Biography
Rafael Campos moved from the Dominican Republic to New York City at the age of fourteen. After appearing in a handful of Spanish-language plays, Campos rose to fame portraying troubled Hispanic youths in such films as The Blackboard Jungle (1955),
Trial (1955) and
Dino (1957). His gift for comedy was seldom touched upon, save for his role as a college-bound busboy in 1957's
This Could Be the Night. Campos both acted and directed on the New York stage, making his Broadway debut in Infidel Caesar. He also essayed important roles in the TV series
Rhoda (as Ramon Diaz Jr.) and
Centennial (as Nacho) and wrote articles for Manhattan-based Spanish publications. Rafael Campo's last film was 1985's
Fever Pitch, directed by his
Blackboard Jungle mentor Richard Brooks. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide