Ricardo Chavira is a leading primetime actor, well known for roles including Carlos Solis in Desperate Housewives, Francisco Vargas in Scandal and will soon be seen portraying Abraham Quintanilla in the forthcoming Netflix series Selena.
Selena: The Series is an upcoming American biographical drama series based on the life of Tejano superstar Selena that is set to premiere on Netflix, with part one consisting of six episodes scheduled to be released in 2020.
Ricardo will star as Abraham Quintanilla, Selena's father. The series is being shot with the involvement and authorisation of Selena's family.
Desperate Housewives was one of the most successful series of its generation. It ran for eight series from 2004-12 and won multiple Primetime Emmy, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guide Awards. At its peak, it was watched by over 120 million people worldwide. Ricardo was one of the original cast, playing the downtrodden Carlos, husband of Eva Longoria's character Gabrielle Solis and remained part of the main cast until the final series in 2012.
In 2016 Ricardo starred as Frankie Vargas in season six of the award winning ABC series Scandal.
Prior to joining the cast of Desperate Housewives, Ricardo was an established actor, with a string of roles on primetime shows including The Grubbs, Six Feet Under and The Division. He also made a series of guest appearances in shows including NYPD Blue, Joan of Arcadia, Kingpin, Monk, Georgia Lopez and 24.
More recent TV projects include Burn Notice, Scandal, Jane the Virgin, Kevin Can Wait, Hawaii Five-0, Welcome to the Family, Santa Clarita Diet and Rise.
In 2016 Ricardo re-united with Eva Longoria for the NBC comedy Split Personalities.
TV films include Christmas Reservations and Mission Control.
Ricardo has enjoyed a successful stage career on both sides of the Atlantic.
In 2015 he starred in Motherfucker with the Hat, written by Pulitzer Prize winner Stephen Adly Guirgis, at the National Theatre in London's West End.
Things are looking up for Jackie. He’s out of jail and staying clean thanks to his sponsor. He might even have found a job. And of course there’s Veronica, who he’s loved since 8th grade. Nothing could come between them – except a hat.
"A TRIUMPH" Evening Standard ★★★★★
Caution: video contains swearing
The Signature 'Off-Broadway' Theatre in New York was the venue for another of Stephen Adly Guirgis' exceptional plays starring Ricardo.
Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train opened in 2017, with "Superb performances" Hollywood Reporter and "Critic’s Pick! Riveting, hilarious and heartbreaking -- great art, burrowing deeper the higher it flies." New York Times.
Angel Cruz is a 30-year-old bicycle messenger awaiting trial for the death of the leader of a religious cult. Inside Rikers Island, a terrified Angel is befriended by a charismatic serial killer named Lucius Jenkins. Lucius has found God and been born again, and now, Angel's life and the course of his trial will be changed forever.
In 2018 Richard starred in The Untranslatable Secrets of Nikki Corona at the Geffen Playhouse, Los Angeles.
How many of us have wished for one more chance to say the right thing? A Better Orpheus Inc. provides an alternative to regret—a service that allows the living to communicate with the dead. When Nikki Corona loses her twin sister, A Better Orpheus puts her in touch with Orlando, a man dying too young. The ensuing love story leads to a quest through a vivid, fantastical afterlife as Orlando learns whether Nikki’s message to her sister has the ability to transcend death.
Other theatre credits include An Enemy of the People and A Street Named Desire (both at Guthrie Theatre, Minneapolis), Living Out, Tracers, Three Sisters, Dogeaters, Bandido! and Macbeth.
Ricardo has enjoyed a successful film career spanning two decades with movies including Piranha 3D, The Alamo, Days of Wrath and Cosmic Radio.
In 2011 Ricardo featured in Chasing 3000, an American independent film chronicling the cross-country travel of two brothers to see the 3,000th base hit of Major League Baseball legend Roberto Clemente. It stars Trevor Morgan, Rory Culkin, Ray Liotta, and Lauren Holly.
Ricardo starred in Saving God (2008) alongside Ving Rhames.
Convicted felon Rev. Armstrong returns back to his neighborhood a changed man looking to take over his father's old church. The neighborhood is tough and full of drugs and gangs. Through Armstrong's tough demeanor and strong faith he tries to make a difference with Norris - a youth on the edge of falling into a lifetime of drugs and gangs. Also Armstrong must deal with his past history of violence and make sure he doesn't fall again.
The Alamo (2004) was based on the 1836 standoff between a group of Texan and Tejano men, led by Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie, and Mexican dictator Santa Anna's forces at the Alamo in San Antonio Texas. Directed by John Lee Hancock, Ricardo starred as Private Gregorio Esparza alongside Dennis Quaid and Billy Bob Thornton.
