Valdes relocated to Miami at the tender age of five, leaving behind his childhood in Colombia. A decade later, he made the move to Marietta, Georgia, marking a significant change in his life. His journey took a creative turn when he enrolled at the University of Michigan, where he had the opportunity to study alongside the talented actors of the renowned theater group, StarKid Productions.
Following his graduation in 2011, Valdes dedicated himself fully to the world of theater. Between 2009 and 2011, he participated in several theatrical productions, including High School Musical and The Wedding Singer. His big break came when he landed a role in the national tour of Jersey Boys.
From March 2013 to March 2014, Valdes took on the challenging role of Andrej in the musical Once, showcasing his impressive skills as a multi-instrumentalist, playing the piano, guitar, ukulele, bass, and percussion. The musical received a Tony Award nomination in 2013.
Valdes made his television debut in the American series Arrow in 2014, before joining the spin-off series, The Flash, as a series regular. He played the role of Francisco "Cisco" Ramón, a brilliant engineering genius, who, along with Dr. Harrison Wells and Caitlin Snow, forms the S.T.A.R. Labs team. Together, they work closely with Barry Allen to help him master his superpowers.