Wilson Cruz (born December 27, 1973 in Brooklyn, New York) is an openly gay American actor. Cruz has in both his acting roles and community work served as a model and mentor to gay youth, especially gay youth of color.
Biography
Best known for his role as Enrique "Rickie" Vasquez, the troubled gay teen on the short-lived but popular television series
My So-Called Life, Wilson knows first-hand the many struggles and hardships that face young gay, lesbian, and bisexual, (GLBT) people as they struggle to come to terms with their sexuality and the reactions of their families, friends, and society at large.
At 19, Cruz came out to his parents, first to his mother and then his father. While his mother was initially hurt and shocked, she eventually accepted the news. His father, however, threw him out of the house, and he spent the next few months living in his car and at the homes of friends. Cruz eventually reconciled with his father.
After coming out to his parents, Cruz went to Hollywood to seek work as an openly gay young actor. While many gay and lesbian performers had come out later in their careers, he wanted to see if he could be out from the beginning and still make it as an actor. His strategy paid off in 1994, when he was cast in
My So-Called Life. In one episode drawn from his own life, "Rickie" came out to his parents and was violently thrown out of the house.
Following
My So-Called Life's cancellation, Cruz went on to play J. Edgar Hoover's servant Joaquin in Oliver Stone's film
Nixon and had a small role in the television movie
On Seventh Avenue. In 1996, he appeared with David Arquette as Mikey in
johns, about the daily (or nightly) struggles of male prostitutes. In 1998, he portrayed Angel in the Broadway production of
RENT, and in 2000 played Victor during the final season of
Party of Five.
Cruz's other acting credits include the films
Joyride (1996),
All Over Me (1997),
Supernova (2000), and
Party Monster (2003); the television film
The Perfect Pitch (2002); and guest appearances on the series
Great Scott!,
Sister, Sister,
ER,
Ally McBeal,
West Wing and
Noah's Arc. Most recently, Cruz starred as Adrian in the film
Ode (2007) based on the novel "Ode to Lata" by Ghalib Shiraz Dhalla.
Involvement in GLBT community
While playing numerous roles on television, film, and the stage, Cruz devotes more and more of his time to GLBT youth. He is especially concerned with GLBT youth of color. Most recently he has volunteered his time as host for the Youth Zone, an online community at Gay.com for GLBT youth.
Cruz was the 2005 Grand Marshall of the Chicago Pride Parade and the 1998 West Hollywood Gay Pride parade..
Filmography and stage
Television
- My So-Called Life (1994-1995), Enrique 'Rickie' Vasquez - 19 episodes
- On Seventh Avenue (1996), Reuben Diaz
- Sister, Sister (1996), Bobby - 1 episode
- Ally McBeal (1997), Steven/Stephanie - 1 episode
- Party of Five (1999-2000), Victor - 11 episodes
- ER (2002), Jeffrey Cruz - 1 episode
- The West Wing (2004), as Jack Sosa - 2 episodes
- The Closer (2005), Man in Bar - 1 episode
- Noah's Arc (2005-2006), Junito - 7 episodes
- Monk (2006), Smoking Technician - 1 episode
- Naval Criminal Investigative Service (2007), Todd Ryder - 1 episode
- The Happiest Gay Couple in All the World (2007 - ), Evan - 3 episodes
Film
- Nixon (1995), Joaquin (Hoover's servant)
- Beat the Bash (1996), Kevin
- johns (1996), Mikey
- Joyride (1996), James
- All Over Me (1997), Jesse
- Supernova (2000), Benj Sotomejor
- Party Monster (2003), Angel
- Bam Bam and Celeste (2005), Tony
- Coffee Date (2006), Kelly
- Ode (2007), Adrian
Stage
- RENT (1998), Angel
- Tick, Tick... BOOM! (2005), Michael
External links
1973 birthsAmerican film actorsAmerican television actorsPeople from BrooklynGay actors from the United StatesLGBT Hispanic AmericansLGBT rights activists from the United StatesLiving peopleNew York actorsAmerican actors
Wilson CruzWilson Cruz
