David Zepeda
A Mexican actor and model whose chiseled looks and intense performances made him a mainstay in popular telenovelas.
Born 1973 (age 53)·Mexican actor·Birthday: September 19·Generation X
Biography
David Zepeda didn't just step into the spotlight; he carved a place in it with a combination of physical presence and dramatic commitment. Starting his public life as a model, he leveraged his striking appearance into acting roles, quickly becoming a familiar face in the world of Mexican soap operas. He built his reputation not on one breakout role, but on a series of leading parts in productions like 'Acorralada' and 'Abismo de pasión,' where he often played complex, passionate characters. His move to Telemundo for 'La Doña' signaled a broadening of his audience, showcasing his ability to anchor major prime-time stories. Zepeda's career is a testament to the enduring power of the telenovela star, an actor who understands the genre's rhythms and delivers the compelling, larger-than-life emotion its audience expects.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
David was born in 1973, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When David Was Born
The biggest hits of 1973
#1 Movie
The Exorcist
Best Picture
The Sting
#1 TV Show
All in the Family
David's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1973Born
US withdraws from Vietnam; Roe v. Wade decided
Gas: $0.39/galHome: $22,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" — Tony Orlando & DawnBest Picture: The Sting
1978Started school
First test-tube baby born
Gas: $0.63/galHome: $35,300Min wage: $2.65/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Shadow Dancing" — Andy GibbBest Picture: The Deer Hunter
1986Became a teenager
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1989Could drive
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1991Could vote
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1994Turned 21
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2003Turned 30
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2013Turned 40
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2023Turned 50
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 53 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Gained widespread recognition for his leading role as Francisco 'Paco' Barrón in the telenovela 'Acorralada'.
- Starred as Patricio Iturbide in the popular series 'Abismo de pasión', a remake of the classic 'Cuna de Lobos'.
- Successfully transitioned to U.S. Spanish-language television with a major role in Telemundo's second season of 'La Doña'.
- Released a self-titled pop music album in 2007, showcasing his singing ability.
Did You Know?
He was a contestant on the reality show 'Big Brother VIP' in 2004, which helped launch his television career.
Zepeda studied business administration before pursuing modeling and acting.
He is an avid martial arts practitioner and has trained in disciplines like kickboxing.
“My career is a constant search for truth in every character I portray.”
