Francisco Rivela was born in 1955 in Spain. He was an actor, known for As the World Turns (1956), The Cosby Show (1984) and St. Paul (2005). He was married to Dr. Alina Segura-Bustamante. He died on September 29, 2009 in New York City, New York, USA.
He is survived by his wife, Dr. Alina Segua-Bustamante; their daughter Raquel Amalia Gutierrez; his sister Angelines Gutierrez Rivela; his nephew Alex Segura; and nieces, Christina, Luz, and Coral.
He graduated from the University of Madrid with a Masters Degree in Communications. He had a Bachelor's Degree in Drama from the Cordoba Conservatory in Spain. He earned a Master's Degree in Educational Theatre from New York University in New York City.
He had lived in New York City from 1980 until his death in 2009.
He was an advocate for Latin-American and Spanish Actors through the Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (H.O.L.A), Screen Actors Guild (S.A.G), and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (A.F.T.R.A).
He founded the Theatre of (No) thing in Soho, New York City in 1995 for bilingual alternative performance.