Valdés, Manuel Loco

(Manuel Gómez Valdés Castillo)

(1931 - )

   Manuel Valdés was born in Ciudad Juárez and followed his older brothers Germán and Ramón into show business. He started as a dancer in variety theatre at the age of 15, and made his film debut several years later, playing small roles in some Tin Tan films and as a "chorus boy" in other pictures. However, he achieved stardom in the 1950s on television where he earned the nickname of "Loco." Valdés starred in a number of films in the late '50s and into the '60s, but has been mostly successful on the home screen, having headlined numerous comedy programs. He continues to be active today. Valdés is the father of pop singer Cristian Castro, although the young man was raised by his mother (actress-singer Verónica Castro).