Luis Valdez was born in Delano, California on June 26, 1940. His parents were both migrant workers, and he and his brother, Daniel, grew up in Southern California. Valdez grew up with aspirations of a mathematician or scientist, but eventually found that English and theater were his true loves. After college at San Jose State College, he founded El Teatro Campesino. El Teatro Campesino was based on the history of migrant workers, true to Valdez's heritage. Valdez joined Cesar Chavez's movement in 1965, and Chavez himself later supported El Teatro Campesino. Because of that support, Valdez was able to work on more plays and productions, including his famed play Zoot Suit which premiered in the 1970s. Zoot Suit was to be the first and only Chicano play ever to open on Broadway on March 25, 1979. The huge success of Zoot Suit ultimately led to the pinnacle of his career, writing and directing the popular movie La Bamba and the play Corridos. Valdez has won several awards including the Governor's Award in 1990 and the Aguila Azteca Award in 1994.
Sources: The Harry Walker Agency. "Luis Valdez." HarryWalker.com. Web. 2 December 2012.
Hispanic Heritage Society. "Luis Valdez." HispanicHeritage.org. Web. 2 December 2012.
Valdez, Luis. Zoot Suit and Other Plays. Houston: Arte Publico, 1992. Print.
Hispanic Heritage Society. "Luis Valdez." HispanicHeritage.org. Web. 2 December 2012.
Valdez, Luis. Zoot Suit and Other Plays. Houston: Arte Publico, 1992. Print.