Chiquito de la Calzada became very popular in Spanish TV shows (especially
Genio y figura) during the mid-nineties due to his unique style, strongly based on a
surreal and histrionic approach to jokes and language, and constant gesticulation and movement while telling his jokes, placing his hands on his waist as if he had lower backache. Some of his characteristic words and expressions such as
Fistro or
Jarl, as well as his humorous lines or hyperbolic comparisons such as "you work less than Tarzan's tailor" quickly became
memes and are now part of
Spanish slang. His moves and jargon were so influential to other Spanish comedians, that some TV characters such as
Crispín Klander,
Lucas Grijander and
Nuñito de la Calzada were entirely built around his image, style and influence. There is a
mod for the video game
Doom featuring his voice. On 18 February 2019, he posthumously received the
Medalla de Oro al Mérito en las Bellas Artes. ==Personal life==