Rafael José

Who is Rafael José?

Dr. Rafael José Diaz is a Puerto Rican actor, singer and television host.

Rafael was born in Manatí, Puerto Rico, where his father, a physician born in the Dominican Republic, was the medical director of the local hospital. His family eventually moved to Mayagüez in Western Puerto Rico where he grew up. While living in Mayagüez he sang and acted in various amateur radio and television broadcasts, as well as in high school talent shows. His reputation as a powerful singer followed him to San Juan, Puerto Rico, while attending medical school . His family supported his singing career on the condition that he finished the dentistry program at the University of Puerto Rico's Medical School. He interrupted his studies for close to eight years when his singing career took off, but eventually finished his degree and became a dentist.

In 1980, he won the Festival OTI, in Argentina, with his interpretation of the song Contigo Mujer, which became an instant hit all over the Puerto Rican radio. The song was composed by singer Ednita Nazario and Laureano Brizuela. Another radio hit was "Yo Quiero Hacerte Olvidar", the theme song for the telenovela "Martha Llorens".