Career
Santeiro left the island with his family at the age of twelve for Miami, Florida. He later obtained a degree in sociology from Villanova University. Santeiro first worked as a television writer for Carrascolendas, a bilingual children"s television show that debuted in 1970 on the Austin, Texas, KLRN public television station.
In 1976 he became head writer of the bilingual sitcom ¿Qué Pasa, United States of America?, produced by Miami"s public television station WPBT. ¿Qué Pasa, United States of America? was a half-hour bilingual sitcom set in Miami"s Cuban exile community that traced the lives of three generations of Cubans trying to make it in their new homeland.
Santeiro wrote a total of thirty-three scripts for the show, including the pilot episode. In 1979 he joined the writing team of the children"s television program Sesame Street.
Santeiro also contributed scripts and song lyrics to other children"s programs, such as 3-2-1 Contact, Big Bag, Oye, Willie, and Little Bill. Santeiro is also recognized for his work as a playwright.
Among his most notable plays are Our Lady of the Tortilla (1987), The Lady from Havana (1990), and The Rooster and the Egg (1994).