Emilio Delgado was born on May 8 1940 in Calexico, California. He spent much of his childhood in Mexicali, Mexico with his grandparents. He worked in his grandfather's bicycle shop and also shined shoes growing up. When he was a teenager his parents moved to Glendale, California. In high school he was president of the Thespian Club, acted in high school productions, and played trombone in the school's bands. He studied theatre at California Institute of the Arts. He also performed as a guitarist and singer with various Mexican trios.
Emilio Delgado began his professional acting career in summer stock. He was cast on the KCET drama Cancion de la Raza, which ran from 1968 to 1969. Early in his career he was the artistic director for the Barrio Theatre of East L.A. He made his commercial television debut in 1970 in a guest appearance on Storefront Lawyers.
It was in 1971 that Emilio Delgado was cast as Luis, a handyman and an aspiring writer, on Sesame Street. He ran the L&R Fix-It Shop with Rafael (played by Raul Julia). Raul Julia left Sesame Street after one year, after which Luis became the sole owner of the Fix-It Shop. In the Seventies Emilio Delgado also guest starred on the shows Police Story, Cannon, Hawaii Five-O, ABC Weekend Specials, Delvecchio, The Chilsholms, Born to the Wind, and Quincy M.E. Towards the end of the decade and into the Eighties, Emilio Delgado played national news editor Rubin Castillo on Lou Grant.
In the Eighties Emilio Delgado continued to appear as Luis on Sesame Street and Rubin Castillo on Lou Grant. He guest starred on Falcon Crest. He made his film debut playing Luis in the Sesame Street movie Follow That Bird (1985).
In the Nineties Emilio Delgado continued to appear as Luis on Sesame Street. He guest starred on the shows Cosby, Law & Order, and Between the Lions. He appeared in the movies Reggie's Prayer (1996) and The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland (1999). In the Naughts he continued to appear on Sesame Street. He guest starred on the TV shows Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Blueblood, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and Cupid. He was the voice of the King on the animated series The Bravest Knight.
Emilio Delgado ended his long run as Luis on Sesame Street in 2016 when the show was re-tooled and much of the long time cast released from their contracts. In the Teens he guest starred on the shows Person of Interest, The Michael J. Fox Show, House of Cards, and The Get Down. He appeared in the movies A Case of You (2013) and Peebles (2013). Last year he guest starred on Law & Order: Special Victim Unit and appeared in the movie in iGilbert (2021).
In addition to singing on Sesame Street and at various Sesame Street live events. He also preformed with the band Pink Martini at various concerts and sang on their album Splendor in the Grass.
Emilio Delgado was a true pioneer. At the time that Luis first appeared on Sesame Street the majority of roles available to Chicanos or Mexican Americans were either bandidos or cholos. Luis was a sharp contrast to these roles. He was friendly, tender-hearted, and happy. He often entertained the residents of Sesame Street with his songs. At at time when most Mexicans, Mexican Americans, and Chicanos on television were outright stereotypes, Luis was a distinctly original character. He gave Mexican American children and Latinos in general a character with whom they had much in common. What is more, Emilio Delgado's roles on various other shows, such as Rubin Castillo, were not stereotypes either. He paved the way for Mexican Americans and Latinos in general in Hollywood, playing characters who were not at all stereotypical.
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