Actor Valente Rodriguez is an Elsa-born Texan â who went to Pan American University, now the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.makes his first appearance in the cult classic that’s celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
Among them was one of my favorites, Enrique Castillo, who played the philosophical, doomed prison gang leader, as well as Billy Bob Thornton, Danny Trejo, Jenny Gago, Delroy Lindo and Ving Rhames.Rodriguez was the funny one. Rodriguez, 59, may be best known for playing Ernie Cardenas, best friend to the title character in “George Lopez,” the landmark comedy series that ran from 2002 to 2007.On television, he has appeared in a long line of dramas and comedies, including “Shameless,” “The Wizards of Waverly Place,” “Cristela” and “The Mentalist.”
Rodriguez was about 25, and “American Me,” another Chicano gang-to-prison movie, was being filmed at about the same time.MORE 'NOSOTROS': Listen as Elaine Ayala’s conversation with Henry Cisneros