You’ve probably seen his face even if you don’t know the name immediately. Eric del Castillo is one of those actors who seems to have been in everything. Honestly, he basically has. With a career spanning over six decades and around 300 films, he’s a living bridge between the Golden Age of Mexican cinema and the high-octane world of modern telenovelas.
He didn't start out wanting to be a star. Not even close. Back in 1952, a rebellious young Eric joined a seminary to become a priest. Can you imagine? That lasted about a year. He realized pretty quickly that the clergy wasn't for him and, thanks to some encouragement from his mom, he pivoted to acting.
It was a good call.
The Breakthrough: From "Rostro Infernal" to "El Extra"
Early on, Eric del Castillo was everywhere in the 1960s. He wasn't just some guy in the background; he was holding his own against legends. In 1962, he landed a major role in Rostro Infernal, which really put him on the map. But if you're a fan of classic comedy, you might recognize him from El Extra (1962), where he shared the screen with the incomparable Mario "Cantinflas" Moreno.
Working with Cantinflas is like the ultimate "I've made it" moment in Mexican entertainment.
But Eric wasn't just a "hero" type. He had this grit. He could play the villain, the priest, the detective, or the hard-nosed revolutionary. His filmography in the 70s and 80s reads like a history of Mexican genre cinema. You've got La Generala (1970) with María Félix and the cult classic Santo en la venganza de la momia (1971). Yes, he even did a Santo movie. Everyone did.
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Notable Film Highlights
- Tiburoneros (1963): Often cited by critics as one of the best Mexican films of its era.
- Perro Callejero (1980): This one earned him a Silver Ariel nomination for Best Supporting Actor. It’s a raw, urban drama that showed he could handle the "New Mexican Cinema" transition.
- Las Grandes Aguas (1980): Another heavy hitter that got him an Ariel nomination for Best Actor.
Transitioning to the Telenovela Throne
While movies gave him prestige, the "Eric del Castillo movies and tv shows" search usually leads people straight to the small screen. Telenovelas are where he became a household name for younger generations. He’s done over 45 of them.
Think about that for a second. The sheer amount of dialogue he's memorized is staggering.
He has this specific "Patriarch" energy now. When Eric del Castillo walks onto a set in a suit or a rancher’s hat, you know he’s the one in charge. In Soy Tu Dueña (2010), he played Federico Montesinos, and honestly, he was the moral compass of that whole chaotic show.
The Roles You Definitely Remember
One of his most iconic recent-ish roles was Father Anselmo in Lo que la vida me robó (2013-2014). He played that role with such a gentle, weary wisdom that it was hard not to love the guy. Then there's Amigas y Rivales (2001), where he played Don Roberto de la O.
If you grew up in a Spanish-speaking household in the early 2000s, that show was basically mandatory viewing.
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He also starred in La Mentira (1998) and Abismo de Pasión (2012). It’s funny because even at 90+ years old, he’s still working. Most people are lucky to be upright at that age, but Eric is still filming. In 2024, he appeared in Vivir de Amor and Mi Amor Sin Tiempo. The man simply does not stop.
More Than Just an Actor
People sometimes forget that Eric del Castillo isn't just a face in front of the camera. He’s also a writer and a director. He wrote the screenplay for Víbora Caliente (1976) and both wrote and starred in El extraño hijo del sheriff (1982).
He even directed a film called Las Sobrinas del Diablo in 1982.
He’s a creator. He understands the mechanics of storytelling, which is probably why his performances feel so grounded. He knows where the "bones" of the story are.
The Kate del Castillo Connection
Of course, we can't talk about Eric without mentioning his daughter, Kate del Castillo. She’s a global superstar now (La Reina del Sur), but Eric has always been her biggest champion. There was that whole documentary The Day I Met El Chapo where Eric appeared as himself. It was a weird, tense time for their family, but it showed how tight-knit they are.
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Why He Matters in 2026
In an era where "celebrity" feels temporary and built on TikTok trends, Eric del Castillo represents the old guard. He’s about craft. He’s about showing up to work every day for 60 years.
He bridges the gap between the black-and-white films of the 50s and the streaming era of 2026.
If you want to understand Mexican pop culture, you have to watch his work. You don't need to watch all 300 movies—nobody has time for that—but watching Tiburoneros or his performance in Soy Tu Dueña gives you a masterclass in screen presence.
Next Steps for the Curious:
If you want to actually dive into his filmography, start with Tiburoneros for the "art" and Lo que la vida me robó for the "drama." Most of his modern telenovelas are streaming on platforms like Vix or Univision’s catch-up services. For the older films, you’ll often find them on specialized Latin American cinema channels or even YouTube’s classic movie archives. Look for the restored versions if you can; the cinematography in his 60s films is actually stunning when it isn't a grainy bootleg.