Jesús Melgoza, known professionally as Chuy Bravo, appeared in every episode of the talk show Chelsea Lately from 2007 until its conclusion in 2014. Born in the Tangancícuaro Municipality in 1956, he spent his later life between Mexico and the United States, maintaining dual citizenship while pursuing a career that spanned film, television, and pornography.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
The youngest of seven children, Bravo moved with his family to the San Fernando Valley at age fifteen. Following graduation from Sylmar High School, he worked assembling PC boards and operated a janitorial business. After struggling with alcohol abuse in the 1990s, he spent sixteen months in prison for driving under the influence. Upon release, he enrolled in acting classes for two years. His professional film debut occurred in the early 2000s, though his first role in Austin Powers in Goldmember was ultimately removed from the final edit.
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Bravo gained prominence as the sidekick to Chelsea Handler on Chelsea Lately, a role secured through a mutual director friend. Concurrently, he appeared in the mockumentary After Lately from 2011 to 2013. His film credits include Tiptoes, The Rundown, The Honeymooners, and an uncredited appearance in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. Beyond mainstream media, he worked in the adult film industry, most notably with Vivid Entertainment.
Philanthropy and Business Ventures
In 2013, he opened a Hollywood eatery named Chuy Bravo's Taqueria, which served burritos, nachos, and sopes, alongside a signature line of chips and salsa. His philanthropic efforts included the Little Nugget Foundation in his hometown to support those struggling with alcohol addiction and the Bravo Academy in Los Angeles, which focused on assisting Latino talent in the entertainment industry. He also published a book titled Little Nuggets of Wisdom Big Advice from the Small Star of Chelsea Lately in 2010.
Health and Death
Bravo lived with dwarfism and stood 4 feet 3 inches tall. He survived a prostate cancer diagnosis in 2012. In 2013, he joined the cast of the reality competition Splash but withdrew after breaking his heel during training. On December 14, 2019, he was taken to the Dalinde Medical Center in Mexico City suffering from gastrointestinal bleeding. He experienced a heart attack and died at age 63.
Fast facts
- Born: 1956, Tangancícuaro Municipality
- Died: 2019, Mexico City
- Education: Sylmar High School
- Height: 4 feet 3 inches (130 cm)
- Television career: Chelsea Lately (2007–2014)
- Notable book: Little Nuggets of Wisdom Big Advice from the Small Star of Chelsea Lately
- Citizenship: United States and Mexico
Questions readers ask
What was the cause of Chuy Bravo's death?
He died following a heart attack brought on by complications from gastrointestinal bleeding.
Did Chuy Bravo work in adult films?
Yes, he appeared in adult films, including projects for Vivid Entertainment.
