Erik Valdez (born Russell Erik Valdez) is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Trey Mitchell in the soap opera television series General Hospital (2012–2013), Carlito Solano Jr. in the drama television series Graceland (2014–2015) and Kyle Cushing in the superhero television series Superman & Lois (2021–2024).
Early life His father is of Mexican and Native American descent, while his mother is of English and Irish descent. His parents were second-generation cotton farmers and he grew up in a close-knit family.
Career After completing theater throughout the years since high school, Valdez pursued an acting career in film and television and he moved to Los Angeles in 2004. The same year, he made his acting debut as Chad in three episodes of Gilmore Girls. He has made guest appearances television shows, including CSI: Miami, 90210, Numbers and Mistresses. In 2012, Valdez played the recurring role of Trey Mitchell in the ABC soap opera television series General Hospital, until 2013 for 99 episodes, which earned Valdez a nomination for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series. From 2014 to 2015, Valdez played the role of crime boss Carlito Solano Jr. in the drama television series Graceland for 11 episodes. In 2016, he played the role of Lopez in the direct-to-video film Jarhead 3: The Siege. The same year, he played an uncredited role of Officer Valducci in the drama film Paint It Black. In 2021, he portrayed the character Kyle Cushing in the superhero drama television series Superman & Lois, which premiered on The CW, featuring Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch.
Personal life In 2015, Valdez proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Candice Lopez, a hostess for Radio Disney, and they married in 2016. Together, they have a son: Enzo Ray Valdez (b. 2018).
Filmography Film YearTitleRoleNotes 2010 Zombrex: Dead Rising Sun Dan (voice) 2016 Jarhead 3: The Siege Lopez Direct-to-video Paint It Black Officer Valducci Uncredited 2023 Confidential Informant Carlos
Television YearTitleRoleNotes 2004 Gilmore Girls Chad 3 episodes 2005 The O.C. Jock UncreditedEpisode: "The Chrismukkah Bar Mitz-vahkkah" 2007 CSI: Miami Frat Boy #2 Episode: "Sunblock" 2008 Numbers FBI Agent UncreditedEpisode: "Checkmate" 2011–2012 New Girl D. Bag / Douchebag #2 Episode: "Bad in Bed" and "The Story of the 50" 2012 90210 Eric Episode: "A Tale of Two Parties" 2012–2013 General Hospital Trey Mitchell 99 episodes 2012 Breaking In Hector Episode: "The Hungover" 2014–2015 Graceland Carlito Solano Jr. 11 episodes 2016 Mistresses Les Cheron Episode; "Fight or Flight" 2021–2024 Superman & Lois Kyle Cushing Main cast
Video games YearTitleRoleNotes 2012 Syndicate Subverter (voice) 2021 Far Cry 6 General José Castillo (voice)
References
External links