"Sábado Gigante" and host Don Francisco ended a 53-year run on Saturday with kind words of congratulations from stars like Enrique Iglesias, Gloria Estefan, Shakira, and Marc Anthony. Aside form a slew of celebrities, Eric Garcetti, the mayor of Los Angeles, also gave his thanks. As did President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama.

“This show is going to be different, distinctive,” said the host at the top of his show.

“We want a spirit of celebration. We want there to be emotion, but we want it to be a modest show that you would want to participate from your home," Francisco added, as quoted in the Los Angeles Times.

Francisco, the 74-year-old creator of the Latin TV phenomenon, made a humble exit, telling his audience that his show was not the work of one man alone.

As the Associated Press reported, the Chilean-born media personality -- whose real name is Mario Kreutzberger -- said, "It is done by a team, by many people, many of whom you do not see, you do not know who they are, but they work hard, they put their hearts into it and their talent into it."

Anthony described his first appearance on the show as being monumental in terms of his artistic development and even his maturity, saying, "I was young and insecure and I felt as if I had graduated.”

President Obama congratulated Francisco on what he called an extraordinary career. “For decades, you’ve helped millions of Americans appreciate that the family is No. 1,” the president said.

Before he left the stage, Francisco was joined by his brother, his wife and his children, as well as several grandchildren.

"I never thought we would get this reaction. It's very emotional to see that this show had such an impact, that we showed to the very last day how professional we are," he said.