Driven by discipline, Berto Colon, a successful Puerto Rican actor, discovered early on in life through his involvement in sports and theatre that he has an unwavering desire to succeed. What began as swimming became basketball, and eventually football; these experiences had a fundamental impact on who he is today. Football instilled discipline, work ethic, and a relentless drive to excel. This mindset evolved into something much deeper as he matured, the philosophy that “doing something meaningful every day is the spice of life”.
He credits his parents for instilling these values into him, sharing that his mother is his “north star.” She is a hardworking nurse who transitioned from a private hospital in Puerto Rico to the VA system, eventually making her way to the U.S. His father similarly provided him invaluable lessons; respect, hard work, perseverance, and the importance of utilizing the gifts God gives you. Alongside dedicated coaches and teachers, they helped mold him into a well-rounded and personable individual, focused on human decency and helping others.
Eventually, his drive and determination led him to the stage. As a child, Colon exhibited a hyperactive and impulsive nature, but he found that attention seeking could be better obtained through other means, such as sports and, later, performing. Acting became an outlet for his energy–telling stories and influencing others through art. After college, he tried traditional jobs but found that they never fully resonated with him. That realization pushed him to pursue what he truly wanted: acting. He had his first big break with his portrayal of the character Cesar in Netflix’s debut television series known as Orange Is the New Black. Since then, other major projects included The Night Agent; When They See Us; Starz’ Power Book 2: Ghost and HBO’s The Penguin and Show Me A Hero. For Berto Colon, acting is not just a career, but a purpose.
Colon brings this same purpose that he displays in his career to his personal life, ultimately aligning him with the mission of the Cristian Rivera Foundation. Having grown up in the Bronx, he was surrounded by John Gungie Rivera’s music and presence. Being only a few years older, Gungie felt both familiar and influential; His visible dedication to his work left a lasting impression. After many years living in the same city, Colon’s accountant, Anthony Mauriello, reconnected him with Gungie, and he was welcomed to his first Cristian Rivera Foundation gala. That night deeply inspired him; Learning about Cristian’s story, being a father himself, struck an emotional chord. When asked to join the Board, he did not hesitate–the mission resonated immediately.
Since then, he has incorporated building up the foundation into his life as a personal mission. He has delivered checks to CRF’s incredible doctors, like Dr. Oren Becher, who has done groundbreaking research in the field. He has also gone to provide the warriors themselves with donations, witnessing firsthand the impact of CRF. He firmly believes science has advanced enough that finding a cure is achievable.
He feels it is impossible to put the devastation of the disease into words, but he wants families to know they are not alone; the foundation exists to provide a pathway toward a cure. He defines success for CRF as keeping children alive, eradicating this disease through science, and supporting families both emotionally and financially along the way. He reaffirms, “Collectively, when we all come together to make a difference, it happens”. Ultimately, he is proud to be a part of the Cristian Rivera Foundation and feels very privileged to represent something so meaningful. For families facing a D.I.P.G. diagnosis, he has a simple, heartfelt message: “We see you. We hear you. We support you.”