Rene Rivera

Rene Raymond Rivera. Born January 9th, in the middle of the third quarter of the 20th century, in San Antonio, Texas. U.S.A. The youngest of six children. Parents, Andres Aguilar Rivera, and Eva Perez Rivera, who early on in their marriage worked in the Texas fields, picking cotton, and fruits and vegetables. Rene is thankful and grateful to his parents for leading by example the importance of hard, honest work, and never giving up the loyalty to love and family, no matter how sacrificial. Rene also owes much of his purpose as an artist to his brothers and sisters, Ray Rivera, Janie Aguirre, Dora Morales, Joe Rivera, and Rose Chang, because their support, and guidance through out his childhood, taught him that love and friendship in family life is exactly the same in life's work and purpose outside of family. That we are true to ourselves and everyone we meet every day of our lives. Rene is also grateful to his years in school in San Antonio, at Stonewall elementary, he learned that friendship and respect are always coexisting, and loyalty equals an integrity of the soul that will last forever. At Southcross (Leal) middle school, he learned that respect for girls is a vital way of showing up in life with true gentility and stillness of the loving heart. At Harlandale High school he learned the core purpose of his soul, to be an actor, an artist that sees the beauty of art embracing life. He gives thanks to his teacher, Mark Blakeney, for seeing and recognizing his talent as an actor, and guiding him to pursue his theatrical studies at Incarnate Word College, (now University). At Incarnate Word College, Rene learned the most important lesson of his life's work- Love of self as an artist. No matter the theme, or plot of the story, the personality of the character's portrayed, or even the amount of work. The core was all love, all fearlessness, and pure excitement of the soul. For this all encompassing gift, Rene thanks the beautiful Ronald Ibbs, and Maureen Halligan, two of the greatest persons, actors, teachers and artists anyone will ever know. He also humbly bows to, and thanks with gratefulness Ronnie's, and Maureen's incredible supporting, creative team- George Burnett, Karen Jones, and Richard Jones. They walked with grace, and a theatrical power of love, and endless creative imagination, that was awe-inspiring, and inspirational. Bless you Incarnate Word. Rene eventually would audition for The Juilliard School in New York City, and on April 1, 1982 he received a letter of acceptance from Juilliard, where he would be accepted on a full scholarship. His journey through The Juilliard School's Drama department, and life in NYC, where he would grow into adulthood, was filled with all the beauty and raw life experiences, light and dark, that would help add to the sculpture of his life, and work. He deeply thanks Harold Stone, Michael Langham, Tim Monich, Marian Seldes, Moni Yakim, Robert Williams, Eve Shapiro, and Kevin Kline. The Juilliard School Drama Departments' Stalwarts. Their highest level of professionalism was never without child-like wonder, curious excitement, and loving support. Rene gives unbridled thanks to Joe Papp, founder of The Public Theater in New York City. To Rosemarie Tichler, and JoAnne Akalaitis, who cast him in prolific productions after graduating from The Juilliard School, Drama Group 15. Rosemarie Tichler, and JoAnne Akalaitis, two great heroines of theater, and life. Working in New York City theater, On Broadway, Off Broadway, and Off Off Broadway, and in Reogional Theater in the U.S., and Europe, Rene also was working in Film and Television, and all those productions allowed him to work at deeper, higher stakes levels, and he's grateful to all those he worked with in New York City. He will always know, and be thankful to NYC , as the birth place of his man-hood, and his maturity as a human being. Rene Rivera is a life time member of The Actors Studio in Los Angeles, and New York City. He is eternally grateful, and thankful to Jaime Sanchez, Al Pacino, Estelle Parsons, James Eric, Harry Cohn, Mark Rydell, Martin Landeau, Barbara Bain, Joanne Linville, Charlie Dierkop, Salome Jens, Allan Miller, and Helen Sanders...for their undeterred trailblazing visions, and leadership in artistic integrity, and soulful guidance. They are my stalwarts. The Actors Studio has been a life altering, powerful institution, brimming with beautiful, and wonderful artists. I embrace it in my heart forever. Rene lives in Los Angeles, CA. I am grateful for this incredibly beautiful, rare gift, we call life,...Vida....,and everyone, and everything in it. I look forward to...NOW... Gracias a Dios.