Roberto's father was a well known artist and his grandfather was the President of Guatemala and Roberto himself of Spanish ancestry. During a political upheaval, the family moved to Mexico when he was a child. As a child Roberto wanted to be a bullfighter and during an injury, it was suggested he take up dancing to improve his Bull fighting. Moving to San Francisco, he studied Ballet and 'Character Dance'.

   Roberto became a member of the San Francisco "Corps de Ballet" and from 1947-1949 danced with the "Rosario and Antonio Troupe." Roberto started his own small touring