Eduardo Xol

Eduardo Torres Xol (born February 19, 1966) is an American actor, singer, television personality, designer, entertainer, social activist and businessman.[1] He is most known to U.S. television audiences for his work as a designer on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition which formerly aired on ABC.[2]

Eduardo Xol
Xol in 2011
Born
Eduardo Torres Xol

(1966-02-19) February 19, 1966
Los Angeles
OccupationTelevision personality, designer, entertainer, social activist and businessman

Childhood and education

Xol was born on February 19, 1966. He is the oldest son of Eduardo and Mirna Torres. He grew up in East Los Angeles, California. His younger siblings are Monica Cayon and Ernesto Torres.

Before joining the cast of designers on ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Eduardo had experienced a wide variety of accomplishments on both a national and global level. At one time, he was one of the youngest musicians to be scouted and selected to perform with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra at the age of ten.[3] By age 13, at the request of the National Conservatory of Music of Mexico, he also traveled on an exchange program to give a series of piano recitals.

During his teens, Eduardo joined the Braand Theatre Company to perform at The Palm Beach Club in Cannes, France. It was during this time that Eduardo also made his feature film debut in the groundbreaking "Zoot Suit" with Edward James Olmos while dancing with the Mexican Dance Theatre of Los Angeles. His continued creative passions led him to enroll in the University of California, Los Angeles theatre program. While immersed in his studies, Eduardo began directing and producing several musical theatre comedy revues, which toured throughout the United States.

Early career

Xol headed south to Latin America, where he fulfilled his desire of working in music and television in Mexico under the stage name of "Edi Xol". He starred in several worldwide-syndicated telenovelas including Acapulco, cuerpo y alma, Sentimientos Ajenos and La Jaula de Oro while producing music and videos.[2]

His production company partnered with BMG U.S. Latin to produce his first solo album, La Pasión, and the first single "Somos" ("We Are") was nominated for a Lo Nuestro Award for Video of the Year.[4][5][6] His representation of the United States at the International Music Festival at Viña Del Mar, Chile brought his appeal to a worldwide audience. Soon, Elle, Harper's Bazaar and Somos magazines featured the charming and down to earth Eduardo as one of Latin America's most eligible and gorgeous bachelors.[7]

In 1998, Xol decided to make the United States his home base once again as he transferred his experience in musical composition and entertainment production into the world of lifestyle and design.[8] He began spending important time with his father as he learned the art of caring for bonsai trees. It was this return to plants that solidified his design aesthetic and life philosophy.[9][10]

Television

As one of the co-stars of ABC's internationally syndicated TV show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Eduardo's compositions, especially in exterior design, have been on display for millions of people each week. He joined the cast in Season 2. He recently wrapped Season 8. Series reruns began airing on TV Land on Tuesday August 7, 2007.[11] The show is also in syndication on CMT.[12]

Partnerships

Eduardo's work extends into all forms of media. In addition to his monthly column that he authored in People en Español and AOL Latino, he has been featured and produced segments for Good Morning America, and was named among the "100 Most Influential Hispanics in America" by Hispanic Business Magazine.[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]

In 2010, Hayneedle announced the launch of the Hayneedle.com Backyard Summer, a multimillion-dollar, integrated marketing campaign aimed at bringing variety to America's homes with Eduardo as its celebrity designer offering his expertise and advice for outdoor design, outdoor living and landscaping.[26] As part of the relationship, Eduardo executive produced and starred in a popular webisode series "Hayneedle Your Home" for the e-retailer.[27] The relationship continued throughout the fall with a new campaign, "Countdown to Company", in which Eduardo gave decorating and entertaining tips to prepare for guests during the holidays.[28]

Xol has become a respected voice in both the Hispanic and English language markets, having partnered with companies such as the Ford Motor Company, Sears, Waterford Crystal, The Occasion Group/Taylor Corporation and DirecTV.[29]

Books

HarperCollins published Eduardo's first book in the Spring of 2007 titled "Home Sense", which was awarded the Best Self-Help Book at the 2008 International Latino Book Awards.[30][31][32] His second book, "Extreme Entertaining Made Simple", was published by the Penguin Group in the fall of 2008, and focused on entertaining for the senses and is one of the few lifestyle entertainment titles to include a CD of originally composed and licensed music.[33][34][35]

Charity work

Eduardo Xol brings his wealth of diverse artistic training and education to many charities, especially to his role as co-founder of the ALUMI Media Group, a non-profit organization that brings alternative learning through media arts to students in underserved communities in the Los Angeles area.[36]

His philanthropic work has also made an impact on a national level. Eduardo has worked with the Lupus Foundation of America to increase public awareness as part of the Band Together for Lupus Campaign.[37] An avid supporter of the Lupus Foundation, Eduardo has been committed to this particular cause as his sister Monica has been living with lupus for the past ten years. He recently created a garden oasis for his sister as part of his web-series for Hayneedle.[38]

Eduardo has been an avid supporter of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) over the years and has shot public service announcements as a part of the "Be an Ally & a Friend" public education campaign in both English and Spanish (with actresses Sofía Vergara and Zoe Saldana).[39][40] Eduardo has also recorded a public service announcement for the Michigan Humane Society and has worked in conjunction with The Trevor Project, Starkey Hearing Foundation, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.[41]

References
  1. "Veromi.net". veromi.net. Retrieved May 18, 2011.
  2. "Internet Movie Database". IMDb. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  3. Buchanan, Jason. "Eduardo Xol Biography". AOL Television. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  4. Burr, Ramiro (May 1, 1994). "Miguel, Guerra top awards nominees". San Antonio Express-News.
  5. "Profile on Billboard.com". Billboard. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  6. Acevedo, Yoselín. "Un viaje al mundo de Eduardo Xol". People en Español. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  7. Denizet-Lewis, Benoit (November 9, 1999). Oh, Eduardo!. The Advocate. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  8. Berkus, Nate. "Designer Eduardo Xol". Oprah Radio / Oprah.com. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  9. Muther, Christopher (May 17, 2007). "Career makeover brings him 'home'". Boston Globe. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  10. "Profile: Eduardo Xol". AOL Latino. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  11. Rocchio, Christopher. "TV Land acquires 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' off-network rights". Reality TV World. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  12. "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Series Profile on CMT.com". Country Music Television (CMT). Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  13. Xol, Eduardo. "Casa con Eduardo Xol". People en Español (December 2005 / January 2006): 173–174.
  14. Xol, Eduardo. "Casa con Eduardo Xol". People en Español (February 2006): 114–115.
  15. Xol, Eduardo. "Casa con Eduardo Xol". People en Español (March 2006): 127–128.
  16. Xol, Eduardo. "Casa con Eduardo Xol". People en Español (April 2006): 145–146.
  17. Xol, Eduardo. "Casa con Eduardo Xol". People en Español (May 2006): 143–144.
  18. Xol, Eduardo. "Casa con Eduardo Xol". People en Español (June 2006): 249–250.
  19. Xol, Eduardo. "Casa con Eduardo Xol". People en Español (July 2006): 145–146.
  20. Xol, Eduardo. "Casa con Eduardo Xol". People en Español (August 2006): 167–168.
  21. Xol, Eduardo. "Casa con Eduardo Xol". People en Español (September 2006): 207–208.
  22. Xol, Eduardo. "Casa con Eduardo Xol". People en Español (October 2006): 181–182.
  23. Xol, Eduardo. "Casa con Eduardo Xol". People en Español (November 2006): 145.
  24. Xol, Eduardo. "AOL Latino Blog: Eduardo Xol". AOL Latino. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  25. "Decorating Tips From 'Extreme Makeover' Designer". Good Morning America. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  26. "Hayneedle.com kicks off backyard campaign". Casual Living. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  27. "Hayneedle Your Home with Eduardo Xol". Hayneedle.com. Archived from the original on April 25, 2011. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  28. "Hayneedle Blog". Hayneedle.com. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  29. "FORD Awards 50 Edges in 50 States". FORD Motor Company. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  30. Xol, Eduardo (2007). Home Sense: Simple Solutions to Enhance Where and How You Live. HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0-06-124976-1.
  31. Xol, Eduardo. "Home Sense: Simple Solutions to Enhance Where and How You Live". HarperCollins Publishers. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  32. Lainez, Rene. "Feria del Libro and International Latino Book Award Winners". La Bloga. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  33. Xol, Eduardo (2008). Extreme Entertaining Made Simple. Celebra/Penguin Group. ISBN 978-0-451-22416-3.
  34. Xol, Eduardo (2008). Extreme Entertaining Made Simple. Celebra. ISBN 978-0451224163.
  35. Logan, Shari (November 12, 2008). "A Mexican Thanksgiving with Eduardo Xol". New York Post. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  36. "ALUMI Media Group". Eduardo Xol. Archived from the original on May 11, 2011. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  37. "Eduardo Xol from ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Bands Together With the Lupus Foundation of America to Support Lupus Awareness Month". Lupus Foundation of America.
  38. Miller, Gerri. "Family Ties: Eduardo Xol creates Zen retreat for sister living with lupus". Lupus Now. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved May 19, 2011.
  39. "Behind the Scenes at the 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards". Equality4All. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  40. "Be an Ally and a Friend Spanish Language PSA". Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  41. "So The World May Hear Day". The Starkey Hearing Foundation. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
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