Tin Tan is the man on Google…

The Mexican actor, singer and comedian was the official Google Doodle for September 19.

Born Germán Valdés, he was known for wearing zoot suits and popularizing Mexican-American pachuco culture and caló Spanglish slang speech. Tin Tan was born in Mexico City on this date in 1915, and launched his career in Ciudad Juarez. It was there, working as a janitor in a radio station, that he adlibbed into the microphone in an empty studio, not knowing it was live. He was an instant success and was promoted to radio announcer.

Tin Tan’s movie career followed, with the comedic character he created becoming a classic of Mexican cinema. He appeared in more than 100 films, and also voiced characters including The Jungle Book’s Balooand Cat O’Malleyin the Aristocats for Spanish-language versions ofDisneyfeatures.

Mysteriously, Tin Tan turned down the opportunity to appear on the cover of The Beatles‘ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. He was immortalized with a statue of his likeness that stands in the Zona Rosaneighborhood of Mexico City. 

The Tin Tan doodle, on what would have been his 104th birthday, is part of Google’s Hispanic Heritage Monthcelebration series.