Shorty Castro

Who is Shorty Castro?

Israel Castro Vélez, better known as Shorty Castro is a Puerto Rican comedian, comedy writer, stage director, radio host, singer, dancer, composer and musician, with a career spanning over 60 years. He is regarded as one of the best stage directors in Puerto Rican comedy. Among others, Benicio del Toro and Raúl Juliá have acknowledged Castro as an influence. Coincidentally, Castro was nicknamed "Shorty" by baseball player Artie Wilson, who played for the Indios de Mayagüez of the Puerto Rico Baseball League. Castro, handled the team's uniforms at the time.