Six Feet Under

Hector Federico Diaz (1974–2049), played by Freddy Rodriguez, is the extremely skilled restorative artist who later becomes a partner in the business. In 1992, Rico's father Mauricio slipped on the roof and crashed face-first into the chimney. Rico and his mother Lilia went to the Fisher funeral home for burial, and to Rico's shock, Nathaniel Fisher Sr. (who then owned and operated the home) had made his father look just as he was before the accident. Rico struck up a friendship with Nathaniel, who paid for his education and hired him as a restorative artist. They remained close until Nathaniel's death. Around this time Rico married his high school sweetheart, Vanessa (Justina Machado) and had two children. Federico graduated from Cypress College in 1997 with a degree in Mortuary Science. Rico is considered one of the best in the business, and is briefly hired away by the funeral home powerhouse, Kroehner Services International, before he realizes he has become just another over-worked employee among many. He returns to work with David and Nate, but resents his low-level status. Rico and Vanessa struggle for money, but a little old lady in the neighborhood leaves them $149,000 because they had always shown her kindness. With $75,000 of that money, Rico buys 25% of Fisher & Sons. His wife Vanessa later throws him out after finding out about his relationship with a stripper. He is contrite and unable to form another relationship away from his marriage, and is eventually allowed to move back in. Federico is frequently in conflict with the Fishers over the direction of the business. After the death of Nate, Federico is pondering his future with Fisher & Diaz when he hears about a mortuary in the area for sale. David and Keith purchase Rico's 25% and Federico and Vanessa go on to establish the Diaz Family Mortuary in 2005, where he serves the community for 35 years before retiring. Rico dies in 2049 at age 75 on a cruise ship apparently of a heart attack while at his wife's side. He leaves behind his sons Julio and Augusto and his three grandchildren: Emily, Celestina and Vincent.