Eduardo Xol

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Torres and the second or maternal family name is Xol.

Eduardo Xol
Edwardo Xol in 2011
Born
Eduardo Torres Xol

(1966-02-19)February 19, 1966
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DiedSeptember 20, 2024(2024-09-20) (aged 58)
Palm Springs, California, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actor
  • singer
  • television personality
  • designer
  • entertainer
  • social activist
  • businessman
Years active1994–2024

Eduardo Torres Xol (pronounced "soul";[1] February 19, 1966 – September 20, 2024) was an American actor, singer, television personality, designer, entertainer, social activist and businessman.[2] He was most known to U.S. television audiences for his work as a designer on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition which formerly aired on ABC.

Early life and education

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

Xol 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, Xol joined the Brand New Theatre to perform at The Palm Beach Club in Cannes, France. It was during this time that Xol made his feature film debut in Zoot Suit with Edward James Olmos while dancing with the Mexican Dance Theatre of Los Angeles. He enrolled in the University of California, Los Angeles theatre program. While there, Xol directed and produced several musical theatre comedy revues, which toured throughout the United States.

Early career

Xol headed south to Latin America, where he worked 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.

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] He represented the United States at the International Music Festival at Viña Del Mar, Chile. Soon, Elle, Harper's Bazaar and Somos magazines featured Xol as one of Latin America's most eligible and gorgeous bachelors.[7]

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

Television

Xol joined the cast of ABC's internationally syndicated TV show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition as a co-star during Season 2. Series reruns began airing on TV Land on Tuesday August 7, 2007.[11] The show is also in syndication on CMT.[12]

Partnerships

In addition to Xol's 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 Xol as its celebrity designer for outdoor design, outdoor living and landscaping.[26] As part of the relationship, Xol executive produced and starred in a webisode series, Hayneedle Your Home.[27] The relationship continued throughout the fall with a new campaign, "Countdown to Company", in which Xol gave decorating and entertaining tips to prepare for guests during the holidays.[28]

Xol has become a 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 Xol's first book in spring 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 fall 2008, and focused on entertaining for the senses. It includes a CD of originally composed and licensed music.[33][34][35]

Charity work

Eduardo Xol was a 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]

Xol worked with the Lupus Foundation of America to increase public awareness as part of the Band Together for Lupus Campaign.[37] Xol's sister Monica has been living with lupus for the past ten years.[when?] He created a garden oasis for his sister as part of his web-series for Hayneedle.[38]

Xol was a supporter of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and 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] Xol also recorded a public service announcement for the Michigan Humane Society and worked in conjunction with The Trevor Project, Starkey Hearing Foundation, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.[41]

Death

Xol died at the Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, California, on September 20, 2024, at the age of 58.[42] He had been stabbed at his apartment the week prior and was reportedly discovered by Palm Springs Police Department with serious injuries. A 34-year-old man from Cathedral City, California, was arrested and charged with attempted murder. Following Xol's death, the charges have been upgraded to murder.[43]

References

  1. ^ Muther, Christopher (May 23, 2007). "'Extreme Makeover' star adds author to resume / Changing careers is nothing new for Eduardo Xol". SFGate.
  2. ^ "Veromi.net". veromi.net. Retrieved May 18, 2011.
  3. ^ Buchanan, Jason. "Eduardo Xol Biography". AOL Television. Retrieved May 1, 2011.[permanent dead link]
  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). Archived from the original on October 1, 2008. 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. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  32. ^ Lainez, Rene (June 4, 2008). "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. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved May 19, 2011.
  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.[dead YouTube link]
  40. ^ "Be an Ally and a Friend Spanish Language PSA". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  41. ^ "So The World May Hear Day". The Starkey Hearing Foundation. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  42. ^ "2024-07112". Riverside County Sheriff, CA. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  43. ^ "'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' Star Eduardo Xol Dead at 58 After Stabbing". TMZ. September 25, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.