Raul Castillo has slowly built a name for himself in Hollywood. His love for the arts began in high school when he joined the drama club, a place that would become his safe-haven. By his senior year, he decided to enroll at Boston University to study independent theater studies with a focus on playwriting.
While at BU he produced a number of scripts about the immigration experience in the United States. One of his most notable scripts, Border Stories was inspired by his own personal experiences after having grown up in the border town of McAllen, Texas.
In 2007, he made his big screen debut in Matthew Bonifacio‘s Amexicano, film directed by Matthew Bonifacio that premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival to positive reviews. The film followed the story between an illegal immigrant and a blue-collar Italian-American from Queens. Since then, Bonifacio has appeared in small budget films, including Cold Weather, Don’t Let Me Drown, My Best Day, The Girl and Bless Me, Ultima.
He now co-stars in Looking, a groundbreaking HBO show that follows the lives of three gay friends trying to find love in San Francisco. Castillo has become a series regular as Richie, the love interest of Patrick, played by Jonathan Groff.
“Looking deals with sexuality and race in a very natural way,” said Castillo. “The story line is everything. I loved playing a Latino who has a clear understanding of who he is as a person and is able to stand up for himself. Latinos love to watch authentic characters with so much humanity. There just aren’t a lot of those in TV,” said Castillo. The show was cancelled after its second season, but will be returning with a special in 2016.
Castillo will appear next in Special Correspondents with America Ferrera. The film was written and directed by Ricky Gervais.
Variety Latino’s 10 Latinos to Watch, honors 10 actors for their contributions to film and television. The honorees: Diego Boneta, Karla Souza, Stephanie Sigman, Luis Gerardo Méndez, Diane Guerrero, Natalie Martinez, Raúl Castillo, Maite Perroni, Miguel Gómez and Lorenza Izzo.
Typo, you’ve given Castillo’s credits to Bonifacio: “Since then, Bonifacio has appeared in small budget films, including Cold Weather, Don’t Let Me Drown, My Best Day, The Girl and Bless Me, Ultima.”