User:Denicho/Rafael Campos

Rafael Campos

Rafael Campos (May 13, 1936 – July 9, 1985) was a U.S. actor, writer, and director born in the Dominican Republic.

Life and Career
Campos was born in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic. He came to the United States with his family at the age of 14. After studying acting and then becoming involved for a few years in live Spanish-language theatrical productions in New York, he began his movie career when he was discovered by film-director Richard Brooks and cast as a troubled and rebellious Puerto Rican teenager in the movie Blackboard Jungle (1955), a film starring Glenn Ford that also included Sidney Poitier and Vic Morrow in early roles.

Later Campos gained fame through his portrayal of Hispanic youths in such films as Trial (1955), and Dino (1957). His gift for comedy was rarely exposed, a major exception being his role as a busboy in This Could Be the Night (1957). Campos's last film was Fever Pitch (1985), which was directed by his Blackboard Jungle mentor Richard Brooks.

In addition to his work in movies, Campos both acted and directed on the New York stage, making his Broadway debut in “Infidel Caesar”. He also had important roles in the TV series Rhoda (as Ramon Diaz Jr.) and Centennial (as Nacho). Alongside his acting-career, Campos was also a regular contributor to Manhattan-based Spanish-language publications, including especially the magazine Canales, which was published by his brother Fernando. In 1980, Campos won an Ace award from the New York Hispanic Press Association.

Personal Life
Campos was married twice, first to Sally Boyd, with whom he had two daughters, Mimi and Lisa. His second wife was the singer Dinah Washington.

Campos died at the age of 49 from complications due to stomach-cancer, in Woodland Hills, California, on July 9, 1985. In recognition of his numerous contributions to Latino culture, Campos was honored posthumously with an award from Nosotros, a New York-based organization that promotes Latino involvement in the theatrical arts.