His first role in a film was in 1938, aged only eleven years old,
The Cemetery of the Eagles starring Jorge Negrete. In 1947, he lived in New York City where his love for performing arts was born. While sharing stages with Mario Moreno '
Cantinflas',
Silvia Pinal and
Enrique Rambal, he made more over 100 television and movie appearances. He received his nickname "El Borras" after starring in the TV series
Los Beverly de Peralvillo, which also inspired two movies. Rivas appeared in films of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, generally comedies, but he was also capable of playing dramatic roles. His highlights include the TV series
Gutierritos,
¡Vivan los niños!,
Carita de Angel, and
La mentira, and the movies
Cucurrucucú Paloma,
Qué familia tan cotorra and
Los Hermanos Diablo. == Personal life and death ==