Roaming Tigress

Debonair actor Ricardo Antonio Chavira had always managed to put his looks and talents to good use. From plays to film and television work, Chavira had a knack for keeping busy and switching things up. A native son of Texas, the actor weathered family tragedy at a young age, before focusing his future on life as a performer. After a steady stream of smaller parts on television, Chavira found the perfect combination of machismo and vulnerability to sink his teeth into as Carlos Solis, the wily husband of ABC’s nighttime soap phenomenon, “Desperate Housewives” (2004- ).

Chavira was born on Sept. 1, 1971 in Austin, TX, where his parents, Juan and Elizabeth – ex-Peace Corps members from Mexico – raised him until he reached the early grades, during which time the family headed for San Antonio. Chavira’s father, who later became a renowned judge in the courts system, was a legal prosecutor who often had his son along to watch him in courtroom action. In San Antonio, Chavira attended Robert E. Lee High School. At age 16, by then one of three siblings, he was forced to watch his mother pass away after coping with breast cancer for six years. It was an event that affected and shaped his life profoundly, and occasionally prompted frustrations that brought him to the other side of the law.

Upon his graduation, Chavira opted to get a bit of time outside of Texas at the University of Colorado. A year into his studies, his financial aid ran out, so the actor took this as a sign that he belonged back in San Antonio. He headed back to attend his original choice of colleges – the University of the Incarnate Word, plunging headlong into theater productions, including, among others, a well-received 1996 turn in “Macbeth” as King Macbeth of Scotland. After receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Theater that year, he decided to venture out once more, heading to San Diego, CA to obtain an M.F.A. at the University of California, San Diego.

Following his many years of education, Chavira graduated for good in 2000, ready to take his stage training into a career as professional actor. With the intention to make Los Angeles his base, he immediately began racking up onscreen credits, starting with the independent feature comedy “Barstow 2008” (2001). Chavira spent 2001 on a pair of Steven Bochco television dramas, first with an appearance on ABC’s hot cop series “NYPD Blue” (1993-2005), followed by a guest-starring role as A.D.A. Eddie Price on the legal drama “Philly” (2001-02). In 2002, Chavira snagged the series regular role of a high school sports coach in the Fox network’s “The Grubbs,” an adaptation of the British comedy series “The Grimleys.” Despite having eight filmed episodes in the can, none were aired.

Chavira was quickly becoming a dependable choice for onscreen charisma. His guest spots on primetime staples, such as “24” (2001- ) in 2002, gave way to a more favorable status as a recurring character for hire on different series. He appeared in one of two episodes of Lifetime’s legal drama, “The Division” (2001-04), then appeared as Ramon on four episodes of HBO’s prestige drama “Six Feet Under” (2001-05). Chavira returned to Austin in January of 2003, called to duty as Private Gregorio Esparza in Disney’s summer big budget retelling of the story of “The Alamo” (2004). For the hometown boy, it was a stellar way to kick off the year. Back in Los Angeles, Chavira dove right back into television, heading over to CBS to play a police sergeant in “Joan of Arcadia” (2003-05) and putting in an appearance on the military procedural “JAG” (1995-2005).

At the start of 2004, Chavira found himself once again cast as a series regular on a pilot. This time, though, the vibe seemed different. ABC was betting big on “Desperate Housewives,” a steamy nighttime soap with an overarching murder-mystery element tying it all together. The role of Carlos Solis allowed the actor to chew up the scenery as a rich businessman who tussles verbally and physically with a similar-minded wife, Gabrielle Solis, played with equal relish by bombshell actress, Eva Longoria. The pilot was shot during most of March 2004 and picked up to become a series in the fall. Its September debut immediately captivated audiences, providing a wealth of devious storylines for its talented ensemble cast.

Going into 2005 with “Desperate Housewives” on his resume, Chavira now had an instant cache in Hollywood. That May, ABC slid him into a guest role on its hit comedy “George Lopez” (2002- ). Mid-year, he reconnected with his experience with breast cancer, becoming a spokesperson and an honorary chairman that June for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation’s annual awareness summit in Washington D.C.

“Desperate Housewives” experienced a fast ride to the Emmy Awards, a popular choice with fans and critics. In its first three seasons on the air, the cast netted consecutive nominations for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, winning at both the 2005 and 2006 awards ceremonies. Time permitting, Chavira was still eager to work as much as possible, flying to New York City to shoot the independent drama “Rockaway” (2007), about soldiers returning home from Afghanistan. During the summer of 2006 and on a breather from Wisteria Lane, he was in Miami, FL, filming the Nicholas Pileggi-scripted “Kings of South Beach” telefilm for A&E, after which – and not missing a beat – back in California, he shot the independent drama “Cosmic Radio” (2007).

Despite the quick fame and success, Chavira kept a steady eye on his personal passions as well. Into 2007, another high-profile comedy, USA’s “Monk” (2002- ) presented yet another creative challenge, but Chavira continued to commit to his day job as Carlos, while waiting for the release of his various film projects.

Source

Ricardo was almost not given the role of Carlos Solis as it was originally believed that he was "too young" and "not suave enough" for the role!

A friend of Ricardo's also gave an audition for the role.

If he wasn't going to become an actor, he was going to be a priest -- that was, until he met the girls!

He has had a crush on Marcia Cross since he was 21, when he discovered her on Melrose Place.

Ricardo is of German, Irish and Mexican descent.



All thanks to the creative writing staff and perfect portrayal by Ricardo Antonio Chavira, Carlos has become one of -- if not the -- most layered of the men on Desperate Housewives. Humour and heart and love are all perfectly woven into Carlos Solis.

Carlos has done wrong things, nobody has accused him as being perfect, but c'mon, this is Desperate Housewives. Gabrielle and Edie alike (often mistaken as being his "victims") have all done bad things. Cheating? Check. Burning down houses? Check. Even the "perfect" Mike Delfino has done time in jail.

His looks certainly do not hurt (yes, shallow).

Nobody, not even the "perfect" John has made Gabrielle happy like Carlos.

No man on the show is as forgiving as Carlos. Even after cheating on him, throwing him out the window, bringing up sleeping with John again, even after bringing another man into bed and deliberately hurting him by it, he has never stopped loving Gabrielle.

He knows the right flowers to bring to a woman.

He is protective. I'd pity the fool who tests this theory!

He is sensitive. Just the thought of Gabrielle cheating on him brought him to tears.

-Katie-

Love the new thread! Thanks for starting it hun!

Roaming Tigress

Thank you -- and you're very welcome

Giana

Aw, yay!

I saw over on YouTube, some chicks were bashing Carlos for making Edie kill herself, and saying "he only sees gabi and edie as uterus in high heels he doesn't love them". That is so totally wrong- he is obviously madly in love with Gabby, and the only reason he saw Edie as a "uterus in high heels" is cuz it WAS HER IDEA to have a baby together, otherwise he wouldn't be with her at all. She brought the break up on herself, so I don't see why fans have to blame him for her "attempt".

Roaming Tigress

Ugh, that is so lame!

That does make me wanna create another little section for the opening post, though

smoothaise

I don't read the YT comments as it tends to insult my intelligence.

Love the new thread! Especially the banner that simply says "Her Soulmate" -

Ahem, and can I be added to the list. I'm officially a Carlos fan.

Roaming Tigress

I hear you Some of the people on there are so stupid . . . They obviously haven't been watching the show

Thank you At first I wasn't sure of but then I really liked it when it was all done.

Added

Giana

Yea, I try to ignore them too, but it just bothered me.

Roaming Tigress

I hear you

Giana

So, anyone want to see a Carlos/Victor scene? I think we're totally due for one. I would love to see protective!Carlos threatening villain!Victor.

Roaming Tigress

I would totally love to see a Victor/Carlos scene Protective!Carlos is so hot . . .

I added a new little thing to the beginning post. I'm not biased

Giana

Hehe I love the facts about Carlos bit! Especially the "I pity whoever tests this theory" and the first one about how "horrible" he is.

And I, too, want a Victor/Carlos confrontation. Much more watchable than John/Carlos.

Roaming Tigress

Haha, thanks I got a ittle snarky there, but it was so deserved. I'm sooo tired of people bringing up that S1 stuff. Gabrielle got over that stuff better than some "fans" did
For sure!

Eight days to new Carlosness

smoothaise

I like the little section you added.

Roaming Tigress

Thanks