George Alvarez

Cuban-American actor
George Alvarez
Born
Cuba
OccupationActor
Years active1991-present
SpouseLiesa Alvarez (m. 2003)
Children5

George Enrique Alvarez (born January 25)[1] is a Cuban-American actor. He is best known for playing the roles of Det. Alex Garcia on General Hospital (1992 to 1994, 1995 to 1999) and Port Charles (1997 to 1999), Enrique Alvarez on The Bold and the Beautiful (1996 to 1997), and Father Ray Santos on Guiding Light (1999 to 2009).

Early life

Alvarez was born in Cuba. His family emigrated to the United States in the late 1950s and he was raised in West New York, New Jersey. He graduated from Memorial High School. After high school, Alvarez enrolled at Parsons School of Design in Manhattan. He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, but he decided that he would rather pursue an artistic career than work at an advertising agency to make money.[1][2]

Career

After graduating from Parsons, Alvarez worked at Studio 54 in its original heyday. Through the connections he made there, he responded to a casting call for a film. He got the part, but the project, an early attempt to adapt the Anne Rice novel Interview with the Vampire, wasn't produced. Nonetheless, Alvarez realized that acting was what he wished to do, saying, "You get to pretend, get to be a kid again, and get paid well to do it."[2]

After doing some theater work in New York, Alvarez moved to Los Angeles to audition for film and television roles. He also began to develop a passion for writing screenplays.[2] In 1991, he made his television debut with a guest starring role on Beverly Hills, 90210. He then played Juan Campos in the NBC mini-series Drug Wars: The Cocaine Cartel.[3] Alvarez was cast as Tommy in the 1992 film Class Act.[4]

In 1992, Alvarez landed a two-day part on the ABC soap opera General Hospital, which led to a long term recurring role as Detective Alex Garcia.[2][1] He guest starred on NYPD Blue in 1994 and appeared in the 1995 film Heavy.[5][6] Alvarez had a role in the miniseries Tom Clancy's Op Center.[7] He played Miguel in Cagney & Lacey: Together Again.[8] He also appeared in The West Side Waltz.[9]

Alvarez was cast on the CBS soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful, playing the role of Enrique Alvarez from 1996 to 1997. He appeared in the TV movie Innocent Victims and guest starred on Pacific Blue.[3][5] In 1997, he began playing his General Hospital character, Alex Garcia, on the show's spin off, Port Charles.[1] In 1998, he was cast as Sly in the film Interlocked: Thrilled to Death (also titled A Bold Affair), co-starring with his The Bold and the Beautiful castmates Jeff Trachta and Schae Harrison.[10]

In 1999, Alvarez began playing the recurring role of Father Ray Santos on the CBS soap opera Guiding Light.[2] He replaced Jaime Passer in the role. Alvarez stayed on the show until the final episodes aired in September 2009.[11]

Alvarez played Discipio in the 2005 miniseries Miracle's Boys.[12]

Personal life

Alvarez married his wife, Liesa, on August 2, 2003.[3] They have five children.[12]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role
1992 Class Act Tommy
1995 Heavy Orderly
1998 Interlocked: Thrilled to Death Sly

Also titled A Bold Affair

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1991 Beverly Hills, 90210 Ramon Episode: "Ashes to Ashes"
1992-1994; 1995-1999 General Hospital Det. Alex Garcia Recurring role
1992 Drug Wars: The Cocaine Cartel Juan Campos Television mini-series
Santa Barbara Jaime Episode: "Episode #1.2012"
1994 NYPD Blue Nando Cepeda Episode: "Zeppo Marks Brothers"
1995 Tom Clancy's Op Center Capt. Rodriguez Television mini-series
Cagney & Lacey: Together Again Miguel Television film
The West Side Waltz Construction Worker Television film
1996 Innocent Victims Deputy Archer Television film
1996–1997 The Bold and the Beautiful Enrique Alvarez Recurring role
1997 Pacific Blue Alejandro Cruz Episode: "Rumplestiltskin"
1997–1999 Port Charles Det. Alex Garcia Recurring role
1999–2009 Guiding Light Father Ray Santos Recurring role
2005 Miracle's Boys Discipio Television mini-series

6 episodes

References

  1. ^ a b c d "About the Actors: George Alvarez". Soap Central. Archived from the original on June 18, 2024. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Man of the cloth: West New Yorker digs into role on daytime drama - Hudson Reporter Archive". Hudson Reporter. 2000-05-07. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
  3. ^ a b c "Alvarez, George". encyclopedia.com. Archived from the original on December 31, 2023. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  4. ^ "Class Act - Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Archived from the original on June 18, 2024. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Credits: George Alvarez". TV Guide. Archived from the original on June 18, 2024. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  6. ^ "Heavy - Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Archived from the original on June 18, 2024. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  7. ^ McCarthy, John P. (February 23, 1995). "Tom Clancy's Op Center". Variety. Archived from the original on June 18, 2024. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  8. ^ Sandler, Adam (May 2, 1995). "Cbs Tuesday Mystery Movie Cagney & Lacey: Together Again". Variety. Archived from the original on June 18, 2024. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  9. ^ Sandler, Adam (November 26, 1995). "The West Side Waltz". Variety. Archived from the original on June 18, 2024. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  10. ^ "Interlocked: Thrilled to Death - 1998". AV Club. Archived from the original on June 18, 2024. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  11. ^ "Who's Who in Springfield: Father Raymondo "Ray" Santos". Soap Central. Archived from the original on June 11, 2024. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Actor Profile: George Alvarez". Soaps. Archived from the original on June 18, 2024. Retrieved June 18, 2024.

External links

  • George Alvarez at IMDb
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