Debonair actor Ricardo Antonio Chavira had always managed to put his looks and talents to good use. From plays to film and television work, Chavira had a knack for keeping busy and switching things up. A native son of Texas, the actor weathered family tragedy at a young age, before focusing his future on life as a performer. After a steady stream of smaller parts on television, Chavira found the perfect combination of machismo and vulnerability to sink his teeth into as Carlos Solis, the wily husband of ABC’s nighttime soap phenomenon, “Desperate Housewives” (2004- ). Chavira was born on Sept. 1, 1971 in Austin, TX, where his parents, Juan and Elizabeth – ex-Peace Corps members from Mexico – raised him until he reached the early grades, during which time the family headed for San Antonio. Chavira’s father, who later became a renowned judge in the courts system, was a legal prosecutor who often had his son along to watch him in courtroom action. In San Antonio, Chavira attended Robert E. Lee High School. At age 16, by then one of three siblings, he was forced to watch his mother pass away after coping with breast cancer for six years. It was an event that affected and shaped his life profoundly, and occasionally prompted frustrations that brought him to the other side of the law. Upon his graduation, Chavira opted to get a bit of time outside of Texas at the University of Colorado. A year into his studies, his financial aid ran out, so the actor took this as a sign that he belonged back in San Antonio. He headed back to attend his original choice of colleges – the University of the Incarnate Word, plunging headlong into theater productions, including, among others, a well-received 1996 turn in “Macbeth” as King Macbeth of Scotland. After receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Theater that year, he decided to venture out once more, heading to San Diego, CA to obtain an M.F.A. at the University of California, San Diego. Following his many years of education, Chavira graduated for good in 2000, ready to take his stage training into a career as professional actor. With the intention to make Los Angeles his base, he immediately began racking up onscreen credits, starting with the independent feature comedy “Barstow 2008” (2001). Chavira spent 2001 on a pair of Steven Bochco television dramas, first with an appearance on ABC’s hot cop series “NYPD Blue” (1993-2005), followed by a guest-starring role as A.D.A. Eddie Price on the legal drama “Philly” (2001-02). In 2002, Chavira snagged the series regular role of a high school sports coach in the Fox network’s “The Grubbs,” an adaptation of the British comedy series “The Grimleys.” Despite having eight filmed episodes in the can, none were aired. Chavira was quickly becoming a dependable choice for onscreen charisma. His guest spots on primetime staples, such as “24” (2001- ) in 2002, gave way to a more favorable status as a recurring character for hire on different series. He appeared in one of two episodes of Lifetime’s legal drama, “The Division” (2001-04), then appeared as Ramon on four episodes of HBO’s prestige drama “Six Feet Under” (2001-05). Chavira returned to Austin in January of 2003, called to duty as Private Gregorio Esparza in Disney’s summer big budget retelling of the story of “The Alamo” (2004). For the hometown boy, it was a stellar way to kick off the year. Back in Los Angeles, Chavira dove right back into television, heading over to CBS to play a police sergeant in “Joan of Arcadia” (2003-05) and putting in an appearance on the military procedural “JAG” (1995-2005). At the start of 2004, Chavira found himself once again cast as a series regular on a pilot. This time, though, the vibe seemed different. ABC was betting big on “Desperate Housewives,” a steamy nighttime soap with an overarching murder-mystery element tying it all together. The role of Carlos Solis allowed the actor to chew up the scenery as a rich businessman who tussles verbally and physically with a similar-minded wife, Gabrielle Solis, played with equal relish by bombshell actress, Eva Longoria. The pilot was shot during most of March 2004 and picked up to become a series in the fall. Its September debut immediately captivated audiences, providing a wealth of devious storylines for its talented ensemble cast. Going into 2005 with “Desperate Housewives” on his resume, Chavira now had an instant cache in Hollywood. That May, ABC slid him into a guest role on its hit comedy “George Lopez” (2002- ). Mid-year, he reconnected with his experience with breast cancer, becoming a spokesperson and an honorary chairman that June for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation’s annual awareness summit in Washington D.C. “Desperate Housewives” experienced a fast ride to the Emmy Awards, a popular choice with fans and critics. In its first three seasons on the air, the cast netted consecutive nominations for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, winning at both the 2005 and 2006 awards ceremonies. Time permitting, Chavira was still eager to work as much as possible, flying to New York City to shoot the independent drama “Rockaway” (2007), about soldiers returning home from Afghanistan. During the summer of 2006 and on a breather from Wisteria Lane, he was in Miami, FL, filming the Nicholas Pileggi-scripted “Kings of South Beach” telefilm for A&E, after which – and not missing a beat – back in California, he shot the independent drama “Cosmic Radio” (2007). Despite the quick fame and success, Chavira kept a steady eye on his personal passions as well. Into 2007, another high-profile comedy, USA’s “Monk” (2002- ) presented yet another creative challenge, but Chavira continued to commit to his day job as Carlos, while waiting for the release of his various film projects. YahooMovie