk shows, either alone or with other co-hosts (including Sunshine Logroño)

In 1970, there was a strike against Tommy Muñiz Productions, which forced Candal to leave the show and join "ASTRA Productions" for which she did a couple of shows. Candal stopped working in television for several years after undergoing an open heart surgery in which she had a valve replacement.

In 1980, Candal went to work for Cardinal Luis Aponte Martinez at the Cathedral of San Juan. In 1985, she returned to television and starred as Doña Tere in La Pensión de Doña Tere (Mrs. Tere's Boarding House). Norma Candal also participated in the Spanish version of the play Steel Magnolias; The Letters of Mozart; The Old Maids of San Sebastian Street, and Kisses on the Forehead.