Carlos Ruiz Chapellín

Carlos Ruiz Chapellín (1865–August 1912) was a Venezuelan showman, filmmaker and performer around the turn of the 20th century. During this period, public entertainment began to grow in Venezuela. Having seen early examples of musical plays and films become popular, Ruiz Chapellín was inspired to produce for the theatre as well as cinema.

Though film was a relatively brief intermission in his business as a showman and theatre producer, he is best remembered for creating slapstick comedy films in the late 19th century. He was one of the first filmmakers in Venezuela; unusually for the era, he created films which had attempts at narrative stories, rather than actuality, and showed his and other films in lower-class venues at a time when the technology was otherwise considered upper class.

In theatre, he produced comedic zarzuelas during the time of development of modern Venezuelan theatre, with his work receiving displays of support from the president. Both his shows and films were noted for their Venezuelan identity and relevance to the common people of his country.