A young, handsome actor of Puerto Rican heritage, Cruz gained a devoted following in a regular TV role that was a landmark for an American primetime dramatic series. Playing the sensitive, sexually ambivalent high school student Rickie Vasquez in the critically acclaimed "My So-Called Life" (ABC, 1994-95), Cruz was frequently found in the girls' room hanging out and applying makeup with his pals. Rickie's painful "coming out" process was a major series subplot which culminated in the final episode. Creator and co-executive producer Winnie Holzman utilized incidents from the openly gay performer's life for teleplays.
A snazzy dancer with a beautiful singing voice, Cruz previously performed around the country with the Young Americans as well as in featured shows at Disney theme parks. He made his TV debut in a minor recurring role in the short-lived high school sitcom "Great Scott!" (Fox, 1992). During and after the run of "My So-Called Life", Cruz appeared on TV and radio shows and at public events as an advocate for gay teens. He made his feature debut with a small part in Oliver Stone's "Nixon" (1995) as Joaquin, an intimate of Bob Hoskins' J. Edgar Hoover.
Family
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Uncle: Luis Cruz. deceased; succumbed to AIDS complications; Cruz attributes his own survival to his uncle s guidance
Education
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California State University, San Bernardino, California
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Eisenhower High School, San Bernardino, California
Milestones
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1981 Began appearing in professional theater productions at age 7 (date approximate)
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1992 TV series debut, recurring role in Fox s Great Scott
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1993 Was thrown out of his home on Christmas Eve after revealing to his father that he was gay; subsequently lived in his car and at the homes of friends; Cruz eventually reconciled with his father
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1993 Hired as a regular on the TV series My So-Called Life
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1994 Appeared as a panelist on the talkshow Donahue to discuss the plight of gay teens
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1994 Portrayed gay teen Rickie Vasquez on the cultish and critically acclaimed My So-Called Life
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1995 Delivered a speech in advocacy of gay youth at the New York City Gay Pride Rally in Union Square Park
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1995 Feature acting debut, Oliver Stone s Nixon
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1997 Cast in L.A. production of the stage musical Rent as Angel, a drag queen; later made Broadway debut in the role
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1998 Portrayed Angel in the Broadway production of Rent
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2000 Co-starred in the sci-fi flick Supernova
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2000 Played Victor during the final season of Party of Five (Fox)
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2003 Co-starred in Party Monster, as drug dealer/Club Kid wannabe Angel Melendez
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2006 Cast in Coffee Date with Sally Kirkland and Jonathan Silverman