Valente Rodriguez

Valente Rodriguez (born February 14, 1964 ) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Ernie Cardenas on the sitcom George Lopez. He also starred as Cesar in the TV Land sitcom Happily Divorced, as well as guest starring on Yes, Dear, Mad About You, and ER, and had film roles as Chuey in Salsa, Frankie in 1993's Blood In Blood Out and as Marco in Suckers.

Life and career Rodriguez was born and raised in Hidalgo County, Texas, of Mexican descent. He attended the University of Texas-Pan American.

In 1988, Rodriguez moved to Los Angeles. He later landed his first leading role in the film Salsa. Other film credits include Impulse, Twenty Bucks, Ed, Volcano, Blood In Blood Out (Bound by Honor), Suckers, Erin Brockovich, Roosters, The Ugly Truth, The New Guy and the critically acclaimed Mi Familia or My Family.

He has also made television appearances as a regular on the Fox's comedy show Culture Clash, as well as Mad About You, The Golden Girls, Growing Pains, Falcon Crest, Beverly Hills, 90210, Dharma & Greg, Yes, Dear, Gotta Kick It Up!, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and he also makes quick appearances in the films The House Bunny and (500) Days of Summer.

Rodriguez is most known for his role as Ernesto "Ernie" Cardenas on George Lopez as George's best friend and his co-worker throughout the series for 6 years and appeared in 120 episodes The show aired from 2002 until 2007.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1988 Salsa Chuey 1990 Impulse Doorman 1993 Twenty Bucks Liquor Store Clerk Blood In Blood Out Frankie Roosters Adan Mr. Jones Orderly 1994 Huck and the King of Hearts Julio 1995 My Family Chucho's Friend 1996 Ed Jesus Rodriquez Guy Low Rider The Big Squeeze Father Arias The Rich Man's Wife Freeway Driver 1997 Volcano Train Driver 1998 No Salida Casper 1999 Suckers Marco Deep Blue Sea Helicopter Co-Pilot 2000 Erin Brockovich Donald Picking Up the Pieces Cuetero 2001 The Gristle Simone 2002 The New Guy Ramone Never Trust a Serial Killer Pinky Gotta Kick It Up! Mr. Reyna TV movie 2008 The House Bunny Valet 2009 (500) Days of Summer Employee #1 The Ugly Truth Javier It's Complicated Reynaldo The Red Queen Jose Salinas 2010 Lean Like a Cholo Junior Las Angeles Peter 2011 The Little Match Makers Roberto Gone Hollywood Louie 2015 McFarland, USA Principal Camillo Endgame Coach Stevens 2018 A Dog & Pony Show Tug Instant Family Judge Rivas 2019 Countdown Father David 2020 The Big Shot Roger Billings 2021 Welcome to Our World Swapmeet 2022 Father Stu Bill's Foreman A Latino Hollywood Nightmare - Short 2023 Proof Sheet Guillermo Benavides

Television Year Title Role Notes 1988 The Golden Girls Fred Episode: "Yokel Hero" Falcon Crest Raoul Episode: "Tuscany Venus" 1990 Max Monroe: Loose Cannon Mechanic Episode: "Freaks" Babes - Episode: "Temper, Temper" 1991 Ferris Bueller Raoul Episode: "A Night in the Life" 1993 Mad About You Harold the Orderly Episode: "Bedfellows" 1994 Beverly Hills, 90210 Mr. Pedroza Episode: "Injustice for All" 1997 ER Mr. Trajillo Episode: "Something New" Total Security Parking Valet Episode: "Dental Men Prefer Blondes" Dharma & Greg Roman Episode: "The Ex-Files" 1999 The X Files Walter Suarez Episode: "Agua Mala" 2001 Sabrina, the Teenage Witch Gustavo Episode: "Sabrina, the Activist" 2001–02 Yes, Dear Oscar Episode: "Guarding Greg" & "Walk Like a Man" 2002–07 George Lopez Ernesto "Ernie" Cardenas Main Cast 2006 Freddie Ernie Episode: "Freddie Gets Cross Over George" 2009 The Bill Engvall Show Jack Episode: "Trash Talk" 2010 Miami Medical Fortunato Episode: "What Lies Beneath" 2011 Shameless OSHA Officer Episode: "Daddyz Girl" Wizards of Waverly Place Muy Macho Episode: "Magic Unmasked" The Mentalist Frank Lopez Episode: "Bloodsport" & "Scarlet Ribbons" 2011–13 Happily Divorced Cesar Main Cast 2013 The House on South Bronson Valente Episode: "Lost Member" 2014 See Dad Run Bob Episode: "See Dad Lose the Forest for the Treehouse" Cristela Eddie Episode: "It's Not About the Tamales" 2018 Murphy Brown Carlos Gonzales Episode: "Thanksgiving and Taking" 2019 Adam Ruins Everything Tim Episode: "Adam Ruins Games" 2019–23 High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Principal Gutierrez Recurring Cast: Seasons 1 & 4 2021 Dad Stop Embarrassing Me! Manny Recurring Cast 2022 The Garcias Ghost of Hollywood's Past Episode: "Never A Dull Moment" Lopez vs. Lopez Val Episode: "Lopez vs. Christmas"