| Erik Valdez | |
| Birth Name: | Russell Erik Valdez |
| Birth Date: | 26 August 1979 |
| Birth Place: | Lubbock, Texas, U.S. |
| Occupation: | Actor |
| Years Active: | 2004–present |
| Spouse: | Candice Lopez (m. 2016) |
| Children: | 1 |
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 (2021–2023).[1]
Valdez 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]
After 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 , 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 a 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 . 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]
In 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]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Zombrex: Dead Rising Sun | Dan (voice) | ||
| 2016 | Lopez | Direct-to-video | ||
| Paint It Black | Officer Valducci | Uncredited | ||
| 2023 | Confidential Informant | Carlos |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Gilmore Girls | Chad | 3 episodes |
| 2005 | The O.C. | Jock | Uncredited Episode: "The Chrismukkah Bar Mitz-vahkkah" |
| 2007 | 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" |
| 2021–2023 | Superman & Lois | Kyle Cushing | Main cast[7] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Syndicate | Subverter (voice) | |
| 2021 | Far Cry 6 | General José Castillo (voice) | |