Victor Rivers

Cuban-born actor Victor Rivers immigrated to the United States at the age of two. As a child he witnessed his mother undergo domestic abuse at the hands of his father, and so today he balances his career with activism for the victims of domestic violence. He has been the national spokesperson for the National Network to End Domestic Violence since 1999. After earning his Bachelor of Science in criminology and criminal justice from Florida State University, Rivers went into pro football, serving as the Miami Dolphins' offensive lineman from 1978 to 1979. A few years later, the broad-shouldered former football player landed a small part in the psycho-killer crime drama "Fear City." The film proved to be a life-changing experience for Rivers, who pursued his newfound interest in acting in earnest. With his college background in criminology, it's little wonder that Rivers has gone on to appear in a number of crime-centric features, including the cult-adored David Lynch mystery "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me," the Antonio Banderas adventure "The Mask of Zorro," and the action-packed ensemble-piece "The Air I Breathe."