La Bamba
Lou Diamond PhillipsasRitchie Valens
Biographical story of the rise from nowhere of early Native Latino American rock and roll singer Ritchie Valens who died at age 17 in a plane crash with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper.
This is the true story of Ritchie Valens, a young rock and roll singer who tragically died at age 17 in a plane crash with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper. The film follows Ritchie from his days in Pacoima, California where he and his family make a meager living working on farms to his rise as a star. The film also focuses on Ritchie’s friendship and rivalry with his older brother Roberto Morales and his relationship with his girlfriend Donna Ludwig
Lou as Ritchie Valens
Lou Diamond Phillips delivers the breakthrough performance that launched his career, portraying rock and roll pioneer Ritchie Valens with warmth, charisma and emotional depth. At just 25 years old, Phillips captured both the youthful energy and quiet determination of the teenage musician, guiding audiences through Valens' rapid rise from California farmworker to international star. His acclaimed performance remains one of the defining portrayals in modern music biopics and established him as one of Hollywood's most promising young actors.
Gallery
Cast
Additional castExplore 41 more →
Marshall CrenshawBuddy Holly
Brian SetzerEddie Cochran
Daniel ValdezLelo
Howard HuntsberryJackie Wilson
Felipe CantuCurandero
Eddie FriasChino
Mike MoroffMexican Ed
Geoffrey RivasRudy
Sam AndersonMr. Ludwig
Maggie GwinnMrs. Ludwig
Jeffrey Alan ChandlerAlan Freed
Stephen LeeBig Bopper
John QuadeBartender
Lettie IbarraVera
Diane RodriguezErnestine
Katie ValdezConnie Jr.
Gloria BalcortaIrma
Ernesto HernándezGarbage Man
Noble WillinghamHoward
Thom PintelloSound Engineer
Stephen F. SchmidtTommy Allsup
Rosanna LockeSharon Sheeley
Kim SebastianDonna's Girlfriend
Dyana OrtelliRosalinda
Andy GriggsMr. House
Art K. KoustikTrucker
Tony GenaroMr. Caballero
Allison RobinsonGirl at Party
Hunter PayneBaseball Announcer
Joe MillerStudent
Mary Ann TanedoStudent
Barb JittnerStudent
Brian RussellStudent
Yolanda Martinez OlivarriTall Blonde Girl on Motorcycle
Frank AragonStudent
Linda HoldahlDancer
Thomas Rosales Jr.Man at Party
Matthew ShieldsDancer
Reynaldo SilvaStudent
Connie ValenzuelaElderly Lady at Party
Rick DeesTed Quillin
Articles & Stories on La Bamba
Explore La Bamba
Bringing the story of Ritchie Valens to the screen was more than simply recreating the life of a rock and roll pioneer. Director Luis Valdez set out to honour the legacy of one of America's first Latino music…
Crew
- Production companies
- Columbia Pictures
- Director
- Luis Valdez
- Writer
- Luis Valdez
- Stunts
- Janet Brady
- Stunts
- Dick Ziker
- Location Manager
- Richard Davis Jr.
- Editor
- Sheldon Kahn
- Location Manager
- Josh King
- Set Decoration
- Rosemary Brandenburg
- Production Coordinator
- Misty Carey
19 additional creditsView remaining credits ↓
Script SupervisorKerry Lyn McKissick
Costume DesignSylvia Vega-Vasquez
ProducerTaylor Hackford
CastingJunie Lowry-Johnson
Casting AssociateMarcy Carriker
Executive ProducerStuart Benjamin
Director of PhotographyAdam Greenberg
ProducerBill Borden
Production DesignVincent M. Cresciman
Associate ProducerDaniel Valdez
EditorDon Brochu
Unit Production ManagerAlan C. Blomquist
Stunt CoordinatorRonnie Rondell Jr.
StuntsFreddie Hice
Stunt CoordinatorSteve M. Davison
StuntsTim A. Davison
Title DesignerDan Perri
Original Music ComposerMiles Goodman
Original Music ComposerCarlos Santana