STATEMENT: NHMC Remembers Comedian Bill Dana as Conscientious and Creative Friend

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 20, 2017

CONTACT Clarissa Corona 213.718.0732 communications@nhmc.org

NHMC Remembers Comedian Bill Dana as Conscientious and Creative Friend

Over the weekend, comedian and comedy writer Bill Dana passed away peacefully in his Nashville home at the age of 92. Bill Dana was best known for playing the role of José Jiménez, a popular character in the 1960s that Dana created and portrayed on multiple variety shows, including his own, “The Bill Dana Show.” In 1970, after hearing the concerns of the Latino community relating to the negative stereotypes associated with the Jiménez character, Bill announced that he would stop portraying Jiménez. Said Alex Nogales, President and CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition: “Our good friend and conscientious creative spirit, Bill Dana, has left us but his legacy remains. Dana played the stereotypical role of José Jiménez in the 60s but abandoned the profitable character because of the harm that it caused the Latino community. Dana listened to Latino leadership and learned how fictional misrepresentations of Latinos negatively skew public perspectives. I’m proud to have called him my friend and I always thanked him for his courage to sacrifice the character that was such a pivotal part of his career in entertainment. We need more people like Dana to stand up and change the face of the industry.” NHMC honored Bill in 2002 at their annual Impact Awards Gala for his contributions to the positive portrayal of Latinos on television. A comedy star in the 1950s and 60s, Bill’s character portrayals were reportedly a favorite of NASA’s first astronauts, the Mercury Seven, who made him the honorary eighth member of the group.

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The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) is a media advocacy and civil rights organization for the advancement of Latinos, working towards a media that is fair and inclusive of Latinos, and towards universal, affordable, and open access to communications. Receive real-time updates on Facebook, Twitter @NHMC and Instagram @NHMC_org.

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National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) is a 40+ year old 501(c)(3) non-profit, nonpartisan, civil and human rights organization that was founded to eliminate hate, discrimination, and racism toward Latino and marginalized communities.

We advance Latino visibility and influence from the halls of Washington, D.C., to the studios of Hollywood. Through our media advocacy and workforce development initiatives, NHMC creates spaces where diverse creators can connect, collaborate, and thrive. Our Series Scriptwriters Program, Latinx Stream Showcase, Creators Networking Program, Careers in Entertainment Youth Program, and Media Advocacy Fellowships serve as both incubators and pipelines, preparing the next generation of storytellers, advocates, and industry leaders. Through mentorship, education, networking opportunities, and direct access to entertainment executives, these programs help transform emerging talent into lasting industry voices while expanding authentic representation across media.

We lead the work to eliminate online hate and disinformation across media platforms. We advocate in the space of Artificial Intelligence when it intersects with civil & human rights, including making sure Latino-Interest and children’s protections are included in AI initiatives and implementations. We advocate for the Affordable Connectivity Program, Lifeline Program, Net Neutrality protections, and closing the digital divide for Latino and other marginalized communities. NHMC works in partnership with other social justice organizations to safeguard democracy in the United States of America.

NHMC is a not-for-profit, and provides equal opportunities to all individuals without regard to race, religion, national origin, disability, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

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