Valdés had eight siblings: Rafael, Germán, Guadalupe, Pedro, Armando, Ramón, Cristóbal, and Antonio.

He wanted to buy the family a house, but his father turned him down and they moved to Mexico City.

[1] At the age of 13, Manuel had his first film experience, working as an extra in El hijo desobediente and receiving a payment of 12 pesos.

His first experience as a comedian was on Variedades de medio día alongside Héctor Lechuga.

"El Loco" Valdés is considered the first true television comedian.