EKTOR RIVERA
Currently starring as “Sergio” in the Hallmark Original Series “Chicken Sisters” opposite Schuyler Fisk, Genevieve Angelson, Lea Thompson, and Wendie Malick. The series, based on the KJ Dell’Antonia novel of the same name, is currently in its second season.
On the big screen, Rivera recently starred as the legendary Latin singer Daniel Santos in the critically acclaimed feature film “La Ultima Gira” (The Last Tour), winner of Best International Feature at the 2021 New York Latino Film Festival and the Leo Award winner at the Davinci International Film Festival in Los Angeles. The film follows the retired singer as he undertakes one last tour of South America, where he was known as “El Jefe” and expects to be again applauded and acclaimed, only to find himself competing with a popular newcomer for the public’s adoration.
His Television credits include Fantasy Island, NCIS, NCIS: Origins, StarUp, Hallmark's Films “Groundswell” opposite Lacey Chabert and “Sugar Plum Twist“ opposite Jamie Gray Hyder.
On stage, Rivera played the title role of “Usnavi” in Lin Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award-winning musical “In The Heights,” directed by Marcos Santana, to sold-out audiences at the Coliseum of Puerto Rico and “Peron” in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s classic “Evita” at the Regent’s Park Theater in London, directed by Jamie Lloyd.
His Broadway debut was playing “Emilio Estefan” in “On Your Feet!” at the Marquis Theatre, Broadway. The cast was headed by Ana Villafañe, who played Grammy-winning Gloria Estefan, directed by Jerry Mitchell. Choreography by Tony nominee Sergio Trujillo. Book by Golden Globe and Oscar winner Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman).
Other leading roles in plays and musicals include Rent, Hairspray, Godspell, High School Musical, Piaf, The Outsiders, and The Mousetrap.
As a painter, Ektor holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts, with honors (Magna Cum Laude), in Imaging and Digital Design from the School of Plastic Arts of Puerto Rico. In 2023, actor and playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda, along with his father, Luis A. Miranda Jr., commissioned Ektor Rivera to create a portrait as part of a tribute to Rita Moreno. The artwork, measuring 8'x11' and produced in oil and acrylic on canvas, is now part of the permanent collection at the Luis A. Ferré Performing Arts Center in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Art Collectors, politicians, and artists such as Alejandro Fernández, Oliver Stone, and Benicio del Toro have acquired his paintings. He also maintains virtual galleries in the United States, Colombia, and Spain. To see more of Ektor Rivera’s art, access: www.EktorRiveraArt.com
