Victor Rivas Rivers
Actor, Athlete & National Spokesperson for the National Network to End Domestic Violence
A veteran star of more than two dozen films, Victor Rivers may be best known for such roles…
Categories :
Full Bio
A veteran star of more than two dozen films, Victor Rivers may be best known for such roles as Magic Mike, the prison gang warlord in the cult hit Blood In/Blood Out, Eddie Murphy’s sidekick in The Distinguished Gentleman, and Antonio Banderas’ ill-fated brother in The Mask of Zorro. He can be seen in the award-winning What’s Cooking? – a film that celebrates family, diversity and food – and appears in The Hulk, the Ang Lee directed blockbuster. On television Victor has guest starred on such hit shows as Better Call Saul, Modern Family, C.S.I. Miami, 24, Miami Vice, Jag, and Star Trek. Victor has a couple of upcoming films: Slipping into Darkness, which won Best Film at the Latino Film Festival and had a run on HBO/Latino in 2020, and a Netflix romantic comedy, Let It Snow.
Born in Sancti Spiritus, Cuba, Victor came with his family to this country at the age of two, enduring horrific child abuse and witnessing domestic violence on the level of torture at the hands of his father. At age fifteen, Victor took the then unprecedented legal action against his father, going on to live with a series of foster families. Thanks to the intervention of his community, he turned his life around dramatically – going from hard-core gang-member to senior class President and lettering in four sports. He attended Florida State University on a full four-year football scholarship and was mentored by Coach Bobby Bowden. A team captain and scholar athlete, upon graduation he was drafted by the Miami Dolphins with whom he was out as an offensive lineman for their 1978/79 seasons.
In 1999, with a successful career and family of his own, Victor decided to break his silence about his childhood. Though much has improved over the past thirty years, domestic violence remains the most under-reported crime in America, what is often called “the Quiet Crime.” For this reason, Victor has chosen to lend his voice and his story to the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) – a social change organization representing statewide coalitions, developing public policy, and spearheading efforts to provide more direct support to programs through information, research, funding, and training.
As National Spokesperson for the NNEDV, Mr. Rivers hopes to raise awareness that domestic violence cannot be treated exclusively as a woman’s issue; rather, he insists, it should be everyone’s issue. His ultimate survival and personal success convey the importance of intervention by others who helped him break the cycle of violence, something Victor hopes more people will do by taking a stand against our greatest yet most curable social disease.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!
LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!
MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!
SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!
CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
A Private Family Matter
How Are the Children? Why Domestic Violence Is Everyone’s Issues
I Am the Child That the Village Raised: How Teachers, Coaches & Schools Saved and Transformed My Life
Videos
Interview with Victor Rivers "Magic"
Victor Rivas Rivers speaking at YWCA Breakfast
Books
News
Testimonials
GET IDEAS
1 HOUR OR LESS
