Cantinflas, Mexico's famous comic actor, has died of lung cancer at his home in the capital, his son said. He was 81.
Cantinflas, whose real name was Mario Moreno, died Tuesday. He made 49 films over a half-century and was best-known abroad for his role as the devoted servant Passepartout, opposite David Niven in "Around the World in 80 Days."Cantinflas was one of six sons and two daughters born into an impoverished family in Mexico City.
He started out as a prize fighter in his teens, but even in the ring he was so funny that a talent scout lured him away to work in a circus tent show.