Rain Valdez
Rain Valdez (born 1981) is an American actress, writer, and producer who rose to prominence with her award-winning short film, "Ryans". She stars in the web series "Razor Tongue", which she created and which has earned her a Primetime Emmy nomination in Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series. Valdez got her start playing Coco in season 2 of TV Land's "Lopez". She consulted on "Transparent" and starred in the show's fourth season. She has written for "Vice" and "Popsugar". Early life. Valdez was born in Manila, Philippines and was raised by  her mother and stepfather in Dededo, Guam. She began writing poems and short stories as a junior high school student. She attended Simon Sanchez High School in Yigo before moving to Los Angeles in 2000, waiting tables and modeling to support herself while studying acting. Career. Valdez began her career as a producer's assistant in 2006. In 2010, she wrote and starred in her first short, "Silly Games". In 2017, she wrote and starred in her breakthrough short film, "Ryans", which premiered at Outfest and was given the Jury Award for Best North American Short. The same year, she  was cast in TV Land's "Lopez", with a recurring role. Also in 2017, Valdez was cast for Amazon's "Transparent". In 2019, Valdez created "Razor Tongue", an indie episodic romantic comedy, and co-starring such actors as Alexandra Grey, Sterling Jones, Sarah Parlow, Carmen Scott, and Shaan Dasani. In 2020, Valdez appeared as a commentator in the Netflix documentary "Disclosure" alongside actors Laverne Cox, Jen Richards, Zeke Smith, Leo Sheng, Alexandra Billings, and others. In July 2020, she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series for her work  on "Razor Tongue". In October 2020, she co-starred in the short film "The Great Artist", which qualified for the Best Live Action Short Film shortlist for the 93rd Academy Awards. Activism. Valdez has been a featured speaker at conferences such as The New School's The Festival of the New, and WrapWomen's BE Conference. Personal life. Valdez is a trans woman. She initially began her career closeted, eventually deciding to live as an openly trans individual, with her stint on "Transparent" as her first role as an openly trans woman.