# 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 (2001).

## 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 and 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.

## Filmography
### Film

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

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1988 | The Golden Girls | Fred | Episode: "Yokel Hero" |
| 1988 | Falcon Crest | Raoul | Episode: "Tuscany Venus" |
| 1990 | Max Monroe: Loose Cannon | Mechanic | Episode: "Freaks" |
| 1990 | 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" |
| 1997 | Total Security | Parking Valet | Episode: "Dental Men Prefer Blondes" |
| 1997 | 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" |
| 2011 | Wizards of Waverly Place | Muy Macho | Episode: "Magic Unmasked" |
| 2011 | 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" |
| 2014 | 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" |
| 2022 | Lopez vs. Lopez | Val | Episode: "Lopez vs. Christmas" |