Early this year, Fox announced that it would air a spinoff of its hit series 9-1-1. Furthermore, Fox introduced a new cast that would play the roles of first responders in the spinoff. Since airing it, the show has been well-received by many fans. Most viewers expressed their joy and even went on to comment that they loved the story lines behind the actors and actresses, such as the gay characters played by Rafael Silva and Ronen Rubinstein. These two characters, who have resonated with many fans, are introduced in the first episode, where the show focuses on their romantic relationship. Rafael plays the character of Carlos Reyes, a police officer with the Austin Police Department, while Ronen plays the character of T.K. Strand, a firefighter, and a former drug addict. Carlos is attracted to T.K. Strand almost immediately when they meet at a party. As the series develops, Carlos’ relationship to T.K. goes through various turbulence. Carlos hates that T.K. fears commitments, while Carlos, on the other hand, is only looking for fun.
Besides playing the part of Carlos on 9-1-1 Lone Star, here are ten things you probably didn’t know about Rafael Silva.
1. Brazilian by Birth
In an interview with Assignment X, Rafael Silva talked about his life while growing up in Brazil. He was born and raised there, and lived there until he was twelve. Growing up, Rafael Silva wasn’t particularly interested in acting, but he began performing in high school plays after moving to America at the age of thirteen.
2. Rafael Used to Fear Speaking in Public
As a junior in high school, Rafael developed a fear of speaking in public. This fear was so great that it began to have an effect on his relationships with his peers. To overcome this fear, he decided to enroll in a drama club at school and started to act in high school plays. Through performing in several plays, he discovered his passion for acting and pursued his dream of becoming a professional actor.
3. His Education
According to Pace University’s website, Rafael Silva attended this university and enrolled in the University’s BFA programs, completing courses in acting, commercials, and voiceovers. Upon completion of his studies, Rafael was selected to play the role of Carlos in 9-1-1. He is also featured among other renowned actors and actresses who graduated from Pace University, such as Bradley Cooper, Vincent Pastore and Michelle Borth.
4. Trains with A Police Officer for His Role
For his role in 9-1-1, Rafael Silva trains with a real police officer. Fox executives chose a police officer to teach Rafael the proper way to conduct himself as a law enforcement officer. He also regularly goes to the gym and puts in great effort to maintain his impressive physical condition. Additionally, he read through the entire Austin manual handbook for police officers. Although the manual was very long, with over a thousand pages, Rafael said he had to read it in order to gain insight into the role of a police officer he portrays.
5. Loves Mixed Martial Arts
If you take a peek at Rafael’s Instagram page, you will see several photos of him training in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) with Royce Gracie, a renowned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist who became a champion in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Besides training, Rafael owns a blue belt in BJJ which he acquired from the famed Gracie Jiu-Jitsu gym. Even though his role as a police officer doesn’t require BJJ skills, Rafael says his passion for MMA is what drove him to learn BJJ. He still trains in BJJ at Gracie’s gym and is planning to become a black belt owner in the future.
6. He has Acted in Other Films
Rafael states that his role in 9-1-1 was his breakthrough in the film industry. Apart from 9-1-1, he has had other acting credits, including a guest appearance on the CBS hit drama Madam Secretary. He also starred in Fluidity, a movie about the sexual interactions of millennials, which was released in 2019.
7. Speaks Multiple Languages
Rafael is proficient in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. He is fluent in all three of these languages.
8. Loves Dancing
Apart from acting, Rafael enjoys dancing in his spare time. During the filming of 9-1-1, he appreciated the producers’ suggestion of having the cast members dance together as a way of getting to know each other. He is particularly fond of line dancing.
9. He Loved Dogs
Rafael is an avid dog person. He has several photos of his canine companion on his Instagram page, and though he rarely talks about it, he loves spending time with his pup. He hates being away from his dog for long hours when he is filming for his role. In one of his dog photos, Rafael commented that he was with the love of his life. He took this photo on Valentine’s Day, and even though it was meant as a joke, it is clear that Rafael is deeply devoted to his four-legged friend.
10. He is Photogenic
Whether he is on a beach with his dog or in the studio, Rafael likes to take a lot of shirtless photos. In one such image, he proudly displays his impressive biceps and well-defined six-pack. His impressive physique has earned him a lot of admiration from his fans.
Final Thoughts
As of now, 9-1-1: Lone Star has aired more than ten episodes and has quickly become a fan-favorite. The show has been widely praised, to the extent that it has been named among the most-watched television series. For Rafael, the series has given him the long-awaited breakthrough in the industry, and he loves portraying the life of real-life superheroes who continuously help many Americans in their daily lives.
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