television, he had a weekly program that was successful in children's entertainment along with El Capitán Piluso (played by Alberto Olmedo) and El circo de Marrone starred by José Marrone. Balá was a supporter of football club Chacarita Juniors. On several occasions a flag with Balá's figure was placed in the stands of Chacarita stadium. He was tempted by various groups of the club to run for president of the club but he always and emphatically refused because he believed that the club did not need him at that time. In November 2018, at the request of the club, the artist Jorge Pagliano painted a mural with the image of Balá on one of the stadium walls. In the mid-1950s, close to turning thirty, he met eighteen-year-old Martha Venturiello, with whom he had a seven-year courtship until his marriage in 1962. Shortly after, they had two children, Laura and Martín . They remained together for nearly seventy years, from 1955 until his death. He stated on several occasions that she was his love "for life". On 22 September 2022, he died at the age of ninety-seven, after being admitted to the Güemes Sanatorium, located in the neighborhood of Palermo, after suffering a bout of hypotension. Career Early career Balá made his professional debut in 1955, being hired by Délfor Dicásolo to be part of the team of La revista dislocada, a successful comedy show broadcast on Radio Splendid that was considered a birthplace of artists. After a disagreement with Dicásolo in 1958, Balá left the program and formed a comedy trio with Jorge Marchesini and Alberto Locati starring in Los tres..., on Radio El Mundo, along with announcer Antonio Carrizo. The trio became very popular and participated in El show de Andy Russell. Then they starred in ¡Qué plato!, and were together until 1960. Later, each one started their own career individually. Balá managed to establish himself solidly in the show. Recognition and popularity He began to participate in La Telekermese Musical on Canal 7, he was also offered to be Joe Bazooka and collaborated in El show de Antonio Prieto and in El show de Paulette Christian. In addition, he played his character Jacobo Gómez on Radio Splendid. In 1962 he participated in Telecómicas, on Canal 9 and in Calle Corrientes, on Canal 7 as well as in El show super 9 with Mirtha Legrand and Duilio Marzio. In