"Hispanics are an important part of the fabric of this nation but they have a long way to go," he told the San Diego Union-Tribune in 1987. "Kids need to see images that are positive, not just to be shown as a busboy."
Avalos portrayed many roles on The Electric Company, which he joined at the beginning of the show's second season in 1972. My favorite was Pedro, keeper of the gluttonous plant Maurice (shown above), but he also portrayed Igor, assistant to the Mad Scientist played by Morgan Freeman, and Dr. Doolots, a Groucho Marx-esque medical man.
After the show ended, he took on a variety of other roles including an appearance in the Richard Pryor/Gene Wilder film Stir Crazy (where he held a wrench to a guy's genitals), and gigs on the TV shows Fame, Barney Miller, and even Full House as well as a recurring role on Hangin' With Mr. Cooper.
Here's two of his greatest hits from The Electric Company. (Unfortunately, the classic with Pedro imploring Maurice to "READ the book, not EAT the book!" has not been uncovered from anyone's archives and posted.)
Here's Avalos lending a Latino flair to Robin Hood. (Yes, that's Morgan Freeman as Robin Hood.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UzND6eAhpg
And here he is with Maurice:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNhvzPrQTBg