Early career Castro had a blind aunt that lived at Ponce and played the guitar, whom she would join in playing the maracas. While attending school at Mayagüez he created and directed his own music groups. After meeting him, Muñiz asked Castro to perform in
La Taberna India, Muñiz's best rated television show, alongside
Rafael Cortijo's band. At a road stop in
Quebradillas, however, Castro learned about the sudden death of
Ramón Ortiz del Rivero (Diplo), Puerto Rico's most popular comedian at the time. He played congas and sang a few of Mon Rivera's plenas with the Cortijo band that day. He later became a stagehand (first) and musical bit player within the program. While appearing at
Taberna India, Castro began as a singer until the producer identified his comedic potential. He later played a similar role, "Medio Metro", along
Velda González's Azucena in
La Criada Malcriada, first on television, later on film. He and
José Miguel Agrelot worked together in many comedy television programs and live appearances. Their professional relationship and friendship lasted over 40 years. During the summer of 1957, Castro joined Jacobo Morales, Vale Cuatro, Marta Romero and Charlie Miró in a musical radio comedy that aired through WKAQ. This group also hosted other activities together, such as dances. On October 7, 1957, the show
Telefiesta De La Tarde debuted on television with an act by El Combo de Shorty Castro. In April 1959, the Fiesta Club contracted him to sign in their Secretaries Week event. That month he also performed in a homage for boxer Francisco Colón García organized by the Administración de Parquee y Recreo Públicos at Parque Sixto Escobar. Castro participated in a New Year's party in 1960, becoming the last colleague to see singer Osvaldo Seda alive since he died shortly afterwards. In August, Hotel La Campana contracted El Combo de Shorty Castro to play in a dance along Pedro Altieri y su Banda de Acero, Los Alegres del Ritmo, Davilita, Felipe Rodríguez and Los Antares.
Teaming with Agrelot As they became established, Castro would join other figures such as José Miguel Agrelot, Cristobal Berrios, Googie Santana and Vicentico Morales in a variety of public appearances and shows. Castro and Agrelot would also perform at local businesses, such as Supermercado Alonso. The La Rue Cocktail Lounge also contracted him as its master of ceremonies, promoting him as
El Eterno Teenager (lit. "the Eternal Teenager"). Castro also performed as part of the
Teatro Lírico organized at WAPA-TV to include a variety of local and international acts. In 1963, Castro made appearances at New York that were well received. At Puerto Rico, he joined Muñiz in a cooperative act held at Supermercado Hermanas Dávila. In December 1963, he appeared in Telemundo's Christmas special
Estampa Navideña along Agrelot, Ulises Brenes, Emma Rosa Vicenti, Jacobo Morales, Víctor Arrillaga and other artists. The Puerto Rico Police contracted him to perform in the presentation of the bureau's new PR official, Pedro L. Moczó, appearing along fellow conedian Cristóbal Berríos. During spring 1964, he was also contracted by the Saigon Night Club at Bayamón. In May 1964, Castro joined over fifty other artists in an event to raise funds for the Asociación Pro Rehabilitación de Adictos (APRA) held at Sixto Escobar Stadium and transmitted by WIAC and Radio Voz. At La Rue he joined Chaguín García and Combo Ponceño. Castro joined the cast of
Gran Show del Mediodía, directed by Nino Costa and performing along Tommy Muñiz, José Miguel Agrelot, Emma Rosa Vicenty, Jacobo Morales, Velda González and Camilo Fraticelli, among others. He also joined his Grupo San Juan along José Luis Moneró and Agrelot on recurrent appearances in
El Show de Harry Rexach. The cast of the show also appeared in an event where Rexach gave medals to amateur baseball players. On October 23, 1965, Castro and the Combo, Fraticelli and Lily Pagán headlined the Fiestas Patronales at Ciales. Castro and Agrelot also participated in other events, such as inauguration acts. He continued being a fixture of
El Show de Harry Rexach, touring various municipalities like Caguas, Fajardo and Levittown besides its usual base at San Juan. When the Club Caborrojeño held a homage for Muñiz, Castro was among those in attendance. Castro rejoined Agrelot in an event held by the Exchange Club to entertain the patients of the Asilo de Ancianos nursing home. Castro was also part of the cast for the show
Johnny El Men. During the summer, Castro and his Combo joined Agrelot, Muñiz, Fraticelli, Celines, Pepe Luis in a show to entertain the Puerto Rico national guard troops during its annual exercises. The cast of
El Show de Harry Rexach also held special editions for the delegations of other countries that arrived to compete in the
1966 Central American and Caribbean Games and a separate homage to local figures in charge of organizing the event at Hiram Bithorn Stadium. Castro and Sexteto San Juan were contracted by the Marimonte Tourist Inn Hotel and Restaurant at Río Grande to host a dance along Domingo Patterson and his Orquestra. Castro appeared in a film adaptation of
La criada malcriada that released in local cinemas late in 1966, starring along González, Morales, Agrelot, Yoyo Boing and Muñiz. His music group was contracted by the Young & Rubicam company to provide the entertainment in their executives party. Meanwhile, he and the Sexteto continued making appearances in several venues. Castro was given the role of Tito in the military comedy
El special de Corona. He was one of several script writers and performers for the sketch show
Esto no tiene nombre, which required several hours of writing per episode since it aired over a hundred different jokes per hour. His character of Ángelo became popular with the segment. In December 1967, Castro as Ramonieta Cienfuego joined Agrelot as Profesor Pulula and Morales as Mantenedor for a special edition of
Desafiando a los genios held at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium by the
Senadores de San Juan of the Professional Baseball League. In early 1968, Paquito Cordero took him along
Lucecita Benítez, Julio Ángel, Velda González, Felipe Rodríguez, Yayi & Elisa and Los Rebeldes on a tour of 46 shows throughout the United States. Upon returning, the Happy Boys Club of Mayagüez held an event in his honor that included a parade and concluded with the reward of a plaque at the municipal Town Hall and a show with the other artists that had participated in the tour. He endorsed journalist Jorge Font Saldaña in his bid to become mayor of San Juan. Castro also became affiliated to the Federación de Músicos de Puerto Rico, a labor union representing artists. He also made non-television appearances sponsored by Produciones Tommy Muñiz. In November 1968, Castro attended the premiere of
La criada malcriada and
Agente Cero at the
Mayan Theater in Los Angeles, California.
Peak of popularity In January 1969, he received the Agueybaná de Oro award for "Best Male Comedian" during the Codazos festival. As was the case with most of Produciones Tommy Muñiz's artists, Castro dedicated part of his free time to contribute and participate in charity events. In January 1969, Castro served as master of ceremonies in a Three Kings Day event at the Liga París in Mayagüez. When Rafi Nieves was honored by the Town and Country night club, Castro was among those invited. Castro reunited with Agrelot and Morales in an event hosted by Esso Standard Oil Co. for Puerto Rican distributors. When Damián Rosa launched his own production house at New York, he was recruited along several other Puerto Rican comedians, many from Muniz's lineup. During this time, Castro became a recurring act Thursdays at El Colubrí Cocktail Louge Night Club. In June 1969, he received a homage at the
Festival de Prensa, Radio y Televisión del Área Oeste. Castro next appeared in Guanica's Fiestas Patronales. In July 1969, Castro participated in an event to raise funds for
Hogar Crea. Castro, Agrelot, Evelyn Souffront, Herminio Quintana, Morales and Los Hispanos, among others in
El Show Corona hosted by Cervecería Corona. He was among several comedians that participated in an activity in support of the Puerto Rico Children's Hospital. Castro was also contracted to serve as the master of ceremonies at the Granada Lounge at Bayamón. In September 1969, the Club Caborrojeño organized a homage to Castro which was attended by several of his peers. In December 1969, he won another Agueybaná de Oro at the
Festival Codazos. Castro joined Cooperativa Nacional de Artes Teatrales’ (COOP-Arte)
Festival de Artistas at Country Club. In February 1970, he reunited with Agrelot and performed along more than 40 artists for the to raise funds for the Children's Hopital. They joined Morales in a pep rally at RUM as part of the LAI. He served as a cheer leader of sorts for the campus, which won the event.The Hipocampo Night Club also contracted him as master of ceremonies. At the
Festival de Teatro Internacional, Castro joined Jardiel Poncela's comedy
Tú y yo somos tres as "Gumersindo", starring along Lillian Hurst, Adrián García, Frank Moro and Aristeo Rivera Zayas. Critic Norma Valle noted that while his own presence was able to gather a reaction due to his popularity but his acting could have been better since he basically performed as "Shorty" and an enunciation issue was weighting down the performance. Other media critics considered that he met his expectations and "resulted a distinct and refreshing note in the theatrical environment". Despite the mixed reception, Castro himself was happy with his debut. He continued active in television, also appearing in the show
Encabulla vuelve y tira. During the summer of 1970, Castro received an homage at the Iguazú night club. He participated in a homage for Emilio Capacetti organized by the Asociación Puertorriqueña de Aficionados de la Música Antigua. He also performed the symbolic pitch to open the Liga París at Mayagüez. In August, Castro received a plaque from the municipality of Mayagüez as a longstanding positive representative of the town. In November 1970, he attended the premier of the local film
Arocho y Clemente directed by Miguel Ángel Álvarez. That month, Castro also sang in homage for the historic players of the Indios de Mayagüez sponsored by La Casa Mayagüezana and held before a game at Hiram Birthorn Stadium. During the winter, he challenged two time-winner Agrelot and won the Caballero de la Televisión award at
Festival Codazos. When the Indios celebrated their day on December 27, 1970, Castro raced Canena Márquez betting the role of Armando Galán against his opponent's coaching job for a day. In January 1971, La Rue held a homage for him. The following month Castro participated in a radio-marathon to raise funds for a children's hospital at Guaynabo. He continued working at the Hipocampo Night Club, where every Thursday was a "Shorty Castro Night". Entering the 1970s, Castro was appearing in
La criada malcriada,
La Comedia Histórica,
Esto no tiene nombre and
Desafiando a los genios. Castro joined Velda González's Producciones Velda starring in the comedy play
¿Será virgen mi marido? where he starred along her and Daniel Lugo with a cast that also included Lillian Hurst and Alicia Moreda. In April 1971, he was featured in
Bohemia magazine. During this time, Castro also joined Orquesta Hermanos López and performed in night clubs. In May 1971, he was part of a lineup that included several artists in the television special
El Súper Estelar de Bacardí. By the summer reports stated circulating that Castro wasn't satisfied with his role in Producciones Tommy Muñiz and had begun considering alternatives. Castro returned to the Mayagüez's LAI pep rally, gifting a plush of university mascot to rector José E. Arrarás. He joined Manuel de Sabatini and the crew of Produciones Velda in
Tres Álcobas which was presented at Teatro Cervantes. In May 1971, Castro participated in a television special that celebrated 450 years since the founding of San Juan, where he sang plena and played the battery. During the summer, he joined a march organized by Phi Delta Gamma from Río Piedras to Old San Juan to raise funds for muscular dystrophy research and treatment, receiving the fraternity's insignia as a prize. He also appeared in an event held by the
Popular Democratic Party (PPD) at Cervecería Criolla in Carolina. In July, Castro was invited to throw the first pitch in the first game of the baseball Liga Central, where Mayagüez played as the home team. In August 1971, he performed at a PPD event at Hacienda Campestre Río Lajas at Toa Alta. In August, he handed an award plaque to José Luis Mirabal, a young artist also known as Joselito, inn event held at the Hipocampo. On August 21, 1971, Castro was part of a homage given to
Miguel Pérez, a professional wrestler that won the world tag team championship along
Antonino Rocca and never lost it, held at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium. In December 1971, Castro was nominated to defend his Caballero Televisión at
Festival Codazos. In the event, he also wrestled Bizcocho in a match without referee. However, he won the Agueybaná de Oro for "Most Versatile Actor" instead. During the Professional Baseball League All-Star break, Castro (third base), Agrelot (hoke plate), Jacobo Morales (first base) and Adrián García (second base) worked as umpires of the All Timers game. In January 1972, he supported Myrta Silva when she lost her mother. In June 1974, Castro participated in a welcoming to Jerry Lewis, who landed in Puerto Rico to sign an agreement to air his tele-marathon. Afterwards, he toured New York wuth his comedy acts. In December 1973, Castro announced that he was returning to music with the release of the LP
El Shorty que usted no conoce, which featured salsa and romantic songs. He also introduced a musical show to his television repertoire and designed a hotel show titled
Puerto Rico In and Out. He and Agrelot were contracted by the Industriales to provide the entertainment in their 1974 annual convention held at Hotel Cerromar. DUringbthe winter, Castro participated in the
Caravana de Estrellas 1974 at the Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium to raise funds for the Children's Hospital. In February 1975, Castro participated in the
Festival de la Canción Mayagüezana at the Coliseo Colegial, which gathered more than a dozen artists from the municipality and was sponsored by local organizations. In April 1975, Castro served as master of ceremonies in the Juventud de Acción Católica de Puerto Rico's
Festival de Música Coral Pro Central de Juventudes, a choral music celebration. During the winter, he participated in a Christmas concert to raise funds for the Children's Hospital at Bayamón. In August 1976, Castro participated in a PPD show at Hotel San Juan along Agrelot, Yolandita Monge, Conjunto Típico and Los Jíbaros de Pellín. He also joined singer Mauro and Oscar Galende in WIPR-TV's
Música en Dos Tiempos. In November 1976, Castro joined several dozen artists in a homage held for perennial arts sponsor Rafael Quiñones Vidal at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum. In March 1977, Castro returned to the
Festival de Música Mayagüezana held at the Centro Cultural. This was followed by another CAAM pep rally where he was joined by the other Genios. In April, Castro and Agrelot appeared at a Danny Rivera concert at Guayama. During the summer, he received a homage from the Gallera Coliseo de Trujillo Alto. He joined the Variety Club of Puerto Rico in their march to raise funds for children hospitals at San Juan. Castro participated in the
Festival de la Juventud at Parque Luis Muñoz Rivera. In July 1977, he was featured as part of the lineup of the
Festival Músico-Cultural at Plaza de la Convalescencia in Río Piedras. Castro was also part of the Municipality of San Juan's youth-oriented
Navidad en Julio event. Beginning in November 1977, Castro wrote the jokes for WIPR's
La hora del niño starring ventriloquist
Kobbo Santarrosa. In February 1978, Castro returned to his third consecutive
Concierto Música Mayagüezana. In May 1978, he served as the master of ceremonies in a
Larry Harlow concert. He was also along other Puerto Rican artists that joined their Cuban counterparts at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium. During the summer, Castro participated in a musical sports event at Miramar. When Telecádena Pérez Pérry secured a contract with Tommy Muñiz, he was among several artists that joined him. Castro was also a presenter for the
Los Reyes de la Salsa concert at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum. He was also featured when Telemundo transmitted a "Cuban night" special. During the winter, Castro was the mysterious pitcher brought by the Indios to one of its games. When the
1979 Pan American Games were held at San Juan, Castro was part of the entertainment program as part of a comedy night. In an interview in Alfred D. Herger's
Cambia, Cambia on WLII-DT, he noted that wanted to star in a telenovela, produce a show whose concept he had designed back when he was in WAPA-TV and revisited an old goal of producing a feature film based on a Féliz Castero script. In March 1979, he was invited to
El Súper Show Goya as an invited comedian. During the summer, Castro participated in a televised special for raise funds for the Sociedad de Niños y Adultos Lisiados held at Hato Rey. He also made appearances at the
Show de Judy Gordon and the
Show de Shows as a robot in the skit "Familia Futura del año 2000". Castro was featured in the lineup of the
Hacia Nuevos Horizontes television special to raise funds for the SNALPR. In October, he was contracted to appear in a political television marathon for the
New Progressive Party (PNP) along several artists. The following month, Castro participated in a homage to Quique Rodríguez held at the Sixto Escobar Stadium. In January 1981, Castro served as the master of ceremonies in an event held at Safari Park. He repeated this role in an event to raise funds for the local baseball little leagues at Guaynabo. Castro reunited with Agrelot by serving as the master of ceremonies in a fund raiser for the Boy Scouts. Castro was contracted as master of ceremonies for Isla Verde Holiday Inn's Week of the Secretary dance show at the Salón Cacique dance room. He was a guest in a Wilkins concert held at Caguas on Mother's Day. In August 1981, Castro joined a homage for Rosita Velázquez held at Ocho Puertas in Old San Juan.
Working with Cordero and Vigoreaux In February 13, 1982, Castro joined the rest of the Kakucómicos in a Valentine's Day event at Guayanilla. The following week, he played the
Rey Momo at the
Carnaval Juan Ponce de León at San Juan. In August 27, 1982, he was part of a homage for actor Héctor Agosto. In January 1983, Castro received a plaque from the municipality of Mayagüez during the
Festival de Reyes. When
El Show de las 12 first debuted, he was part of the original cast. During the summer, Castro also collaborated with Ilano Tourists in a Father's Day show at the Coamo hot springs. During the winter, he performed at the
Retorno a Barcelona event at Mayagüez. During the autumn, he made his return to radio in
Tempranito en la Mañana along Cristóbal Berríos on WXTO-AM. He continued active within WKAQ-TV, besides his recurrent roles in
Los Kakucómicos and
Operacion ja, ja he also appeared in other shows such as
Súper Sábado. In August 1985, Castro returned to theater once again playing the porter in
Tú y yo somos tres at Teatro Tapia. His performance, however, was considered as exaggerated by media critic Ramón Figueroa Chapel, who disliked all aspects of the play. In March 1986, Castro joined Otilio Warrington in a comedy show at Hacienda Paola in Río Grande. He continued active in with television appearances in shows such as
Kakukómicos,
Buenas tardes and the
Festival Infantil Navideño. Outside of these, Castro would also make independent appearances in a variety of locations. In May 1987, he participated in a homage to Agrelot at
Festival de Arte El Cemí. When Cervecería India celebrated its 50th anniversary, they recognized several figures including Castro in an event held at Teatro Yagüez. During the summer, he made an appearance at the
Festival de Agua Dulce at Ciales. When Eddie Miró celebrated 35 years of career with a dance, Castro was among the invited guests. The Hotel & Casino La Ceiba at Río Grande contracted him as master of ceremonies in February 1988. That same month, Castro was interviewed by Pedro Zervigón and Elsa Fernández Miralles in
Fuera de serie, with the topic being crossdressing in Puerto Rico. He was contracted as presenter of a television-marathon to raise funds for Ciudad Deportiva Roberto Clemente held at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum. During this time, Castro began considering retirement from television. In November he was a guest at WAPA-TV's
¿En Serio?… Con Silverio. Shortly afterwards, it was officially announced that Castro had been contracted by Luis Vigoreaux Jr. to join that station. He commented that his choice to leave Producciones Cordero were not due to money, but because he felt that there were more opportunities going forward at WAPA-TV. He then participated in a homage for Segio Negrón at the Pachín Vicens Coliseum at Ponce. At WAPA-TV Castro rejoined Agrelot and Sunshine Logroño at
Eso que estamos buscando. He also participated in Vigoreaux's
Entrando por la cocina and the play adaptation,
Entrando por la Cocina: El Musical. The Sands Hotel and Casino contracted Castro to be the ceremony master at their Noche de San Juan event starring Los Rayos Gamma. He hosted Máxima 940 am radio show "Shorty Castro a las 11", on weekday noons, together with long-time friend and fellow comedian Tito Negrón. After this show ended suddenly, Shorty stayed unemployed for a while until he started hosting "Shortyoganes", a new show in the same radio station and at the same daytime, along with his old friend Oswaldo Oganes. This show also ended quickly. He later hosted a third show, "Nuestras Raíces", again with Tito Negrón, on weekday mornings. On February 3, 1997, he participated in
Los 75 años de don Tommy, a special dedicated to Muñiz's career. ==Personal life==