I was wondering, whatever became of Gabriel Melgar, the young man they got to take Freddie's place on Chico and the Man ? (I honestly don't believe that anyone could take Freddie's place)..Why did the E True Hollywood Story and Can You hear The Laughter ? not include Tony Orlando ? He was one of Freddie's closest friends. Also, why did both not mention Scatman or James Komack ? or Alan Bursky ?
I know that David Wolper produced Chico, does anyone know where a person can contact Wolper productions ? thanks

I KNOW THAT GABRIEL WAS ON AN EPISODE OF THE LOVE BOAT DURING HIS STINT ON CATM. HE PLAYED A YOUNG ORPHAN THAT WAS SDOPTED BY ROBERT UHRICH AND HIS WIFE WHILE ON ACRUISE.
AFTER THAT I NEVER SAW HIM AGAIN.
IN REGARDS TO WHY THOSE PEOPLE WERE NOT MENTIONED IN THE INTERVIEW OR MOVIE I AM ONLY SPECULATING THAT PERHAPS LIKE MARIA AND ISAAC THEY DID NOT WANT TO BE A PART OF ANYTHING THAT PORTRAYED FREDDIE SO NEGATIVELY.
MIND YOU THAT IS JUST A GUESS.

Tonite I found in an old 1970's teen magazine I had, an old article on Raul. It tells some more about him & sheds some more light as to whay they got another Chico. Can you believe they thought Dellas son would replace Freddie? :mad::(

Here tis:

He seems like a nice boy, it's just sad how they tried to replace Freddie with him & Della's son. :(This kid was put in a bad situation at such a young age. & They thought in this article the show was gonna last???

Here is part 2:

here is what the internet movie database saya bout gabriel melgar:

"he grew up in southern california. he has two brothers and three sisters. graduated from glendale high in 1983. his father taught him to sing and play marimba, organ, and drums. he began performing in front of live audiences at the age of three or four. profession: biomedical engineering technician. hobbies: guitar, piano, classic rock, alternative music, jazz, and barbeques. "

you can be sure that the above is correct, becaust it was written by gabrielmelgar@hotmail.com !! it also says he married a woman named christina on march 22, 1997, and has two children.

there are a couple of other credits on his list (including a performance with sammy davis, jr.) but the rest is sort of scant. looks like he did well for himself, and came out normal!


jamison

Thanks for the info! I had wondered what had happened to him...

I wrote Gabriel a fan letter back in 1978!

(I was going to write one to Freddie when he was alive but I was too nervous, didn't know what to say, and then it was too late!)

I kept waiting for a letter back from Gabriel, but never got a reply! :(