Erik Valdez (born Russell Erik Valdez; August 26, 1979) is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Trey Mitchell in the soap opera television series General Hospital (2012–2013), Carlito Solano Jr. in the drama television series Graceland (2014–2015) and Kyle Cushing in the superhero television series Superman & Lois (2021–2024).[1]
Erik Valdez | |
|---|---|
| Born | Russell Erik Valdez August 26, 1979 Lubbock, Texas, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Known for | General Hospital Superman & Lois |
| Spouse | Candice Lopez (m. 2016) |
| Children | 1 |
Early life
editValdez was born Russell Erik Valdez in Lubbock, Texas, on August 26, 1979, the son of Miguel and Karen Valdez. His father is of Spanish and Native American descent, while his mother is of English and Irish descent.[2] His parents were second-generation cotton farmers as he grew up in a close-knit family.[2]
Career
editAfter completing theater throughout the years since high school, Valdez pursued an acting career in film and television and he moved to Los Angeles in 2004. The same year, he made his acting debut as Chad in three episodes of Gilmore Girls. He has made guest appearances television shows, including CSI: Miami, 90210, Numbers and Mistresses. In 2012, Valdez played the recurring role of Trey Mitchell in the ABC soap opera television series General Hospital, until 2013 for 99 episodes, which earned Valdez a nomination for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series. From 2014 to 2015, Valdez played the role of crime boss Carlito Solano Jr. in the drama television series Graceland for 11 episodes.[3] In 2016, he played the role of Lopez in the direct-to-video film Jarhead 3: The Siege. The same year, he played an uncredited role of Officer Valducci in the drama film Paint It Black. In 2021, he portrayed the character Kyle Cushing in the superhero television series Superman & Lois, which premiered on The CW, featuring Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch.[4][5][6]
Personal life
editIn 2015, Valdez proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Candice Lopez, a hostess for Radio Disney, and they married in 2016. Together, they have a son: Enzo Ray Valdez (b. 2018).[2]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Zombrex: Dead Rising Sun | Dan (voice) | |
| 2016 | Jarhead 3: The Siege | Lopez | Direct-to-video |
| Paint It Black | Officer Valducci | Uncredited | |
| 2023 | Confidential Informant | Carlos |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Gilmore Girls | Chad | 3 episodes |
| 2005 | The O.C. | Jock | Uncredited Episode: "The Chrismukkah Bar Mitz-vahkkah" |
| 2007 | CSI: Miami | Frat Boy #2 | Episode: "Sunblock" |
| 2008 | Numbers | FBI Agent | Uncredited Episode: "Checkmate" |
| 2011–2012 | New Girl | D. Bag / Douchebag #2 | Episode: "Bad in Bed" and "The Story of the 50" |
| 2012 | 90210 | Eric | Episode: "A Tale of Two Parties" |
| 2012–2013 | General Hospital | Trey Mitchell | 99 episodes |
| 2012 | Breaking In | Hector | Episode: "The Hungover" |
| 2014–2015 | Graceland | Carlito Solano Jr. | 11 episodes |
| 2016 | Mistresses | Les Cheron | Episode; "Fight or Flight" |
| 2021–2024 | Superman & Lois | Kyle Cushing | Main cast[7] |
Video games
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Syndicate | Subverter (voice) | |
| 2021 | Far Cry 6 | General José Castillo (voice) |
References
edit- ^ Agard, Chancellor (June 8, 2021). "Superman & Lois star Erik Valdez unpacks that 'pivotal' Kyle twist". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
- ^ a b c Moore, Camille (July 6, 2021). "10 Things You Didn't Know about Erik Valdez". www.tvovermind.com. TV Overmind. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
- ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (February 11, 2014). "Graceland Exclusive: General Hospital Alum to Recur as Season 2 Crime Boss". www.tvline.com. TVLine. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
- ^ Petski, Denise (April 8, 2020). "'Superman & Lois': Erik Valdez To Play Lana Lang's Husband In the CW Series Based On DC Characters". Deadline Hollywood. Deadline. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
- ^ Aune, Sean P. (April 10, 2020). "Superman & Lois finds an actor for Lana Lang's husband". www.batman-news.com. Batman News. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
- ^ Bobbin, Jay (February 21, 2021). "'Superman & Lois' takes off as CW series premieres". www.bostonherald.com. The Boston Herald. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
- ^ Flook, Ray (April 8, 2020). "Superman & Lois Casts Erik Valdez in Series Regular Role". www.bleedingcool.com. Bleeding Cool News. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
External links
edit- Erik Valdez at IMDb