David Villalpando

David Villalpando is a Mexican actor whose career spans over five decades, beginning when he was just fourteen years old in the avant‑garde theatre production El extraño jinete by Michelle de Ghelderode. Born on 2 January 1959 in Mexico City, he quickly immersed himself in the vibrant Mexican stage scene, later starring for more than three years and 1 700 performances in Felipe Santander’s marathon play El Extensionista, a milestone that launched a professional trajectory encompassing roughly thirty productions across classical drama, popular entertainment, and experimental works. His theatrical prowess earned him a special award from the Agrupación de Periodistas Teatrales in 1989, and he has represented Mexico at international festivals in Sitges, Spain (1980), New York (1982), Cádiz (1992) and the Expo Sevilla 92, highlighting his role as a cultural ambassador. Villalpando’s breakthrough on screen arrived with Gregory Nava’s critically acclaimed film El Norte (1983), where his portrayal of Enrique Xuncax garnered a Best Actor nomination from the Asociación de Cronistas de Espectáculos in New York and contributed to the film’s Cannes “Un Certain Regard” selection and Academy Award script nomination. Following this success, he secured supporting roles in a variety of U.S. productions such as The Arrival, The Mask of Zorro, Men with Guns (1997) and Perdita Durango, while maintaining a strong presence in Mexican cinema. Parallel to his film work, Villalpando built an extensive television résumé: he authored beloved series like Cero en Conducta and La Escuelita VIP, portrayed the memorable Professor Virolo, participated in the comedy show Se Vale (2007‑2012), co‑hosted Noches con Platanito for Estrella TV, and, as of 2023, serves as director of the popular sitcom Una familia de diez. His multifaceted contributions as actor, writer, director and TV personality solidify his status as an enduring figure in Latin American entertainment.