Rafael Campos

Rafael Campos (May 13, 1936 – July 9, 1985) was a Dominican-American actor whose credits include Blackboard Jungle, Dino (1957), The Light in the Forest (1958), Slumber Party '57 (1976), The Astro-Zombies (1968), Centennial (1978) and V (1983). He was briefly married to blues singer and pianist Dinah Washington. Rafael acted in at least 2 episodes of “The Big Valley” in the 1960s. One episode is “Fall of a Hero.” Rafael played the character of Charley White Horse. Also, he played the character of Santiago in the episode “Four Days to Furnace Hill.”

Background Originally from the Dominican Republic, he moved to the United States in 1949. From 1961 to 1962, he was married to Dinah Washington, who was 12 years his senior. In 1961, Jet magazine published a photo with Washington embracing both Campos, reportedly her seventh husband, and her ex-husband Eddie Chamblee, reportedly her fifth husband. He then married the model Sally Boyd, with whom he had two daughters.

One of Campos's brothers is the cryptographer, artist, and poet Luis Campos; another brother, Fernando Campos, is the president of New York's Latin ACE awards.

Career Campos had a career that lasted 30 years. He was spotted by the director Richard Brooks during a theater production of Heavenly Express. Thanks to Brooks, In the 1955 film Trial, he reunited with Glenn Ford to play the part of a Chicano teenager wrongfully accused of murdering a white girl from a rich family at a beach party. Ford portrays a college law instructor who defends Campos' character. Other appearances include an episode of Have Gun – Will Travel, playing a teenager who stole a statue of St. Francis of Assisi and the episode "Pancho" in 1959. Also that year, he played the title character in "The Swift Cloud Story" (S2E27) on Wagon Train.

During the 1960s, he was in the Ted V. Mikels-directed film The Astro-Zombies, which starred John Carradine, Wendell Corey and Tura Satana. He played the part of Juan.

Among his TV credits is a 1962 appearance on Alfred Hitchcock Presents, titled "The Big Score". He played the lead as a teen gang member who kills and robs a man who turns out to be a mob boss. He also played a young Mexican boy, Juan De La O, who stole a horse in an episode of Laramie (season 3, episode 15), titled "The Barefoot Kid". Rafael played a young soldier on S12 E4 of Gunsmoke The Mission on October 8, 1966. Rafael had a memorable role in an episode of All In the Family where Archie is told to fire Little Immanuel, who was a member of his crew at work. From 1977 to 1978, the actor had a recurring role as Ramon Diaz Jr. in the series Rhoda.

Death Campos was diagnosed with stomach cancer and entered the Motion Picture and Television Hospital in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles in December 1984. He died at the hospital on July 9, 1985, aged 49. He was buried at Valley Oaks Memorial Park in Westlake Village.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes1955 Blackboard Jungle Pete V. Morales 1955 Trial Angel Chavez 1956 The Sharkfighters Carlos 1957 This Could Be the Night Hussein Mohammed 1957 Dino Boy #2 1958 The Light in the Forest Half Arrow 1958 Tonka Strong Bear 1959 Wanted Dead or Alive Pachito Season 2 Episode 11: "Desert Seed"1959 Wagon Train Swift Cloud Season 2 Episode 27: "The Swift Cloud Story"1959 The Restless Gun El Diablo Season 2 Episode 33: "Ride with the Devil"1959 Have Gun – Will Travel Pancho Season 3 Episode 6: "Pancho"1960 Wagon Train Dr. Swift Cloud Season 3 Episode 33: "Dr. Swift Cloud"1962 Have Gun – Will Travel Paco Season 6 Episode 10: "A Miracle for St. Francis"1962 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Gino Season 7 Episode 22: "The Big Score"1963 Savage Sam Young Warrior 1964 Lady in a Cage Essie 1966 Agent for H.A.R.M. Luis 1966 Mister Buddwing Dice Player #7 1966 The Appaloosa Paco 1968 Girl in Gold Boots Uncredited1968 The Astro-Zombies Juan 1971 Outlaw Riders Pedro 1973 Oklahoma Crude Jimmy 1973 The Doll Squad Rafael 1974 Hangup Longnose 1976 Slumber Party '57 Dope Fiend 1978 Centennial Nacho Gomez 1980 Where the Buffalo Roam Rojas 1983 Heartbreaker Alfonso 1984 V The Final Battle Sancho Gomez 1985 Fever Pitch Rafael 1986 The Return of Josey Wales Chato (final film role)