- In an interview, he once stated that being recognized as Gomez Addams by children always brought a smile to his face. His family later said that this meant a lot to him during the final months of his life.
- He is the only man to win the Emmy Award and the Golden Globe posthumously.
- He is one of a few artists to be given a state funeral in his native Puerto Rico.
- Died while in a coma just days before his last theatrical movie, Street Fighter : L'Ultime Combat (1994), was finished. The film is dedicated to his memory. He accepted the role of M. Bison because his children were fans of the video games.
- Was originally supposed to play Don Diego De la Vega in Le Masque de Zorro (1998), but died before he could take the role.
- Originally cast for the role of Bucho in Desperado (1995), but he got sick during filming and had to be replaced. He passed away shortly after.
- His father was the pioneer who brought pizza to Puerto Rico when he added it to the menu of his already popular fried chicken.
- He was a passionate supporter of The Hunger Project, a foundation devoted to the elimination of world hunger. For 17 years, he served as the Project's spokesman.
- Earned a B.A. in drama from University of Puerto Rico.
- Buried at Buxeda Cemetery (Cemeterio Buxeda) in Cupey, Puerto Rico.
- Father of two sons with Poloway, Raul and Benjamin.
- Was nominated for four Best Actor (Musical) Tony Awards: in 1972, for "Two Gentlemen of Verona", in 1975 for a revival of "Where's Charley?", in 1977, for playing Macheath in a revival of "The Threepenny Opera", and in 1982 for "Nine". He never won.
- Was struggling with stomach cancer for about three years prior to his death. Underwent a surgical operation for it in 1993. He explained his massive weight loss in the months prior to his death from that of being on a macrobiotic diet. He denied to the very end that he was suffering from cancer even after unnamed associates told reporters the true nature of his condition.
- Friends with Edward James Olmos, and Barry Primus,.
- Member of the Phi Sigma Alpha fraternity in Puerto Rico
- Godfather of writer Mylo Carbia.
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