West Indian/Ameri-Indian Actors and Actresses
A comprehensive list of native Indians who are native to the West Indies, people from the islands and South America which include both Central and North America.
Due to the European language Spanish, racial classification of Hispanic and Latino is confusing, one being a language yet another is a mixed culture of Indians from the Americas. Ameri-Indian, Arawak, Taino, Carib with African etc.
Need Guyanese, Haitian/Dominican Republic, Cuban, Jamaican, St Lucian, T&T, Grenada, Panama, Guatemala, Honduras, Colombia, French Guyana, Suriname, Brasilia.
Please note historically Mexico was the whole of Texas to the canadian border.
Akawaio, Arawak, Atorada, Carib, Macushi, Mapidian, Patamona, Pemon, Waiwai, Wapishana, Warao
Due to the European language Spanish, racial classification of Hispanic and Latino is confusing, one being a language yet another is a mixed culture of Indians from the Americas. Ameri-Indian, Arawak, Taino, Carib with African etc.
Need Guyanese, Haitian/Dominican Republic, Cuban, Jamaican, St Lucian, T&T, Grenada, Panama, Guatemala, Honduras, Colombia, French Guyana, Suriname, Brasilia.
Please note historically Mexico was the whole of Texas to the canadian border.
Akawaio, Arawak, Atorada, Carib, Macushi, Mapidian, Patamona, Pemon, Waiwai, Wapishana, Warao
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- Actor
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Actor of Puerto Rican descent who gained fame making many memorable films in the 1980s and 1990s due to his villainous physical appearance. Guzmán was born in Cayey, Puerto Rico on August 28, 1956 and raised in New York City's Greenwich Village and the surrounding Lower East Side neighborhood. His mother Rosa worked in a hospital and Benjamin Cardona, his stepfather, was a TV repairman. Guzman presently resides in Vermont with his wife and kids.Puerto Rican- Actor
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- Director
The middle of five children, Bratt hails from a close-knit family. His mother, an indigenous Quechua Peruvian from Lima, moved to the U.S. at age 14. He grew up in San Francisco. He is known for his roles in the films Traffic (2000), Miss Congeniality (2000), and Despicable Me 2 (2013). He is married to actress Talisa Soto.Peruvian- Music Artist
- Producer
- Actress
Jennifer Lynn Lopez was born on July 24, 1969 in The Bronx, New York City, New York to teacher Lupe López and computer specialist David López. The two Puerto Ricans were brought to the continental United States during their childhoods and eventually met while living in New York City. Their daughters would have a stable, middle-class upbringing.
Jennifer always dreamed of being a multi-tasking superstar. As a child, she enjoyed a variety of musical genres, mainly Afro-Caribbean rhythms like salsa, merengue, and bachata, and mainstream music like pop, hip-hop, and R&B. Although she loved music, the film industry also intrigued her. Her biggest influence was the Rita Moreno musical, West Side Story (1961). At 5, Jennifer began taking singing and dancing lessons. Aside from being a budding entertainer, Jennifer was also a Catholic schoolgirl, attending eight years at a Catholic elementary school named Holy Family, located in The Bronx, before graduating from all-girls prep school Preston High School after a four-year stay. At school, Jennifer was an amazing athlete and participated in track and field and tennis. She spent most of her upbringing in a two-story house in the Castle Hill neighborhood.
At 18, Jennifer moved out of her parents' home. After high school, she briefly worked in a law office and took dance classes at night. During this time, she continued dance classes at night. Her big break came when she was offered a job as a fly girl on Fox's hit comedy In Living Color (1990). After a two-year stay at In Living Color (1990) where actress Rosie Perez served as choreographer, Lopez then went on to dance for famed singer-actress Janet Jackson. Her first major film was Gregory Nava's My Family/Mi familia (1995), and her career went into overdrive when she portrayed late Tejana singer Selena in Selena (1997).Puerto Rican- Actress
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Eva Mendes is an American actress, model and businesswoman. She began acting in the late 1990s. After a series of roles in B movies such as Children of the Corn V: Fields of Terror (1998) and Urban Legends: Final Cut (2000), she made a career-changing appearance in Training Day (2001). Since then, Mendes has co-starred in films such as All About the Benjamins (2002), 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003), Ghost Rider (2007), We Own the Night (2007), Stuck on You (2003), Hitch (2005), opposite Will Smith. and The Other Guys (2010). She has appeared in several music videos for artists like Will Smith. Mendes has been a model and ambassador for Cocio chocolate milk, Magnum ice cream, Calvin Klein, Cartier, Thierry Mugler perfume, Reebok, Campari apéritif, Pantene shampoo, Morgan, and Peek & Cloppenburg. She designs a fashion collection for New York & Company and is also the creative director of CIRCA Beauty, a makeup line sold at Walgreens.
Eva de la Caridad Méndez was born in Miami, Florida, to Cuban parents Eva Pérez Suárez and Juan Carlos Méndez, and was raised by her mother in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Silver Lake after her parents' divorce. Mendes grew up a Roman Catholic and at one time even considered becoming a Catholic nun. Her mother worked at Mann's Chinese Theatre and later for an aerospace company, and her father ran a meat distribution business. Mendes had one older brother, Juan Carlos Méndez, Jr. (1963-2016), who died from throat cancer. She has an older sister, Janet, and a younger paternal half-brother, Carlos Alberto "Carlo" Méndez. She attended Hoover High School in Glendale, and later studied marketing at California State University, Northridge, but left college to pursue acting under coach Ivana Chubbuck. Mendes began her acting career after a talent manager saw her photo in a friend's portfolio. Her first film appearance was in the direct-to-video Children of the Corn V: Fields of Terror (1998). Mendes was disappointed in her performance and she hired an acting coach. She then appeared in the films A Night at the Roxbury, My Brother the Pig, Urban Legends: Final Cut, and Exit Wounds. Mendes' breakthrough role came when she appeared in Antoine Fuqua's crime thriller Training Day (2001), playing the girlfriend of Denzel Washington's character. This then led to roles in All About the Benjamins (2002), 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003), Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003) (which earned her a nomination at the Teen Choice Awards), Out of Time (2003), and Stuck on You (2003).
She was the female lead in the 2005 film Hitch, making her one of the first minority actors to play the lead in a hit romantic comedy. Mendes subsequently starred in The Wendell Baker Story (2005) with Owen Wilson, Luke Wilson and Will Ferrell, with Luke Wilson directing, as well as Guilty Hearts (2002), Trust the Man (2005), Ghost Rider (2007), We Own the Night (2007), Live! (2007), and Cleaner (2007). In 2008, she was nominated for the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress for her performance in the all-female comedy film The Women. Mendes then appeared in The Spirit, Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, The Other Guys (2010), Last Night (2010), Fast Five (2011), and a spoof short film for Funny or Die. In 2012, Mendes visited Sierra Leone and was featured in the PBS documentary Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide. In 2012, she starred in the crime drama film The Place Beyond the Pines, with Entertainment Weekly describing her performance as "quietly heartbreaking". The following year, she appeared in the HBO comedy film Clear History (2013). Mendes appeared in the Pet Shop Boys' music video for "Se a vida é (That's the Way Life Is)" in 1996, Aerosmith's music video for "Hole in My Soul" in 1997, and Will Smith's music video for "Miami" in 1998.
She also appeared in the music video for The Strokes' "The End Has No End" in 2004, and appeared nude in a print advertisement for Calvin Klein's Secret Obsession perfume, an ad which was banned in the United States. In December 2007, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) used a nude photo of Mendes for their anti-fur campaign. She also modeled in a Morgan campaign. Mendes was a spokesmodel for the 2008 Campari calendar. In July 2008, she was announced as the international face of Australia's 30 Days of Fashion & Beauty event. She made guest appearances in that country at the month-long festival in September. Mendes has been a spokesperson for Calvin Klein, Magnum, and the chocolate milk brand Cocio. She also promoted Thierry Mugler's Angel fragrance, Reebok shoes, and Pantene shampoo. In 2011, Mendes appeared in a Peek & Cloppenburg clothing catalog. Mendes has a line of bed linens and dinnerware that is sold at Macy's. In 2010, Mendes sang on "Pimps Don't Cry," a song featured in The Other Guys, and performed a duet with CeeLo Green on "Pimps Don't Cry." In 2011, she recorded a version of "The Windmills of Your Mind."
Along with acting, Eva is employed by Revlon Cosmetics as an international spokeswoman. She joins such elite actresses and models as Julianne Moore, Halle Berry and Cindy Crawford, who appear in Revlon's television and print ads. She is also a passionate supporter and active participant in Revlon's fight against breast cancer. Eva's goals are to improve her acting skills by working with such contemporary directors as Steven Soderbergh, Spike Jonze, Pedro Almodóvar, Robert Rodriguez, Carl Franklin, John Singleton, and Antoine Fuqua and learning from such renowned directors as Federico Fellini and Michelangelo Antonioni.
She was the creative director of the makeup brand CIRCA Beauty, which launched exclusively at Walgreens in 2015.
Eva has two children with her partner Ryan Gosling.Cuban- Actor
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Martin Sensmeier is an American Actor and Producer from the Alaskan Native Tribes, Tlingit as well as Koyukon-Athabascan. He was raised in the village of Yakutat, Alaska.
He is best known for his roles in the Magnificent Seven, Wind River, Yellowstone and Westworld. He next can be seen in Netflix' Mini-Series The Liberator and The Feature Film The Last Manhunt opposite Jason Momoa.- Ramon Franco is considered by many in the industry one of the finest character actors of his generation.In 2014 he made Grantland's list of "The 10 Most Underappreciated Actors on TV This Year" for his role as Fausto Galvan in the Peabody award-winning show "The Bridge". He's best known to movie audiences through his co-starring role in Heartbreak Ridge (1986) with Clint Eastwood.
Ramon received a baptism by fire in the off-Broadway Theatre during his early teen-aged years. Work with the Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre and in the critically-lauded production of Sancocho at Joseph Papp's Public Theatre in New York led to his first screen appearance in 1979's Boardwalk (1979) in which, at age 14, Ramon played opposite the legendary Lee Strasberg.
During the ensuing years, Ramon divided his time between stage work, television production and high school studies in the Bronx. Credits from that early portion of his career include the critically praised stage productions of Runaways by Elizabeth Swados, The Sun Always Shines for the Cool by Miguel Pinero, and We're Fighting Back (1981), a TV movie about the New York Guardian Angels.
Despite the professional activity that absorbed him during his teens, Ramon took a break from acting to work towards a bachelor of arts degree at Bard College. It was a brief hiatus. Ramon was enticed away from Bard's upstate New York campus when his agent called with several firm work offers. Academics were temporarily shelved in favor of a recurring role as Trimmer on the daytime drama Guiding Light (1952), appearances on Hill Street Blues (1981), Miami Vice (1984) and the pilot for _Stingray_, as well as roles in the features Deadly Force (1983) and Bulletproof (1996).
A return to the New York stage in early 1986 led to Ramon's most important break thus far. His performance as the troubled Marine Corporal Acevedo in the Chelsea Theatre production of Wasted drew rave reviews and attracted the attention of Clint Eastwood, who was then casting for young actors to portray a group of Marines who took part in the U.S. invasion of Grenada in 1984. Ramon's vivid portrayal of Corporal Acevedo landed him the part of Private Aponte in Eastwood's Heartbreak Ridge. Though demoted in military rank from Corporal to Private, Ramon was elated.
With Heartbreak Ridge behind him, many doors have opened for Ramon Franco. Filming Heartbreak Ridge in Hollywood and on locations in Puerto Rico also offered Ramon the opportunity to return to the town of Caguas, which he had left with his family during his early childhood. "It was very moving," he says, "the look on my father's face when I got off the plane with Clint Eastwood was priceless. It definitely made me feel I was on the right path." Indeed he was.
Upon completion of Heartbreak Ridge, Ramon relocated to Los Angeles and not only worked on episodes of Ohara (1987) and MacGyver (1985) but was cast as Private Alberto Ruiz in the CBS television series Tour of Duty (1987). Tour of Duty was the only TV show to have recognized Hispanic American involvement in the nation's armed conflicts through the character of Ruiz. From the years of Combat! (1962) to China Beach (1988), Hispanics had never been acknowledged in the form of leading characters. The EMMY Award winning show ran three seasons and enabled him to work on over fifty episodes garnering him international recognition.
Ramon has had the pleasure of working with many talented actors over the years: John Travolta in Chains of Gold (1990), Scott Glenn in Extreme Justice (1993), Gary Busey in Bulletproof (1996), Robert Beltran in Kiss Me a Killer (1991), opposite Robert Conrad in the TV movie Sworn to Vengeance (1993) and as a rookie FBI agent on Shattered Image (1994) with Bo Derek and Jack Scalia. One of his favorite roles was Mr. Cruz, a small town teacher in Search and Rescue (1994), starring Robert Conrad and Dee Wallace, on the NBC Network.
Over the span of his career, this ubiquitous and versatile actor has managed to guest star on nearly every popular TV show made over the last 25 years. From dramas like House (2004), The X-Files (1993), Cold Case (2003), Medium (2005) and NYPD Blue (1993) to comedies like Dead at 21 (1994), Bakersfield P.D. (1993), Seinfeld (1989), and Eagleheart (2011). In 2007, he played the role of Runty in the summer's #1 hit Resident Evil: Extinction (2007) and his excellent work as Arturo Padron, the man sent to assassinate Fidel Castro in the Golden Globe nominated mini-series The Company (2007) received great notices as well.
Ramon's most recent film work includes The Perfect Game (2009) a remake of Los pequeños gigantes (1960). He just wrapped the pilot for The Good Guys (2010) for 20th Century Fox and roles on CSI: Miami (2002) and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000). Of most recent notoriety is his critically praised and fan favorite role of Dirty Man/ Sucio on the hit Showtime series Weeds (2005). A one time guest role was expanded to 7 episodes over seasons four and five. The episode where Sucio meets his ultimate demise is considered comic genius and honored his character with the title of Su-Su-Sucio.
By far his most critically acclaimed work has been as Fausto Galvan in the 2014 Peabody award-winning show The Bridge (2013). A breakout performance loved by critics and fans alike worldwide.Of his work critic Andy Greenwald wrote,"In the season's most remarkable scene, Fausto interrupted a village quinceañera - not to wreak havoc, but to lose himself in normalcy, if only for a moment. With elegant focus, Franco was able to reveal the twisted root of his character's evil: a gnarled hunk of something that once, just maybe, looked an awful lot like decency." In 2019 he became the first actor in history to play 4 roles in a Quentin Tarantino film when he was cast in the director's Magnum Opus 'Once upon a time in Hollywood'. Mr. Franco is the recipient of the Desi Arnaz Vanguard Award, given for being a strong role model and improving the image of Hispanics in the media arts.Puerto Rican - Born to a Puerto Rican family in Brooklyn, Talisa was raised there and in Massachusetts. She started modeling at age 15 and has appeared on the covers of "Vogue," "Mademoiselle," "Glamour," and "Self," as well as in a "Sports Illustrated" swimsuit issue. She has been making film appearances since 1988, beginning with Spike of Bensonhurst (1988).
- Actor
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Erik Estrada was born on 16 March 1949 in New York City, New York, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for CHiPs (1977), Loaded Weapon 1 (1993) and National Lampoon's Van Wilder (2002). He has been married to Nanette Mirkovich since 20 September 1997. They have one child. He was previously married to Peggy Rowe and Joyce Miller.Puerto Rican- Lanky, balding, intense American character actor of Puerto Rican ancestry, born in New York's Spanish Harlem. Deserted by his parents, Sierra was brought up by an aunt in a rough, predominantly Irish neighbourhood from the age of six. Though briefly tempted by gang life as a teenager, he took up acting classes after accompanying a friend to an audition and ended up playing Shakespearean roles with the National Shakespeare Company and in the New York Shakespeare Festival (playing, among many other parts, Macbeth and Romeo), as well as appearing off-Broadway. He later said "I would have been happy if I continued to do that for the rest of my life". However, in 1969, Sierra decided to move to Hollywood and began acting in episodic television where he was initially typecast as Latino heavies or cops.
Sierra made his breakthrough in the role of Julio Fuentes on NBC's Sanford and Son (1972), his character the perennial butt of bigoted jokes from the show's cantankerous lead, played by Redd Foxx. He then appeared in the original cast of the police sitcom Barney Miller (1975) as the passionate, proudly Puerto Rican Detective Sergeant Chano Amenguale. Written out of the show at the end of season two, he had further recurring roles in serial television, frequently alternating between comedy and drama. These included the short-lived hospital sitcom A.E.S. Hudson Street (1977), the controversial but hugely popular parody Soap (1977) (as South American counter-revolutionary "El Puerco"), Hill Street Blues (1981) (as Assistant District Attorney Alvarez), Zorro and Son (1983) (as garrison commander Paco Pico, one of the hero's chief antagonists), Miami Vice (1984) (as Don Johnson's erstwhile boss Lou Rodriguez, killed off by a hitman in episode four -- in fact, Sierra opted to leave the show because he disliked Miami) and the science fiction series Something Is Out There (1988) (as Captain Victor Maldonado). His numerous, varied and often highly entertaining guest appearances have included supporting roles as a Native American renegade on Gunsmoke (1955), a mutated religious leader living underneath irradiated New York in Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970), a professor of anthropology helping Mulder and Scully track down the Jersey Devil in The X-Files (1993), a Cardassian member of the sinister Obsidian Order on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993), an Italian priest in John Carpenter's Vampires (1998) and an Iraqi gunboat captain in the Rambo spoof Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993).
Sierra made his home in Laguna Beach, California, where he died of cancer on January 4 2021 at the age of 84.Cuban - Actor
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Born February 24, 1947, in East Los Angeles, at The First Japanese Hospital to Pedro Olmos and Eleanor Huizar. Raised on Cheesebrough's Lane, he attended Greenwood Elementary and Montebello Junior High. He then graduated from Montebello High School in 1964. After which he received an Associative Arts Degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice at East Los Angeles College in 1966. Olmos since then has gone on to receive many accolades from the City of Montebello, including the Alumni of The Year from Montebello High School in 2014, and Man of the Year Award from The Mexican American Opportunity Foundation in 2015.
He has achieved extraordinary success as an actor, producer and humanitarian. The Tony, Emmy and Academy Award® Nominated actor, is probably best known to young audiences for his work on the SYFY television series "Battlestar Galatica" as Admiral William Adama. Although the series kept the actor busy during its run from 2003 through 2009, it didn't stop him from directing the HBO movie "Walkout" in 2007, for which he earned a DGA Nomination in the Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television category.
Olmos' career in entertainment spans over 30 years. In that time he created a signature style and aesthetic that he applies to every artist endeavor, often grounding his characters in reality and gravitas. His dedication to his craft has brought him attention across the industry, and with audiences worldwide.Mexican Aztec- Actor
- Costume and Wardrobe Department
- Music Department
Born in Chamberlain, South Dakota and residing in Montana, Spears has five brothers, one sister, and is Lakota Sioux Tribe. His first role was in the film "Dances With Wolves" as Otter. Michael went on to appear in "Skins", "Into The West", "Yellow Rock", Cyril Morin's "The Activist", and had a guest role on "Longmire". He has an American Photographic Artists (APA) Award for best subject matter in a film. He co-hosted the American Indian Film Institute Awards in 2013.North American- Actor
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Jerry Wolf is a Native American (Cherokee and Osage) Actor and co-founder of Napesni Motion Pictures, based in Los Angeles. His journey in the world of film and storytelling is motivated by the importance of representation. Jerry's recent role in Martin Scorsese's 'Killers of the Flower Moon' and his presence on the festival circuit with 'Last Patrol on Okinawa' exemplify his dedication to inclusive storytelling.
His journey began with 'Four Winds,' a Western film he co-wrote and produced. This groundbreaking project featured Native American leads in the post-Civil War American West and premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2013. Jerry's love for acting and storytelling blossomed during this time as did the beginnings of navigating Los Angeles as an actor, writer, and producer.
What sets Jerry apart is his strong connection to his Native communities. He actively participates in traditional ceremonial life on his Osage reservation in Oklahoma, carrying a deep sense of responsibility and community into his work. Jerry Wolf's journey exemplifies the power of diverse voices and the impact of multicultural storytelling in spaces where representation has historically been lacking.North American- Actress
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Devery Jacobs was born and raised in Kahnawa:ke Mohawk Territory and is an award-winning actor and filmmaker. Her breakout leading role in Rhymes for Young Ghouls (2013) landed her a nomination for a Canadian Screen Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role. Since then, Jacobs is mainly known for her performances in Taika Waititi's FX Series Reservation Dogs (2021-), Amazon Prime Video/STARZ's American Gods (2019-20), Netflix's The Order (2019-20) CTV's Cardinal (2018) and the Amazon Prime thriller The Lie (2020).
Alongside acting, Jacobs is also an award-winning filmmaker. Her short film Rae (2017) was an official selection of the 2018 Palm Springs Shortfest, and won Best Youth Work at the 2017 imagineNATIVE Film Festival. Jacobs was named one of Canada's Rising Breakout Stars by the Hollywood Reporter and was honored by Telefilm Canada at the 2017 Birks Diamond Tribute, celebrating women in film. Jacobs was also a TIFF Rising Star at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival.North American- Ashley Callingbull is a Cree First Nations woman from Enoch Cree Nation, Alberta.
She appears in the Gemini award winning television series Blackstone. Ashley is also featured in CBC's 8th Fire Series and the Catch The Dream series. The loss of some very close family members have led Ashley to support the Stollery Children's Hospital, Walk for the Cure, Run for the Lung and to mentor underprivileged aboriginal youth. Ashley was the first First Nations woman to become Miss Canada in 2010 and represented her nation in international pageants in China, Barbados and Europe.
Ashley is also an international motivational speaker and role model for many educational institutions, workshops, conferences and award ceremonies. Ashley has spoken at Harvard University, TED Talks and WE Day. Ashley's hard work and charity work was recognized as she received the Role Model Award at the Dreamcatcher Gala and she also received the Top 20 Under 30 Award in Canada. Ashley also received a role model award from the United Nations in October 2015 for Global Dignity Day.
Ashley is currently the reigning Mrs Universe 2015 and a Canadian Activist for First Nations Rights and environmental causes in Canada. Ashley is also a spokesperson and model for the Nike N7 organization.North American - Actor
- Producer
Kiowa Gordon was born on March 25, 1990 in Berlin, Germany as Kiowa Joseph Gordon. Moved to the States shortly after to live on the Hualapai Indian Reservation in Peach Springs, AZ and moved around quite a bit growing up until settling down in Phoenix, AZ where he landed the role of Embry Call in The Twilight Saga. He recently won best supporting actor at the 2013 American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco for his role in the indie film, The Lesser Blessed. Ki was also a series regular on a Sundance original series called The Red Road, starring Jason Momoa, Julianne Nicholson and Martin Henderson. Starting in 2021, became a series regular on AMC's hit drama, Dark Winds, an adaptation of Tony Hillerman's Leaphorn and Chee novels. Kiowa's mother, Camille, is from the Hualapai Nation and his father, Tom, is Scottish, Jewish and Choctaw. He has 7 siblings; Cheyenne, Josh, Lakota, MacGregor, Aaron, Sean and Sariah.North American- Kiowa Pratt-Gordon is known for Invisible Forces (2009) and Kettlemans Forest (2015).
- Actress
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Amber Midthunder is an American actress who uncovered a deep love of acting at a young age. Growing up with an actor father and casting director mother, she began her own on-screen career early in life. Her first speaking role was at the age of 9 opposite Oscar winner Alan Arkin in the indie hit Sunshine Cleaning. Since that time she has continued her work as an actress with series regular roles on Marvel/FX's "Legion", and The CW's "Roswell, New Mexico"; as well as leading feature films such as "The Ice Road" for Netflix and 20th Century's "Prey."
Midthunder is an enrolled tribal member at Ft. Peck Indian Reservation.
Outside of acting she has a passion for animal rights and environmental activism.North American- Actress
- Director
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Sarain Fox is known for I Need You, Need Me (2011), Once a Tree: Hide (2016) and A Tribe Called Red Feat. Northern Voice: Sisters (2013).North American- Crystle Lightning, the Canadian Screen Award Winner for "Best Actress in a Drama Series" 2021, is an Indigenous Actress from the Enoch Cree Nation in Alberta. She began her career at age nine when she landed her first lead role in the feature: 3 NINJAS: Knuckle Up and has been working in the industry ever since.
Crystle's film and television appearances include "Yellowstone" on Paramount +, "Outlander" on Starz, "Trickster" (series lead) on The CW, "The Good Doctor" on ABC, "Rutherford Falls" on Peacock, "Ghosts" (recurring) on CBS, and recently the #1 Series on Amazon Prime TV "Three Pines" on Prime TV. This year, you will see Lightning in "Spirit Rangers" on Netflix, George R. R. Martin's "Mary Margaret Road Grader," directed by Steven Paul Judd, "Fancy Dance," directed by Erica Tremblay and "Bass Reeves" on Paramount +.
Lightning is co-creator and star of the all-Native, hit musical "BEAR GREASE," an Indigenous twist to the 1978 Classic, "Grease," marking her directorial debut.
In addition to acting, Lightning is a Hip Hop recording artist and a member of the award- winning group "LightningCloud." She has won Power 106's "Who's Next?" and Hot 97's "Battle for the Best." Additionally, she has recorded with a myriad of artists including Cypress Hill and Timbaland and toured with legends like Kendrick Lamar, Asap Rocky and Nicki Minaj.
Now, Crystle lives in Treaty 6, Alberta with her husband, son and 3 dogs.North American - Actress
- Producer
- Executive
A dedicated performer, visual artist, & creative producer, Marisa is best known for her role as "Huilen" - a pivotal character in the Box Office hit Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2.
She is a graduate of the esteemed Brown University, and as part of her Ivy League undergraduate experience she had the privilege of training at both the National Theater Institute and the St. Petersberg State Theatre Arts Academy in St. Petersberg, Russia.
Upon graduation Marisa moved to New York City where she co-founded Davai Theatre Ensemble. During her time in NYC, she modeled in popular magazines like "Latina" & "Glamour", appeared in indie films, commercials, and produced and performed in Off-Broadway theater productions.
Since moving to LA, Marisa has booked roles in national commercials, print ads, indie films, studio films, as well as portrayed memorable characters in popular Network TV shows like Sons of Anarchy and Private Practice. Most recently, Marisa has worked with Oscar-winning Director Bill Condon in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Pt. 2.
Her artistic endeavors in the realms of music, photography, and production have led to a myriad of opportunities both at home and abroad. Marisa has performed as a professional vocalist in both the Unites States and Mexico, as well as been commissioned as a professional photographer in LA, New York, and Europe.
Marisa's dedication to creating opportunities for artistic expression in Film, Television, and New Media inspired her to establish Monarch Media Productions, an organization committed to generating innovative content which challenges stereotypes and promotes diversity. Monarch Media Production's first major project, Sweet Mary & Jane, allowed Marisa the collaborative experience of co-producing, co-creating and co-starring in this edgy, female comedic film.North American- Actor
- Producer
Actor, Director, and Producer Román Zaragoza has quickly become "one to watch" in the entertainment industry, bringing diverse stories to life on stage and screen.
On the film front, Zaragoza produced the short film "This Is Their Land," which takes place during the Modoc War of 1872-73 and follows the Modoc Civic Leader, Captain Jack, as he negotiates for peace in his homeland against the U.S. army, and the sacrifices he is forced to make for the sake of his people. As a director, Zaragoza co-directed a music video entitled "Change Your Name" for artist Raye Zaragoza, one of his two sisters, which was inspired by their mother's life and experiences of the immigration process.
Zaragoza identifies as mixed race, being of Akimel O'odham and Mexican descent on his father's side and Japanese and Taiwanese descent on his mother's side. His father, acclaimed actor Gregory Zaragoza and mother, college business professor Shirley, supported Zaragoza's love of theatre, film, and television from a very young age, with one of his earliest childhood memories spending time backstage watching his father star in the 1999 Broadway revival of "Annie Get Your Gun" alongside the legendary Bernadette Peters. Zaragoza's family moved to Hell's Kitchen when he was 9, where he would take the subway to school and pass by all of the major Broadway shows, which had a huge influence on his future career. When Zaragoza was 11, his family moved to southern California where he would continue taking acting and improvisation, dance, and singing lessons. When Zaragoza was 15 he started working with Native Voices at the Autry, the Equity Native American Theatre company. It was there that he met his mentor, Randy Reinholz, who made an influential impact on Zaragoza's life as well his show "Off the Rails" at Native Voices which was later selected to go to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
Zaragoza attended California State University Northridge where he graduated with a degree in Film Production. He is a proud member of CSUN's American Indian Student Association and continues his involvement post-graduation. While in college, he took time to go work with the prestigious Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF - 2017, 2018, 2019) where he was able to further hone his craft. Zaragoza notes that his time working with the company aided in discovering more about his identity, specifically his racial identity. Upon graduation and finishing his time with OSF, Zaragoza landed his biggest role, co-starring on CBS' "Ghosts." Additional credits for Zaragoza include appearing on ABC's "Stumptown" (where he worked alongside his dad for the first time professionally), "Those Who Can't," and "Austin & Ally."
When he isn't on set, Zaragoza works on his poetry and essay skills. Like his character in "Ghosts", he is a passionate storyteller. He also enjoys rock climbing, has trained in martial arts and boxing, and played soccer since he was little. Zaragoza has supported a handful of charitable organizations over the years, including: Seeding Sovereignity, Black Lives Matter, Return to the Heart Foundation, and IllumiNative; an initiative created and led by Native Americans to challenge the negative narrative that surrounds their communities and to ensure accurate and authentic portrayals are present in pop culture and the media.- Stefan Kalipha was born in 1940 in Trinidad, British West Indies [now Trinidad and Tobago]. He is an actor, known for For Your Eyes Only (1981), The Nativity Story (2006) and Ali G Indahouse (2002).Trinidad & Tobago
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Adam Beach was born in Ashern, Manitoba, the son of Sally and Dennis Beach, and was raised on the Dog Creek First Nations Reserve, with his two brothers. A troubled childhood saw his mother killed by a drunk driver, and his alcoholic father drowned only weeks afterward. The three brothers went to live with their grandmother and then with their uncle and aunt in Winnipeg, where Adam joined drama classes and began acting in local theatre productions.
Since then he has appeared in over 60 films and television programs. His performance in the Academy Award-nominated Clint Eastwood-directed Flags of Our Fathers (2006) was phenomenal. He played Ira Hayes, a Pima Native American who was one of the six US Marines to raise the American flag on Iwo Jima and who found the resulting fame hard to handle, subsequently giving way to alcoholism. This alone would have been an emotional role for Adam to play; however, during filming, both his grandmother and best friend passed away. His role as Hayes is both realistic and heartbreaking, earning him two Best Supporting Actor Award Nominations. He stands out well above the rest of the cast.
Adam has been further nominated for three Awards for his role in Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (2007) including a Golden Globe. He has put in terrific performances in the comedy film Joe Dirt (2001) and the John Woo World War II war epic Windtalkers (2002) in which he co-starred with Nicolas Cage.
He headlined the cast in the Walt Disney production Squanto: A Warrior's Tale (1994), featured in John Singleton's Four Brothers (2005) and starred with Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig in the science fiction-western smash hit Cowboys & Aliens (2011). He had a starring recurring role in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) and Big Love (2006).
In 2016, he played Christopher Weiss / Slipknot in the supervillain film Suicide Squad (2016).
Adam hopes to be appointed leader of his Lake Manitoba First Nation.Canadians- Vincent Whipple is known for Windtalkers (2002) and Unseen Evil (2001).
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Shannon Baker, an Indigenous Actor from the Stellat'en First Nation reserve is Dakelh Dene. Shannon was raised by her Grandmother on her reserve in Northern B.C., Canada. Shannon is an actor, producer, writer and TV host. Shannon's television experiences include TV shows such as: "CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION", ""BLUE MOUNTAIN STATE", "BONES OF CROWS" and "SMALLVILLE".Stellat'en First Nation reserve is Dakelh Dene Canadian- Actress
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- Julia Jones is one of the entertainment industry's brightest talents.
Julia stars in a leading role on Dexter: New Blood, Showtime's record-shattering, most watched series to date. She can also be seen in Peacock's comedy series Rutherford Falls, Disney+'s hit series The Mandalorian, and HBO's critically acclaimed drama Westworld.
Jones played the pivotal role of 'Wilma' in Taylor Sheridan's critically acclaimed neo-Western, Wind River, opposite Jeremy Renner. The film premiered at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival and won the Cannes Film Festival Un Certain Regard-Best Director award. Other film credits include Lionsgate's Cold Pursuit alongside Liam Neeson and Laura Dern; Quentin Tarantino Presents' Hell Ride; Jonah Hex opposite Josh Brolin; Winter in the Blood; and Netflix's The Ridiculous Six, to name a few. She also portrayed 'Leah Clearwater' in the hugely popular The Twilight Saga franchise.
Jones' television credits include Amazon's legal drama, Goliath, and recurring roles as "Gabriella Langton" on the Netflix series Longmire and "Dr. Kaya Montoya" on NBC's long-running series, ER.
On stage, Jones played "Dacotah" in the Culture Clash play Palestine, New Mexico at The Mark Taper Forum.
A native of Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, Julia began working in commercials and community theatre at a young age. She also performed regularly in Boston Ballet's production of The Nutcracker. After high school, Jones moved to New York to attend Columbia University, where she graduated with a degree in English. While in college, she began modeling internationally appearing in ads for such companies as Levi's, Esprit, and Polo Ralph Lauren. She is on the board of Colt Coeur, a Brooklyn based theater company.
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Carolina Hoyos began as a childhood concert pianist before spending 3 seasons on MTV Hits (2002). She plays Antonella in Nicolas Winding Refn series Too Old to Die Young (2019), and made cameos in Under the Silver Lake (2018), Gene Simmons: Family Jewels (2006) and Pharrell Williams 's music video for Oscar Nominated song "Happy". She has shared the stage with Edward Van Halen, Ryan Adams, and members of Guns N' Roses. She is a current fellow in La Skins Fest 2019 Native American TV Writers Lab and she performs regularly with comedy troupes Dad Jeans and Nightpantz.- Actress
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Mary Galloway was born on 11 September 1993 in Comox, British Columbia, Canada. She is an actress and director, known for Supernatural (2005), Querencia (2021) and Never Steady, Never Still (2017).- Actress
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Grace Dove is an Indigenous Actress and Director who has embraced a responsibility to lift up her audience and her community. In 2015 she co-starred with Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy in the Oscar-winning film The Revenant. Other recent film credits include the Netflix thriller How It Ends (2018), where she starred alongside Academy Award winning actor Forest Whitaker and Theo James. In 2020 she appeared in her first leading role in the feature film adaptation of Eden Robinson's novel Monkey Beach. Her past television credits include a series lead beside Hilary Swank on ABC Alaska Daily, Syfy series Resident Alien and the Netflix series The Order. In 2020 Dove made her directorial debut with the poignantly beautiful and visually stunning short film Kiri and The Girl, which is currently streaming on Apple TV. The well-received short screened at St. John's International Women's Festival, American Indian Film Festival SF, San Diego International Film Festival and Victoria Film Festival after debuting at the Vancouver International Film Fest. Dove recently wrapped filming the five-part limited series Bones of Crows, where she stars as Cree Matriarch "Aline Spears". Bones of Crows tells the story of Spears' childhood as she survives Canada's residential school system to continue her family's generational fight in the face of systemic starvation, racism, and sexual abuse. She uses her uncanny ability to understand and translate codes into working for a special division of the Canadian Air Force as a Cree code talker in World War II. The story unfolds over 100 years with a cumulative force that propels us into the future.- Actress
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Lupe Ontiveros was born on 17 September 1942 in El Paso, Texas, USA. She was an actress and producer, known for As Good as It Gets (1997), Selena (1997) and Chuck & Buck (2000). She was married to Elias P. Ontiveros. She died on 26 July 2012 in Whittier, California, USA.Mexican Aztec- Actress
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Jennice Ontiveros is known for Chasing Flavor (2024), MasterClass: Talking Shop (2022) and Below Deck (2013).- Actor
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Fast-talking and feisty-looking John Leguizamo has continued to impress movie audiences with his versatility: he can play sensitive and naïve young men, such as Johnny in Hangin' with the Homeboys (1991); cold-blooded killers like Benny Blanco in Carlito's Way (1993); a heroic Army Green Beret, stopping aerial terrorists in Executive Decision (1996); and drag queen Chi-Chi Rodriguez in To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995). Arguably, not since ill-fated actor and comedian Freddie Prinze starred in the smash TV series Chico and the Man (1974) had a youthful Latino personality had such a powerful impact on critics and fans alike.
John Alberto Leguizamo Peláez was born July 22, 1960, in Bogotá, Colombia, to Luz Marina Peláez and Alberto Rudolfo Leguizamo. He was a child when his family emigrated to the United States. He was raised in Queens, New York, attended New York University and studied under legendary acting coach Lee Strasberg for only one day before Strasberg passed away. The extroverted Leguizamo started working the comedy club circuit in New York and first appeared in front of the cameras in an episode of Miami Vice (1984). His first film appearance was a small part in Mixed Blood (1984), and he had minor roles in Casualties of War (1989) and Die Hard 2 (1990) before playing a liquor store thief who shoots Harrison Ford in Regarding Henry (1991). His career really started to soar after his first-rate performance in the independent film Hangin' with the Homeboys (1991) as a nervous young teenager from the Bronx out for a night in brightly lit Manhattan with his buddies, facing the career choice of staying in a supermarket or heading off to college and finding out that the girl he loves from afar isn't quite what he thought she was.
The year 1991 was also memorable for other reasons, as he hit the stage with his show John Leguizamo: Mambo Mouth (1991), in which he portrayed seven different Latino characters. The witty and incisive show was a smash hit and won the Obie and Outer Circle Critics Award, and later was filmed for HBO, where it picked up a CableACE Award. He returned to the stage two years later with another satirical production poking fun at Latino stereotypes titled John Leguizamo: Spic-O-Rama (1993). It played in Chicago and New York, and won the Drama Desk Award and four CableACE Awards.
In 1995 he created and starred in the short-lived TV series House of Buggin' (1995), an all-Latino-cast comedy variety show featuring hilarious sketches and comedic routines. The show scored two Emmy nominations and received positive reviews from critics, but it was canceled after only one season. The gifted Leguizamo was still keeping busy in films, with key appearances in Super Mario Bros. (1993), Romeo + Juliet (1996) and Spawn (1997). In 1998 he made his Broadway debut in John Leguizamo: Freak (1998), a "demi-semi-quasi-pseudo-autobiographical" one-man show, which was filmed for HBO by Spike Lee.
Utilizing his distinctive vocal talents, he next voiced a pesky rat in Doctor Dolittle (1998) before appearing in the dynamic Spike Lee-directed Summer of Sam (1999) as a guilt-ridden womanizer, as the Genie of The Lamp in the exciting Arabian Nights (2000) and as Henri DE Toulouse Lautrec in the visually spectacular Moulin Rouge! (2001). He also voiced Sid in the animated Ice Age (2002), co-starred alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in Collateral Damage (2002) and directed and starred in the boxing film Undefeated (2003). Subsequently, Leguizamo starred in the remake of the John Carpenter hit Assault on Precinct 13 (2005) and George A. Romero's long-awaited fourth "Dead" film, Land of the Dead (2005).
There can be no doubt that the remarkably talented Leguizamo has been a breakthrough performer for the Latino community in mainstream Hollywood, in much the same way that Sidney Poitier crashed through celluloid barriers for African-Americans in the early 1960s. Among his many strengths lies his ability to not take his ethnic background too seriously but also to take pride in his Latino heritage. He has opened many doors for his countrymen. A masterly and accomplished performer, movie audiences await Leguizamo's next exciting performance.Columbian- Actress
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Brittany LeBorgne is a Montreal-based actor from the Mohawk community of Kahnawake. She is best known for her role as Zoe on the award-winning APTN series, Mohawk Girls, for which she received a nomination for Best Actress in a Comedy Series at the 2016 Canadian Screen Awards. She has also appeared on The Bold Type (Freeform), and will appear in the upcoming feature film, Rustic Oracle. When she's not in front of the camera, Brittany is behind the scenes as a director, for APTN's documentary series' Dream Big and Working It Out Together III, and CBC's digital documentary series, Thunderblanket. She also works as a production coordinator, most recently on APTN's Indians + Aliens II, and the upcoming Dreamcatcher Bios.Canadian- Actor
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Gil Birmingham is an American actor of Comanche ancestry, best known for his portrayal of Billy Black in the The Twilight Saga film series. Birmingham was born in San Antonio, Texas. His family moved frequently during his childhood, due to his father's career in the military. He learned to play the guitar at an early age and considers music his "first love". After obtaining a Bachelor of Science from the University of Southern California, he worked as a petrochemical engineer before becoming an actor. In the early 1980s, a talent scout spotted Birmingham at a local gym, where he had been bodybuilding and entering bodybuilding contests. This led to his first acting experience, in a music video for Diana Ross, for her 1982 hit song "Muscles". After appearing in Ross' music video, Birmingham began to pursue acting as his primary career. He studied acting with Larry Moss and Charles Conrad. In 1986, Birmingham made his television debut on an episode of the series Riptide. By 2002, he had a recurring role as the character Oz in the medical drama Body & Soul, starring Peter Strauss. In 2005, he was cast as the older Dogstar in the Steven Spielberg six-part miniseries Into the West. He recently played a Texas ranger a ranger, in Hell or High Water, opposite Jeff Bridges.Canadian- Actor
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Jimmy L. Smits is an American actor. He is best known for playing attorney Victor Sifuentes on the 1980s-1990s legal drama L.A. Law, NYPD Detective Bobby Simone on the 1990s-2000s police drama NYPD Blue, Matt Santos on the political drama The West Wing, and for appearing in Switch (1991), My Family (1995), and as ADA Miguel Prado in Dexter. He also appeared as Bail Organa in Star Wars. From 2012 to 2014, he joined the main cast of Sons of Anarchy as Nero Padilla. Smits also portrayed Elijah Strait in the NBC drama series Bluff City Law.Surinase and Puerto Rico- Actress
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Dania is a Latin American actress born in the Dominican Republic. She grew up, living with her grandmother, in a poor household. Her parents left for the United States, when she was 6-months old, and she finally joined them in New York when she was age 10.
She knew from a young age that she wanted to act. She was discovered by a model scout and cast in a soda commercial. She attended the Actor's workshop in New York City and moved to Los Angeles to pursue her acting career.
Her first job was Jay-Z's girlfriend in his music video, Streets Is Watching (1998). She went on to appear in high profile TV shows The Sopranos (1999), Entourage (2004) and Heroes (2006). She has also appeared in films and, in 2012, she was cast in American Reunion (2012). She is currently starring on Lifetime's Devious Maids (2013) as 'Rosie Falta'.Dominican Republic Spanish side of the island- Actor
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In the late 1960s, Henry Darrow was THE ultimate Latin heartthrob on television. With a smooth, ingratiating style and a killer smile that brightened up the small screen, he also hit a cultural acting landmark as the first Hispanic actor to portray Zorro on television.
He was born Enrique Tomás Delgado in New York City, on September 15, 1933, the first son of Puerto Rican parents Enrique St. and Gloria Delgado. He made his debut at age 8 in a school play, which piqued his interest. The father moved his family (which included younger brother Dennis) back to his homeland out of prospective business concerns. While there Henry was elected president of his class at high school and attended the University of Rio Piedras as a political science and theater major. His fluency in two languages helped earn him supplementary income as an interpreter.
Henry returned to the United States on scholarships received from the Little Theater of Puerto Rico and the University of Puerto Rico, and eventually received his Bachelor of Arts degree. He initially trained at the Pasadena Playhouse (1954), in the Los Angeles area, where he met and later married first wife, Lucy, an aspiring actress. They went on to have two children, Denise (Dee-Dee) and Tom. He began seeking employment in movies and television, making his big screen debut unbilled in the light comedy Holiday for Lovers (1959).
However, Henry found steadier work on television and appeared in a number rugged series, primarily westerns, including Wagon Train (1957), Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1964), Bonanza (1959), Gunsmoke (1955) and Daniel Boone (1964). On stage, he continued to hone his craft in such plays as "The Alchemist" (1963) and "Dark of the Moon" (1966). While appearing in the 1965 stage production of "The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit" at the Coronet Theatre in Los Angeles, the by-now television veteran was spotted by producer David Dortort. Dortort later remembered Henry (who was then going by the name Henry Delgado) and thought him perfect for his upcoming western series The High Chaparral (1967).
Billed now as Henry Darrow, the actor stole women's hearts and much of the proceedings as the roguish ladies' man Manolito Montoya, who would rather make love than war. He reached his television peak in the western program, which also starred Leif Erickson, Cameron Mitchell and Linda Cristal, who played his sister. The series ran for four seasons.
Following this peak, Henry went on to earn a daytime Emmy for his role on Santa Barbara (1984) after joining the cast in 1989. Although he never found a strong footing in movies, his better supporting work has been seen in Badge 373 (1973) and Walk Proud (1979). television movies have included Night Games (1974), Aloha Means Goodbye (1974), Centennial (1978) and Attica (1980). As for his enduring relationship with the famous Zorro character, Darrow was not only the first Latino Zorro on television, but also provided the title voice for two 1980s animated series. In the early 1990s, Henry replaced Efrem Zimbalist Jr. as Zorro's father in yet another cable reincarnation of the series. This series was shot in Spain.
Henry continued to perform on the stage with opportunities ranging from the role Iago in "Othello" to a (still-running) one-man show entitled "That Certain Cervantes", which made its premiere in 2001. A founder of "Nosotros", an organization that gears Hispanic actors toward non-stereotyped roles, Darrow was the inaugural winner of the Ricardo Montalban/Nosotros Award for his contributions to improving the image of Latinos.
Millennium credits included elderly roles in the movies Runaway Jury (2003), Angels with Angles (2005), Primo (2008) and Soda Springs (2012). On television, Henry enjoyed a recurring role on The Bold and the Beautiful (1987) in 2001, while also guest starring on such series as Family Law (1999), The Lot (1999), Diagnosis Murder (1993), The Brothers Garcia (2000), Just Shoot Me! (1997) and One Tree Hill (2003).
In 1972, Darrow co-founded the Screen Actors Guild Ethnic Minority Committee with actors Ricardo Montalban, Carmen Zapata and Edith Diaz. Until his death on March 14, 2021, he resided in Wilmington, North Carolina with his second wife of many years, Lauren Levinson (aka Lauren Levian). She is an actress/screenwriter/producer who guest starred on her husband's "Zorro" series.Puerto Rican- A Native American actor of the Creek Nation, Sampson's "big break" came from his memorable role in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) opposite Jack Nicholson. He was also starred opposite Clint Eastwood in the western The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976). He had supporting roles in Orca (1977), The White Buffalo (1977) and Fish Hawk (1979). In 1986, he co-starred in Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986) as a Native American shaman. He died of complications from kidney failure and malnutrition during heart and lung replacement surgery in 1987 and was buried on the reservation where he grew up.U.S.A North American
- Joaquin Martinez considers himself the luckiest man alive. A painfully shy medical student at Mexico City's University, he was forced by a teacher to join the school's drama group to get rid of his "inadequacy". There he not only discovered a new world but was rewarded with a scholarship to legendary Seki Sano's Drama Studio. Seki trained him and encouraged him to become a professional actor. After finishing his medical studies he broke into movies and PECIME distinguished him as best newcomer for his performance in Pedro Páramo (1967), the Mexican entry at the Cannes Film Festival. Then legendary Hollywood agent Paul Kohner called. Torn between a medical practice and an acting career, Joaquin decided to try Hollywood for two years before making up his mind. He is still there, and has appeared in such classic films as Jeremiah Johnson (1972), Joe Kidd (1972), Who'll Stop the Rain (1978), Revenge (1990), The Cowboy Way (1994), The Odd Couple II (1998), Die Another Day (2002) and Ulzana's Raid (1972) - where he plays the title role. He has shared the screen with the likes of Paul Newman, Clint Eastwood, Anthony Quinn, Jack Lemmon, Robert Redford, Kevin Costner, Burt Lancaster, Walter Matthau, Jeremy Irons, Kiefer Sutherland, Woody Harrelson and Pierce Brosnan, among others, while behind the camera directors of the stature of Edward Dmytryk, John Sturges, Robert Aldrich, Karel Reisz, Sydney Pollack and Tony Scott have brought him into their productions. Bille August flew him to Europe to play Antonio Banderas' father in The House of the Spirits (1993) and Lee Tamahori brought him back to London to participate in the last James Bond opus, Die Another Day (2002). Joaquin plays The Postman in Castingx (2005), thus becoming the first Mexican actor featured in a Dutch film. Currently, he divides his time among Hollywood, Mexico and Europe in the development of 'Solitario - The Lonely One' - through his own company, Victoria Films International.Mexican
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Aside from being Benjamin Bratt's brother, Peter Bratt is a growing force in his own right. With his critically acclaimed independent first feature film Follow Me Home (1996), he dared to explore race and identity from the multiple and intersecting perspectives of Chicanos, African Americans, and Native Americans. When no major studio would distribute this film, Henri Norris, an African American woman who was an attorney then engaged in malpractice litigation, created New Millennia Films so that Bratt's film and message could reach a significant audience. Bratt was honored for his artistic genius with a 2000 Rockefeller Foundation Film/Video/Multimedia Fellowship, further demonstrating that he is poised to become one of the twenty first century's major filmmakers.Peruvian Benjamin Bratt brother- Actor
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An actor with a powerful physique, booming voice and who has played several "Native American" characters, Sonny Landham first broke into mainstream film with a bit part as a police officer in the subway. He ends up getting tripped when Michael Beck throws the baseball bat at his legs, in Walter Hill's gang film The Warriors (1979), then other minor roles in Southern Comfort (1981) & Poltergeist (1982), before Walter Hill cast him in his first decent role as James Remar's gun happy, criminal partner in the high voltage hit 48 Hrs. (1982). Landham continued to turn up in high testosterone films of the mid 1980s including the action sci-fi film Predator (1987), alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in Lock Up (1989), and being hurled out a window by Carl Weathers in Action Jackson (1988). His career on screen wound down during the 1990s, but he still managed to crop up in several roles taking advantage of his strong physical presence.U.S.A.- Actor
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Alberto Vazquez was born in Spanish Harlem, New York. His parents are from Puerto Rico. Alberto was interested in acting since his childhood. He was a television junkie and would imitate characters from popular TV shows in the sixties. He started studying acting in 1975 with Julie Bovasso (Travolta's mother in Saturday Night Fever), then later with Ernie Martina and Geraldine Barron (from the Actors Studio). He started acting in plays at The Henry Street Settlement, Ensemble Studio Theater And American Theater for Actors. He understudied the role of the Dealer in Cuba and his Teddy Bear with Robert DeNiro, And Burt Young on Broadway's Longacre Theater in 1987. Since then he has performed in over 100 plays, commercial, TV and films.Puerto Rico- Actor
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Juan Fernández was born on 13 December 1956 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He is an actor and producer, known for A Man Apart (2003), The Collector (2009) and Crocodile Dundee II (1988).Dominican Republic- Actor
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Durable Mexican-American actor Pepe Serna has appeared in more than 100 feature films and 300 television shows, but is most recognized for his gritty support performances in a variety of motion pictures, including Scarface (1983) as Al Pacino's ill-fated cocaine partner, as well as the western Silverado (1985) with Kevin Costner, the crime yarn The Rookie (1990) starring Clint Eastwood and Charlie Sheen, and the drama American Me (1992) starring Edward James Olmos. In a career surpassing five decades, Pepe's characters have played on both sides of the law -- from drug peddlers to sheriffs.
He was born (and raised) in Corpus Christi, Texas on July 23, 1944, the son of a naval base interpreter for Latin American pilots and a hairdresser. His desires to become an actor happened early in life, moving to Hollywood in 1969 to finally pursue his dreams. He didn't have to wait long to find steady Latino work on film and TV.
Making an inauspicious debut in the exploitation film The Student Nurses (1970), Pepe found more "A" quality work after being discovered by producer Hal B. Wallis for the coming-of-age film Tim Belcher starring Richard Thomas and Catherine Burns and the western Shoot Out (1971) starring Gregory Peck. Specializing in urban, streetwise roles, he went on to mix a number of popular films (The New Centurions (1972), The Day of the Locust (1975), Car Wash (1976), A Force of One (1979), Walk Proud (1979), Honeysuckle Rose (1980), Inside Moves (1980), Deal of the Century (1983), Red Dawn (1984), Caddyshack II (1988)) with a slew of popular TV crime dramas such as "Mannix," "Police Story," "Adam-12," "The Rookies," "The Rockford Files," "Baretta," "Kojak," "CHiPs," "Barney Miller," "Scarecrow & Mrs. King," "T.J. Hooker," "Simon & Simon," "Hill Street Blues," "Miami Vice," "Cagney & Lacey" and "Diagnosis Murder." He also played the role of Jennifer Lopez's disapproving father in the one-season crime mystery series Second Chances (1993) and it's equally short-lived sequel Hotel Malibu (1994).
In addition to support roles in such millennium films as Picking Up the Pieces (2000), Exposed (2003), The Black Dahlia (2006), Downsizing (2017), Road to Juarez (2013), Green Ghost and the Masters of the Stone (2021), The Margarita Man (2019) and The Planters (2019), as well as the Asian-American movies of writer/director Dave Boyle including Big Dreams Little Tokyo (2006) and White on Rice (2009), Pepe, after a 45-year career, was handed a film lead by Boyle as a sheriff in Man from Reno (2014). He also was given leads in the movies Gino's Wife (2016) and Flavor of Life (2019). As a producer, Pepe's credits include Kill or Be Killed (2015), Aguruphobia (2015), From the Dead (2019) and Going Rogue.
Long married to wife Diane, Pepe is a noted keynote teacher and motivational speaker who tours colleges and universities. His strong sideline as a painter has been met with critical success, having been commissioned quite frequently. His vibrant paintings and one-man stage shows reflect a serious return to his Mexican roots and was the subject of the 2015 short documentary "Life Is Art."Mexican- Actor
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Richard was born in Jacksonville, Florida. His father born in New York City, a career Marine, his mother born in Roanoke, Va. of Scottish and Cherokee Indian descent. He spent the first 18 years of his life as a Marine Corps Dependent. He spent his days with the nuns in parochial school and his nights and weekends with the Corps. He graduated from Mission Viejo High School in 1969 and attended Occidental College 1969-70. Richard joined the army in 1970. He served 3 years with a tour of duty in Vietnam.
After the Army he moved to Los Angeles to begin his acting career. He studied at the Film Actors Workshop at the Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank. His first appearance on TV was the "The Tonight Show" as a Mighty Carson Art Player in 1979. Richard also studied at the Herbert Berghof Studios, New York and the Actors Studio under Eli Wallach in New York.
In 1980 he and 7 Vietnam veteran actors created the play "Tracers", which was the catalysis of his career. Since "Tracers" he has been blessed to work on some great projects, the "War of the Worlds" television series and "Predator" being the most acclaimed. Film roles include "Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam", "Cease Fire", "Witness" and "Night Eyes II".
His television roles include guest starring in "Star Trek: Voyager", "Walker, Texas Ranger", "F.B.I. The Untold Stories", "LA Law", "Babylon 5", "MacGyver", "Trials of Rosie O'Neill", "Miami Vice", "Hill St. Blues", "St. Elsewhere", "Eight Is Enough". He was a series regular in "War of the Worlds" and co-starred in "Dallas". He has appeared in the TV movies, "Weapons of Mass Distraction", "LA Takedown", "To Heal a Nation", "Penalty Phase", "Fire On the Mountain", the mini-series "Ari- The Life of Aristotle Onassis" and "The Gambler III".
As well as film and television Richard has achieved accolades in live theatre. In 1980 "Tracers" received the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Ensemble, 1983 Drama-Logue Award for Best Performance in "Vietnam Trilogy" and in 1985 the New York Theatre World Award for Outstanding New Talent in "Tracers". Other appearances include the "Police Officers Wives", "Santos & Santos" and "Pendleton Blanket".
Richard presently lives in the Los Angeles area and continues to write, work and contribute to the creative world.Cherokee Indian and Scottish descent- Actress
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Elpidia Carrillo was born on 16 August 1961 in Paracuaro, Michoacan, Mexico. She is an actress and producer, known for Predator (1987), Salvador (1986) and Nine Lives (2005).Mexican- Actor
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Rubén Blades was born on 16 July 1948 in Panama City, Panama. He is an actor and composer, known for Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003), Color of Night (1994) and The Counselor (2013). He has been married to Luba Mason since 2006. He was previously married to Lisa Lebenzon.Panama- Mario Ernesto Sánchez is known for Step Up Revolution (2012), Bad Boys (1995) and Miami Vice (2006).Cuban
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Maria Conchita Alonso was born Maria Concepcion Alonso Bustillo on June 29, 1957 in Cienfuegos, Cuba, but raised in Caracas, Venezuela. She was crowned Miss Teenager World in 1971 and later as Miss Distrito Federal became the first runner up in the Miss Venezuela 1975 competition placing later that year in the top seven of the Miss World 1975. She became a popular actress in Latin America, working in ten telenovelas (soap operas) and starred in a quartet of Venezuelan films. She was also a popular singer, and has three Grammy Award nominations.
In 1982, she emigrated to the United States, and made her Hollywood film debut in Paul Mazursky's Moscow on the Hudson (1984), opposite Robin Williams. She also starred in movies such as Touch and Go (1986), Extreme Prejudice (1987), The Running Man (1987), Colors (1988), Vampire's Kiss (1988), Predator 2 (1990) and The House of the Spirits (1993). In 1995, she was playing Aurora/Spider Woman in a Broadway production of "Kiss of the Spider Woman", making her the first South American woman to star on the Great White Way.Cuban- Actress
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One tough cookie who can definitely hold her own next to the boys on film and TV, lovely, dark-haired Rachel Ticotin has stepped up to the plate many times in strong-armed femme roles, playing everything from cops and bodyguards to military corporals.
Born on November 1, 1958, and raised in the Bronx, Rachel is of Puerto Rican, Russian-Jewish descent and learned the fine art of discipline at a young age with ballet training at age 8. She made her first stage appearance at age 10 as a Siamese princess in a production of "The King and I" at NYC's City Center Theatre. At age twelve she joined the Ballet Hispanico of New York and went on to work with such famed choreographers as Alvin Ailey, Geoffrey Holder and Anna Sokolow.
Rachel made her film debut at age 20 in a bit role as a gypsy dancer in the King of the Gypsies (1978) starring Eric Roberts. She gained valuable experience in off-Broadway shows and on the other side of the camera as a production assistant for such films as The Wanderers (1979), Dressed to Kill (1980) and Raging Bull (1980).
Rachel earned her big break after being handed the top female role opposite Paul Newman and Edward Asner in the brutal police film Fort Apache the Bronx (1981). Television became a viable forum with the TV pilot For Love and Honor (1983) as Corporal Grace Pavlik. The pilot introduced her to up-and-coming actor David Caruso. They married later that year. Rachel went on to appear in the short-lived series version of For Love and Honor (1983) without Caruso. Other television projects included assertive roles in Prison Stories: Women on the Inside (1991), Aftershock: Earthquake in New York (1999) and Warden of Red Rock (2001). On the big screen she played tough in Critical Condition (1987), Where the Day Takes You (1992), and Falling Down (1993).
Her best known role is probably the Arnold Schwarzenegger sci-fi blockbuster Total Recall (1990) in which the athletic Rachel has a memorable fisticuffs scene with Sharon Stone. In 1997, Rachel earned an ALMA award for her role as a prison guard in Con Air (1997). Divorced from Caruso after six years in 1989, she later met actor Peter Strauss on the set of the TV movie Thicker Than Blood: The Larry McLinden Story (1994). They married in 1998. In series drama she joined the cast of Ohara (1987) as a U.S. attorney and played detective in the police drama Crime & Punishment (1993).
A proven talent who is as alluring as she is enduring, Rachel's work has included the popular films Something's Gotta Give (2003) starring Jack Nicholson and Oscar-nominated Diane Keaton, Man on Fire (2004) with Denzel Washington, as well as the recent The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005) and its sequel The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (2008). She also was part of the critically acclaimed bi-cultural series American Family (2002).
Although gracing such recent films as horror opus The Eye (2008), the romantic crimer The Burning Plain (2008) and the dramatic thriller América (2011), Rachel has focused on TV as of late with guest roles on the revamped "The Outer Limits," as well as "Lost," "Law & Order: LA," "NCIS: Los Angeles," "Homeland," "Grey's Anatomy" and "The Act."Puerto Rican/Russian- Actress
- Producer
- Additional Crew
Sônia Braga was born June 8, 1950, in Maringá, Paraná State, Brazil, to a seamstress mother and a realtor father. She starred in the film adaptation of Jorge Amado's Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands (1976), in the central role of Dona Flor. She earned American recognition and a Golden Globe nomination for performance in Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985), and was nominated for a second Golden Globe for her performance in Moon Over Parador (1988), where she played the part of Madonna Mendez.Brazilian- Actress
- Producer
- Director
This stunning and resourceful actress has been primarily a film player thus far. Only recently has she been opening herself up more to doing television (the series Gemini Division (2008), which she executive-produced), and animated voice-overs. Dawson's powerhouse talent stands out the most in edgy, urban filming that dates back to 1995 when she was only sixteen.
A rags-to-riches article entitled "Rosario Dawson: From Tenement to Tinseltown" probably says it all. Rosario was born on May 9, 1979 in New York City. Her mother, Isabel Celeste, of Puerto Rican and Afro-Cuban descent, is a singer, and her stepfather, who raised her, Greg Dawson, of Irish descent, is a construction laborer. Her parents, who married when both were teenagers, eventually divorced. Rosario and her younger brother, Clay Dawson, had it hard while growing up, and were cared for by family members, most of whom were poverty-stricken, and some of whom were HIV-positive.
Her career actually started as a child when she made a minor showing on the children's show, Sesame Street (1969). As the story goes, she was "discovered" as an adolescent on her front porch step by two photographers. One of them, Harmony Korine, was an aspiring screenwriter who thought the inexperienced sixteen-year-old was ideal for the controversial cult film Kids (1995), in which she would portray a sexually active adolescent. It took time for Rosario's film career to kick in after that, but by the late 1990s, she had nabbed several independent films. Since then, she has moved into main-stream hits (and misses) and has surprised viewers with her earthy, provocative, uninhibited approach to her roles.
Reflecting New York's tougher, tawdrier side as assorted streetwalkers, homeless mothers, drug addicts, etc., her film highlights have included Light It Up (1999), Edward Burns' Sidewalks of New York (2001), Spike Lee's 25th Hour (2002) and Shattered Glass (2003). For Oliver Stone, she portrayed the duped bride of Colin Farrell's famed B.C. Macedonian warrior, Alexander (2004) (as in "...the Great"), which featured a notoriously violent-tinged nude/sex scene.
Expanding her horizons beyond film, she has always expressed interest in singing. She hooked up with Prince for the re-release of his 1980s hit "1999" and appeared in The Chemical Brothers' video for the song "Out of Control" from the album "Surrender". She is also featured on the Outkast track, "She Lives in My Lap". On stage, she co-starred as Julia in a revival of "Two Gentlemen of Verona" at the Public Theater's "Shakespeare in the Park" and appeared in "The Vagina Monologues".
She lucked into and got to show off her singing chops in the film adaptation of the hit New York musical Rent (2005), when Daphne Rubin-Vega, the original Mimi, became pregnant and was unable to reprise her exotic dancer role. Rosario also appeared as a prostitute in the adaptation of the graphic novel Sin City (2005). Of late, she has turned to producing. One of those, Descent (2007), had her playing a college coed who is brutally attacked and raped by a fellow student. Her more popular ventures have thus far included the role of Valerie Brown in the live-action version of the comic strip Josie and the Pussycats (2001), the Will Smith starrer Men in Black II (2002), Eagle Eye (2008) with Shia LaBeouf and Seven Pounds (2008), again with Smith, in which she offered one of her more tender-hearted performances as a woman with a potentially fatal heart condition.
More recent millennium films opposite some of Hollywood's top leading movie men include the tense actioneer Unstoppable (2010) with Denzel Washington and Chris Pine; the comedy/fantasy Zookeeper (2011) opposite Dalekmania (1995); romantic dramedy 10 Years (2011) with Channing Tatum; crime drama Fire with Fire (2012) with Bruce Willis; romantic comedy Top Five (2014) with Chris Rock; and action adventure Zombieland: Double Tap (2019) with Woody Harrelson. She has also top-lined independent films with her own feisty characters such as the thriller Unforgettable (2017) and the title role in the dramedy Krystal (2017).
Focusing also on TV projects, Rosario has graced such action series/mini-series as Daredevil (2015), Iron Fist (2017) and The Defenders (2017), as well as the comedy Jane the Virgin (2014) and animated cartoon series The Last Kids on Earth (2019).
Off-camera, the still-single Dawson is highly active in political, social and environmental causes and has been involved with such organizations/charities/campaigns as the Lower East Side Girls Club, Global Cool, the O.N.E. Campaign, Oxfam, Amnesty International, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, Control Arms, International Rescue Committee, Voto Latino (which she founded), Conservation International, Doctors Without Borders, National Geographic Society, The Nature Conservancy and Save the Children. In October 2008, she lent her voice to the RESPECT! Campaign, a movement aimed at preventing domestic violence.Puerto Rican and African descent- Actor
- Producer
Award-winning Actor, Producer, Activist, "Actorvist," and Humanitarian Wilson Cruz currently stars as Dr. Hugh Culber on the Award-winning Paramount+ series STAR TREK: DISCOVERY. He appeared on the Netflix series THIRTEEN REASONS WHY and in Hulu's 2020 GLAAD Award- Winning original animated kids' series THE BRAVEST KNIGHT. He is also the Executive Producer of the critically acclaimed docuseries called VISIBLE:OUT ON TELEVISION airing on Apple TV+ that investigates the importance of TV as an intimate medium that has shaped the American conscience, and how the LGBTQ movement has shaped television. Receiving the Emery S. Hetrick Award from the Hetrick- Martin Institute for Outstanding Contributions to LGBTQ Youth, for his role as Rickie Vasquez on the ABC series MY SO CALLED LIFE, Wilson became the first openly Gay actor playing an openly Gay role on series television. Cruz also starred as Angel in the West Coast premiere of the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning musical RENT which earned him both The Ovation and Drama Logue awards before his reprisal of the role on Broadway. Cruz recently accepted GLAAD's 2022 Vito Russo Award and the Make A Difference Award from the Matthew Shepard Foundation. He has also received the Rand Schrader Distinguished Achievement Award from the Los Angeles LGBTQ Center, the Liberty Award from Lambda Legal, the Visibilidad Award from GLAAD, the Fusion Achievement Award from Outfest, the Latino Spirit Award for Achievement in Entertainment and Advocacy from the California Latino Legislative Caucus, the Harvey Milk Equality Award, the Lincoln Aston Public Service Award, Aston-Brooks Award, and the Advocate Award from AdColor. He served as the Director of Entertainment Industry Partnerships and National Spokesperson for GLAAD, currently serves on the board of GLSEN and devotes considerable time supporting other LBGTQ organizations as well. Wilson is a first generation American of Puerto Rican descent. He has helped raise money for political candidates supporting LBGTQ rights. As a speaker, Cruz is called on to rally the troops both internally at national corporations and externally with the world as evidenced of his inclusions on the cable talkers, such as Jonathan Capehart's show on MSNBC and 2022, Pride Stars of Stage and Screen, speaking at NYC Pride in 2018 (2020) and New York Pride (2021).Puerto Rico- Actor
- Writer
- Additional Crew
Graham Greene was born on 22 June 1952 in Six Nations Reserve, Ontario, Canada. He is an actor and writer, known for The Green Mile (1999), Wind River (2017) and Dances with Wolves (1990). He has been married to Hilary Blackmore since 20 December 1990. They have two children.U.S.A.- Actress
- Additional Crew
- Director
Rosie Perez was born in Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York City, to Lydia Perez and Ismael Serrano, a merchant marine. She is of Puerto Rican descent. Rosie attended Grover Cleveland High School in Ridgewood, Queens, New York, and later enrolled at Los Angeles City College in Los Angeles, California. Rosie Perez was in her second year of college, and just about to move back to New York from Los Angeles. Her friends had given her a going-away party. When Spike Lee proposed that she work in his film Do the Right Thing (1989), she accepted. It would be her first major acting role. She went on play the supporting role of Carla Rodrigo in Peter Weir's Fearless (1993), for which she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. (She lost to Anna Paquin for The Piano (1993).)Puerto Rican- Actor
- Producer
Luis Antonio Ramos was born in San German, Puerto Rico. He is an actor and producer, known for Power (2014), Do the Right Thing (1989) and Martin (1992).Puerto Rican- Actor
- Producer
- Soundtrack
Michael Peña was born and raised in Chicago, to Nicolasa, a social worker, and Eleuterio Peña, who worked at a button factory. His parents were originally from Mexico. After graduating from high school, he went to an open casting call for the Peter Bogdanovich feature To Sir, with Love II (1996), and to his surprise, beat out hundreds of other young men for a role. After relocating to Los Angeles Peña quickly booked a succession of roles in features including Star Maps, My Fellow Americans (1996) (opposite Jack Lemmon and James Garner), La Cucaracha (1998) (winner of the Best Picture in the Austin Film Festival), Bellyfruit (1999), and the Disney/Jerry Bruckheimer feature Gone in 60 Seconds (2000). Michael resides in Los Angeles, where he plays bass guitar with his band, plays golf, and boxes for relaxation.Mexican- Actor
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Eddie Velez was born and raised in Manhattan by Puerto Rican parents Ramon Velez and Mercedes Luciano. He graduated from the High School Of Art and Design in 1976 majoring in Advertising Art, however a course in Film Appreciation caught his attention and led him to think about a career in show business.
During a four year stint in the U.S. Air Force, Space Division's Satellite Control Center as the Vice Commander's Administrative Aide from 1978 to 1982, Velez began his theatrical career by joining a theater group on the base with fellow military personnel called The Moffett Players performing for the sailors and airmen stationed at Moffett Field Naval Air Station in Mountain View, California. He portrayed Speed in the The Odd Couple in their inaugural production and his first lead roles as Dracula in Count Dracula and Paul Bratter in Barefoot In The Park.
While in the military, Velez took advantage of being stationed in the theater-rich location of Northern California's Bay Area by branching out into the local theater community. He was cast as The Attendant in Bruce Jay Friedman's Steambath at the Palo Alto Playhouse and as Duke Mantee in Robert E. Sherwood's The Petrified Forest. Both shows were huge critical successes and solidified Velez' passion for acting. Dr. Doyne Mraz, the artistic director from The Los Altos Conservatory Theater, saw Velez in these plays and recruited him to perform at his theater as Nicky Holroyd in Bell, Book and Candle, and Crook-Fingered Jake in The Three Penny Opera.
After Velez' Honorable Discharge from the Air Force as a Sergeant in 1982, he immediately moved to Hollywood and enrolled at the Estelle Harmon Actor's Workshop to further his acting aspirations. Velez' first role in Hollywood was as Xavier in the 1983 smash-hit West Coast Premier production of Lanford Wilson's Balm In Gilead at The Pan Andreas Theater in West Hollywood now known as The Coast Theater. Velez soon followed up with the role of Lenny in the critically-acclaimed World Premiere production of Delirious at the Matrix Theater in Hollywood, both plays winning the Dramalogue Award for Best Ensemble.
Whether in comedy or drama, as a hero or villain, in theatre, film or television, Velez has displayed versatility as an actor throughout his career. His first television role was as a love-struck soldier in the NBC Pilot For Love And Honor in 1983. That same year he was cast in a recurring role as the shortstop Pepe Garcia in Steven Bochco's baseball series Bay City Blues for NBC.
Velez went on to star as a regular in six prime-time television series starting in 1984 with NBC's night-time soap Berrenger's as Julio Morales, an up-and-coming fashion designer opposite Anita Morris and Sam Wannamaker; the CBS sitcom Charlie & Co. with Flip Wilson in 1985; NBC's The A-Team in 1986; the lead role in the CBS sitcom Trial And Error as the rookie attorney John Hernandez opposite Paul Rodriguez in 1988 (this role brought Velez a Golden Eagle Award from the Nosotros Organization and a Cesar Award from the Hispanic Achievement Society); as Officer Frankie Avila in Sonny Grosso's cop rescue drama True Blue for NBC in 1990 where he got to shoot in his beloved New York City, and as reporter Ricardo Sandoval in Live Shot, a satire on local newscasts for UPN during the network's inaugural season.
Velez' other television work include several Movies of the Week, most notably starring as the infamous 'Carlos' in the NBC movie C.A.T. Squad directed by William Friedkin; the Emmy Award-winning NBC mini-series Drug Wars: The Camarena Story where he worked with Treat Williams and a very young Benicio Del Toro for the first time; Bitter Vengeance opposite Virginia Madsen; From The Files Of Joseph Wambaugh: A Jury Of One opposite John Spencer; The Presence for NBC; and as the lead Detectives in Lifetime's By Appointment Only and A Father's Choice for CBS with Peter Strauss and Mary McDonnell.
Velez' numerous television guest-star appearances include Numbers, Charmed, Just Shoot Me, Profiler, Soldier Of Fortune, Gun, Jag, L.A. Firefighters, High Tide, Walker: Texas Ranger, The Commish, Flying Blind, recurring in The Trials Of Rosie O'Neill opposite Sharon Gless, Empty Nest, Midnight Caller, Shannon's Deal, Tour Of Duty, Tracy Takes On... opposite Tracy Ullman, Hill Street Blues, Cagney And Lacey, Murder, She Wrote, and in the daytime soaps Port Charles, General Hospital, Capitol and Days Of Our Lives.
Velez' first feature film role was in 1983 as Napolean Rodriguez, one half of the Rodriguez Brothers in Alex Cox' cult-classic film Repo Man. Years later in 2009, Velez portrayed Judge "Two Strikes" Espinoza in Repo Chick, the long-awaited follow-up to Repo Man. Other film roles include the Playboy photographer in Anna Nicole; the tortured Priest Father Anthony in the horror film Born; Eric Muller, the sadistic drug lord in Albert Pyun's neo-noir crime-drama Bulletface; Reuben Alvarez in Running Woman opposite Teresa Russell; the prize-fighter Julian "Snake" Pedroza in the boxing drama Split Decisions starring Gene Hackman; Detective Ray Ramirez in Under Oath opposite Jack Scalia and James Russo; Detective Morales in A Passion To Kill opposite Scott Bakula; the long-lost love interest, Diego, in the romantic film Beautiful Loser opposite Cynthia Gibb; and as Lobo, the villain in Rooftops, shot in New York's Alphabet City and directed by the legendary Robert Wise.
Proudest career highlights include sharing scenes with Academy Award winner Benicio Del Toro in Steven Soderbergh's Oscar winning film Traffic and in Paramount's action-thriller The Hunted, again directed by William Friedkin; the late great Raul Julia in the powerful and critically acclaimed Romero; Jon Voight in Most Wanted, and with the Wayans brothers in the Revolution Studio comedy hit White Chicks directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans.
Velez also co-produced the highly-rated CBS Television Movie of the Week Scattered Dreams: The Kathryn Messenger Story starring Tyne Daly and Gerald McRaney, and co-wrote, produced and directed The Cross-Up, a comedy short on Amazon Prime Video.Puerto Rican- Nestor Serrano was born on November 5, 1955, in The Bronx, N.Y. He was born to father, Nestor Serrano and mother Regina Rosario who both arrived from Puerto Rico and consequently met in The Bronx. Nestor worked for The Bank of New York for two years as a computer operator from the age of eighteen and quickly became disillusioned with his prospects in that position. Nestor started his acting career almost thirty-five years ago at Queens College, where he was studying computer science. Joining the drama club was his attempt to meet new people - what he found was a lifelong passion for the performing arts. He soon left College and enrolled at the Lee Strasberg Theater in Manhattan. Nestor's early acting work was primarily in the theater, including Broadway. It was just a matter of time before Nestor began working more and more in film and television. His first feature film was in The Money Pit with Tom Hanks. Since that time, Nestor has worked in nearly 35 feature films and countless television productions. A native New Yorker, Nestor moved to Los Angeles in 2010. He lives there with his lovely wife, Debbie, and his daughters Amelia and Lucy.Puerto Rican
- Actress
- Producer
Jessica Camacho is an actress known for her roles on CW's The Flash, HBO's Watchmen, NBC's Taken, and Fox's Sleepy Hollow. She is a series regular on OWN's All Rise, where she plays Emily Lopez, a passionate and determined public defender who is undaunted in her efforts to fight for justice.Puerto Rican/Cuban/African- Actor
- Producer
Nicholas Edward Gonzalez is an American actor. He is best known for playing the roles of Alex Santiago on the Showtime television series Resurrection Blvd. and Dr. Neil Melendez on the ABC television series The Good Doctor. Born in San Antonio, Texas, Gonzalez is conversant in Spanish, having lived in a bilingual household. He attended Central Catholic High School in San Antonio, where he was an accomplished cross-country and track runner, winning the Texas State Championship in the mile and two-mile. After graduating in 1994 and turning down a presidential appointment to West Point, Gonzalez pursued an English degree at Stanford University in California. He spent two terms at Oxford University in England. The following summer, he returned to Europe on a research grant where he studied at Oxford and Trinity College, Dublin to complete his thesis on James Joyce's Ulysses. While at Stanford he had chanced on acting after taking an improvisational theatre elective and began taking part in student theater. He was approached to do a one-man theater piece called Gas by María Irene Fornés. Alma Martinez, an actress and Stanford professor, encouraged him to become a professional actor. Upon graduating from Stanford in 1998 Gonzalez decided to pursue acting and, with Martinez's help, connected with the theatrical movement in San Francisco. He was once encouraged to use his middle name Edward to conceal his ethnicity and go by "Nicholas Edward" but declined to do so.Mexican- Actor
- Music Department
- Composer
Valdes moved to Miami at age 5 from Colombia, then moved again at age 12 to Marietta, Georgia. He studied at the University of Michigan with the actors of the theater group StarKid Productions. In 2011, after graduating, Valdes was devoted entirely to the theater.Between 2009 and 2011, he participated in theatrical productions of High School Musical and The Wedding Singer before starring in the national tour of Jersey Boys.From March 2013 to March 2014, he played the role of Andrej in the musical Once, in which he also performed on piano, guitar, ukulele, bass and percussion. In 2013, the musical was nominated for a Tony Award.In 2014, Valdes made his television debut in the American series Arrow, before appearing in the spin-off series, The Flash, as a series regular in the role of Francisco "Cisco" Ramón, an engineering genius. Cisco is part of the S.T.A.R. Labs team, along with Dr. Harrison Wells and Caitlin Snow, that help Barry Allen with his superpowers.Columbian- Díana Bermudez is a British actor of Indigenous American heritage who moved to London as a child from her native Colombia. Although a shy and academic child, Diana found herself drawn to performing arts and in her early teens enrolled into a weekend drama club which fueled her passion for acting.
Continuing with drama throughout school, Diana studied Drama at Richmond Upon Thames college before a gap year took her touring Italy with an English theatre company. Diana was then enrolled into the prestigious Royal Central School of Speech and Drama with alumni such as Lawrence Olivier, Judi Dench, Vanessa Redgrave, Carrie Fisher, Riz Ahmed, Gael Garcia Bernal, Kit Harrington and Andrew Garfield.
Post-graduation, Diana performed in 5*, sold-out, political play Valiant, which debuted at Edinburgh Fringe and detailed the untold and often hidden stories of women in war.
Diana then went on to forge a career in TV with debut performances in guest lead roles for popular BBC dramas as well as playing roles in Karen Carpenter: Goodbye to Love (ITV), Sylvester Stallone's Rambo 5: The Last Blood, Mindy Kaling's Four Weddings and a Funeral remake on Hulu, and upcoming feature "The Emigrants" directed by Erik Poppe.Columbian - Actress
- Additional Crew
Leah Procito is an American Actress who grew up in Boston Mass , Leah has had a principal role in the Mark Wahlberg feature film "Spenser Confidential" and has had a principal role in a Sam Adams commercial Leah also performed in the theatre production of Sinners , Saints and Serial killers at the Wilbur theatre in Boston Mass . When she is not performing she enjoys roller-skating and playing Tennis with her husband and her daughter.This woman is so secretive she is probably African and native indian mix.- Actress
- Producer
- Writer
Celines Toribio was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. She now lives in Los Angeles, California. Graduated from Lehman College (NYC) with a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communications and a Minor in Theater. A year before getting her degree, Celines worked as a host of several shows for Univision Network and ESPN Deportes. Using these platforms, she showcased powerful and talented men and women through in depth television interviews, radio shows, newspaper & magazine columns. Celines quickly gained not only popularity, but also the respect and love of her community, making her a household name in the Hispanic media world Her talent. She was chosen as one of 50 Most beautiful for People En Español Magazine. In the pursuit of her dream to become an actress, Celinés moved to Los Angeles and studied acting with Arthur Mendoza in LA and Sara Mornell in Atlanta. Soon after, she landed roles alongside the likes of Michelle Rodríguez, Edward James Olmos and Vin Diesel. On the heels of a successful acting career with more than 11 films as an actress, her interest in the film industry only grew, leading her to create Esencia Films, a company dedicated to supporting meaningful and rewarding independent projects. To date, the company has produced and screened award-winning films in Europe, the U.S. and the Caribbean, including The King of Havana, which premiered in Spain and received 3 high ranking recognition in the prestigious 2016 Goya awards.- Actress
- Producer
- Writer
Dru Perez is known for SEAL Team (2017) and ABC Discovers: Los Angeles Talent Showcase (2019).??- Actress
- Art Department
- Producer
Tracy Perez was born in New York City, New York, USA. She is known for East Los High (2013), An Ornament of Faith (2020) and Animal Kingdom (2016).- Actress
Mayra Leal is a Latina cinema artist of Mexican and El Salvadorian descent, born in Houston, Texas. The University of Houston Communications and Mathematics graduate has discovered a passion for film, TV and digital media and is garnering the attention of veteran producers, directors, business leaders, marketing agencies, fashion designers, and a growing loyal fan-base.
She enjoys the business of entertainment, but loves to spend time with her family and friends when not on the set. She currently resides in Malibu.
Mayra has over 32 movie and TV credits to her name and has appeared in several music videos, featured in "Locked Up Abroad in Bangladesh" - National Geographic, "Revolution", "Southland", and "Memphis Beat". She has also been introduced in "Machete" by Director Robert Rodriguez, starred in "Playing House" by Director Tom Vaughn and supported in "Sanitarium" with Robert Englund ("Freddy Kruger") and Lou Diamond Phillips, to name a few. She most recently completed "The Wisdom to Know the Difference" by Director Daniel Baldwin with William Baldwin, Lou Diamond Phillips, Andy Bowles Elle LaMont and Faith Stanek, which resulted in four best pictures with prominent film festivals and two best actor nominations for Mayra.Mexican and El Salvadorian descent- Actress
- Stunts
- Producer
Michelle Jubilee Gonzalez is known for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), A Holiday Boyfriend (2019) and Skeletons in the Closet (2024).??- Priscilla Landham is known for Four Souls of Coyote (2023), Vengeful Heart, Pay in Blood and D. A. Henry's Cover Up (2019).She is a descendant of the Cherokee and Seminole Nations.
Native West Indian - Actor
- Director
Renoly Santiago was born in Lajas, Puerto Rico and he spent his childhood in Union City, New Jersey. Before establishing himself as an accomplished entertainer, Renoly started singing, acting, dancing and writing early on, following his calling while very young; earning a dance scholarship to the Ballet Hispanico and a place at The Professional Children's School in New York. At age 17, he became a lead character and writer on the Emmy-nominated television series 'City Kids'. Renoly made his film debut co-starring in the blockbuster hit 'Dangerous Minds' alongside Michelle Pfeiffer. He plays other major roles in Hollywood films, his credits including 'Hackers' with Angelina Jolie, 'Daylight' with Sylvester Stallone and 'Con Air' with Nicolas Cage and John Malkovich. He also appears in indie films such as 'Punks', 'The Street King' (aka 'King Rikki'), 'Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy' and 'Lavoe: The Untold Story', as Latin music legend Johnny Pacheco. Among his episodic television appearances are guest leads in 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent', 'Touched by an Angel', 'Big Apple' and the one-hour television special, 'Stand-up'. Renoly has appeared in many off-Broadway productions under such notable directors as Liz Swados in Lincoln Centre and later, in workshops with Graciella Danielle in 'Blood Wedding' and Gabriel Barre in the Kander & Ebb musical 'Skin of Our Teeth' with Audra MacDonald and Sara Ramirez. Renoly was nominated for a Drama Desk Award by the press as Outstanding Featured Performer in a Musical in his Broadway debut as leader of the Vampires gang, Tony Hernandez, in Paul Simon's Latin rock-opera 'The Capeman'. He starred alongside Marc Anthony, Ednita Nazario and Ruben Blades. His later writing credits include the book to the musical 'Bring in the Morning... A Wake-Up Call' at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York, starring Lauryn Hill. As a singer, Renoly can be heard as back-up for recording artist India on her album 'Latin Songbird', in duets with Danny Rivera and Marc Anthony amongst others, having performed with many Artists of international renown. He is using his talents in 2011 on community Arts projects in New York; new acting, writing and production ventures across some exciting genres at home and abroad; writing new songs in English and Spanish and recording music in the studio for his debut album.Puerto Rican
Renoly Santiago was born in Lajas, Puerto Rico and he spent his childhood in Union City, New Jersey. Before establishing himself as an accomplished entertainer, Renoly started singing, acting, dancing and writing early on, following his calling while very young; earning a dance scholarship to the Ballet Hispanico and a place at The Professional Children's School in New York. At age 17, he became a lead character and writer on the Emmy-nominated television series 'City Kids'. Renoly made his film debut co-starring in the blockbuster hit 'Dangerous Minds' alongside Michelle Pfeiffer.
Native West Indian- Actress
- Producer
- Director
America Georgine Ferrera (born April 18, 1984) is an American actress. She is known for her leading role as Betty Suarez on the American Broadcasting Company's comedy-drama television series Ugly Betty (2006) . Her acting garnered critical acclaim, and she won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Television Series Musical or Comedy, the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series, and the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.Honduran
America Georgine Ferrera (born April 18, 1984) is an American actress. She is known for her leading role as Betty Suarez on the American Broadcasting Company's comedy-drama television series Ugly Betty (2006).
Her acting garnered critical acclaim, and she won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Television Series Musical or Comedy, the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series, and the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.- Norkys Batista was born on 30 August 1977 in Caracas, Venezuela. She is an actress, known for Las Brujas (2005), 13 segundos (2007) and De todas maneras Rosa (2013). She was previously married to Leonardo Luttinger.Venezuelan
Norkys was born in Caracas, Venezuela adopted by stepfather Luis Batista, a chief of staff of a company, and Migdalis Villarroel Batista, a housewife.
She was raised in a low-income neighborhood in southwestern Caracas together with her 8 siblings. - Actress
- Director
- Producer
Actress Tantoo Cardinal is a Member of the Order of Canada, one of the country's highest civilian honors. The order recognizes Cardinal for her contributions to the growth and development of Aboriginal performing arts in Canada.
Arguably the most widely recognized Native Actress of her generation, Cardinal has appeared in numerous plays, television programs, and films, including Legends of the Fall, Dances With Wolves, Black Robe, Loyalties, Luna, Spirit of the Whale, Unnatural & Accidental, Marie-Anne, Sioux City, Silent Tongue, Mothers & Daughters, and Smoke Signals. Recent work includes the films Eden, Maina, Shouting Secrets and From Above.
Her stirring performance in Loyalties earned her a Genie nomination, American Indian Film Festival Best Actress Award, the People's Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival, plus Best Actress Awards at International Film Festivals in Zimbabwe and Portugal.
Cardinal was recently honored with the 2015 ACTRA Award of Excellence; other honors include Best Actress - Elizabeth Sterling Award in Theatre for All My Relations, and First Americans in the Arts Totem Award for her portrayal of the character Katrina in Widows at the Forum Stage in Los Angeles. She won the American Indian Film Festival's Best Actress Award as well as the first Rudy Martin Award for Outstanding Achievement by a Native American in Film for Where the Rivers Flow North, a Gemini Award for North of 60, and a Leo Award for Blackstone.
Her television credits include recurring roles on the series: Blackstone, The Killing, Arctic Air, Strange Empire, The Guard, North of 60, Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, The Lightening Field, Street Legal, The Campbell's, Gunsmoke, Tom Stone, Myth Quest, Lonesome Dove, and Renegade Press.com. MOW's include Full Flood, The Englishman's Boy, Dreamkeeper and the PBS documentary Nobody's Girls.
For her contributions to the Native Artistic community, Cardinal won the Eagle Spirit Award. She has also been honored with the MacLeans' magazine Honor Roll as Actress of the Year, the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Toronto Women in Film and Television, an International Women in Film Award for her lasting contribution to the arts, and induction to the CBC/Playback Hall of Fame.Native West Indian- JaNae is a Dakota/Crow actress enrolled in the Fort Peck reservation in Montana. The product of an esteemed Dakota/Lakota clinical psychologist mother and prolific Crow stuntman father, JaNae is an avid scuba diver and lane splitting motorcyclist. Before moving out to L.A. JaNae studied acting at UNM with Paul Ford before booking her first union speaking role on the season one finale episode of Longmire in 2012.JaNae is a Dakota/Crow actress enrolled in the Fort Peck reservation in Montana. The product of an esteemed Dakota/Lakota clinical psychologist mother and prolific Crow stuntman father, JaNae is an avid scuba diver and lane splitting motorcyclist.
- Yancey Red Corn is known for Killers of the Flower Moon (2023), Reservation Dogs (2021) and Other Plans.Native West Indian
- Actress
- Producer
- Writer
Born in Toronto, Canada and raised in Jamaica, West Indies, Ingrid discovered acting in high school after she co-wrote and acted in a production about South African apartheid. Her desire to master the craft, took her to The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. Two months out of school she landed and originated the role of Taylor Roxbury-Canon on "All My Children". From there she went on to work with such acclaimed directors as, Woody Allen, Joel Schumacher and Brian DePalma who directed her in her starring role opposite Al Pacino and Sean Penn in "Carlito's Way".
With numerous TV credits and national commercials to her credit, Ingrid continues to hone her love and passion for acting.
Ingrid lives in Los Angeles with her husband and children.Native Jamaican- Actor
- Music Department
His striking menacing face and important presence as the deadly Hector The Toad in the classic Scarface (1983) was remarkable enough for movie viewers to never forget him and his role as the Colombian drug dealer who brutally murdered Tony Montana's associate in the infamous chainsaw scene from Brian De Palma's film. With De Palma, he also appeared as a porn film director in Body Double (1984) and as Rolando in Carlito's Way (1993), which reunites him with Al Pacino. Throughout his career, Al Israel has played from good guys and bad guys, from detectives to gunmen and mob bosses. Among his credits include Marked for Death (1990), Drop Zone (1994), Dangerous Minds (1995) and appearances in series like Miami Vice and The Shield; and also returned to his most famous role providing voice work for the video game Scarface: The World Is Yours. He died in 2011, at age 75, and despite of a somewhat limited resume to his credit he gave us plenty of his great talents as a character actor.Puerto Rican. R.I.E.L.P.- Actress
- Additional Crew
Miriam Colon was born on 20 August 1936 in Ponce, Puerto Rico. She was an actress, known for Scarface (1983), Sabrina (1995) and Goal! The Dream Begins (2005). She was married to Fred Valle, George Paul Edgar and ???. She died on 3 March 2017 in New York City, New York, USA.Puerto Rican. R.I.E.L.P.- Wilnelia Merced was born on 12 October 1959 in Caguas, Puerto Rico. She was previously married to Bruce Forsyth.Miss World 1975 Miss Puerto Rico.
- Actress
- Director
- Writer
Ariana DeBose is an American actress, dancer, and singer. Known for her performances on stage and screen, she has received multiple accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award and a Golden Globe Award. In 2022, Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
DeBose made her television debut competing on the sixth season of So You Think You Can Dance in 2009, where she finished in the top 20. She then made her Broadway debut in Bring It On: The Musical in 2011 and continued her work on Broadway with roles in Motown: The Musical (2013) and Pippin (2014). From 2015 to 2016, she originated the role of The Bullet in Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical Hamilton, and appeared as Jane in A Bronx Tale (2016-2017). In 2018, she was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Donna Summer in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical. In 2022, she hosted the 75th Tony Awards.
DeBose appeared in the Netflix musical film The Prom (2020) and the Apple TV+ musical comedy series Schmigadoon! (2021), before gaining widespread recognition for her role as Anita in Steven Spielberg's musical West Side Story (2021). For her performance, she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, making her the first queer woman of color to receive an Oscar in an acting category.Puerto Rican Native West Indian.- Barbra Perez is known for Scarface (1983).
- Actor
- Director
- Casting Director
Miguel Sandoval was born on 16 November 1951 in Washington, District of Columbia, USA. He is an actor and director, known for Sharp Objects (2018), Clear and Present Danger (1994) and Jurassic Park (1993). He is married to Linda Sandoval. They have one child.- Actress
- Soundtrack
Saundra Santiago is a versatile actress who has worked in television, movies and on the Broadway stage. She holds a BFA from the University of Miami, and an MFA from Southern Methodist University. She is also a member of the Actor's Studio in New York City. She was born and raised in the Bronx.
You can catch Saundra on the many episodics she's starred in such as "Gotham," "True Detective," & the upcoming, "Blue Bloods." She portrayed the recurring role of "Marciela" in the Fox series, "Gang Related." She played Sonia Braga's sister for Hallmark's Movie, "Meddling Mom." Living in Manhattan, she has guest starred on most NYC's based television shows, such as "Person of Interest," "Law and Order," and the short lived, "The Unusuals," & "Cashmere Mafia." She recurred as Karen Gonzales in the first season of the Glenn Close FX hit, "Damages." Her favorite recurring role or roles, for that matter, were playing twin sisters, Jeannie and Joan Cusamano on HBO's monster hit, "The Sopranos." She is most known for her series regular role as Gina Calabrese in the cult show, "Miami Vice" for which she played in for its full 5 seasons. She's performed opposite the great Sidney Poiter, Bill Cosby and Elizabeth Montgomery in several MOWs. She's danced with Al Pacino in "Carlito's Way," mothered Rosario Dawson in "25th Hour," and done many Indies, and shorts. Her latest indie, "The House that Jack Built," was just released in movie theaters, and VOD. Saundra made her Broadway debut in the 1st Tony Award nominated Arthur Miller play, "A View from the Bridge" as Catherine starring opposite Tony LoBianco. She was last seen on Broadway in the Tony Award winning "Nine," starring Antonio Banderas. She continued to perform on Broadway and Off in musicals and plays, including "The Glass Menagerie" as Amanda Wingfield, "The House of Bernarda Alba," the Tony Award nominated musical, "Chronicle of a Death Foretold," "Hello Again," "Spike Heels," (with Kevin Bacon), and even toured the states and Canada with "Evita" as Eva Peron. You can hear Saundra singing on two musical recordings of "The House of Bernarda Alba," and "Nine." She also sang on two of the six Johnny Carson shows she guested on. On daytime, Saundra created the role of "Carmen Santos" on CBS's longest running soap opera, Guiding Light. For her role, Santiago was the 2002 recipient of an Alma Award for Ouststanding Actress in a Daytime Drama and nominated several times. She stepped in the portray Carlotta Vega on ABC's "One Life to Live" in its final years.
You can occasionally catch Saundra singing at the several cabaret clubs in NYC.- Actress
- Producer
Sandra Santiago was born in Sinaloa, Mexico and is a graduate of La Sorbonne University in Paris. She has ignited the screen with superstars such as award-winning actors Brian Cox, Danny Glover and Danny Trejo and you can see her sharing the screen on the Tv Show 911 alongside multiple award winner, Oscar Nominee, Angela Bassett.
Sandra was raised in Mexico. At a young age, she gave family and friends a glimpse of what was to come by showing off her acting and dancing skills when her father brought home Banda Music such as El Recodo and others who he befriends.
During her senior year in high school, she took part in an exchange program at Washington State's Kent Meridian High School. Sandra studied theater where she impressed audiences with her lively portrayal of the Godmother in Disney's Cinderella. Upon graduation, she returned to Mexico to continue her studies, this time in El Centro De Capacitacion De Televisa, home to stars such as Oscar Award Winner Eugenio Derbez, Victoria and Gabriela Rufo, Eduardo Yanez and many others. Santiago's commercial credits include working alongside Danny Glover for the international market as well as a national commercial for retail giant Walmart.
Film credits include The Etruscan Smile with Brian Cox, Pendejo with Danny Trejo, and Without a Country by Rafi Gargis. Tv Show Sangre Negra where she plays Erik Estrada's wife on his major comeback role. Theater credits include Reservoir Bitches a take on the Quentin Tarantino's movie. Santiago also starred and produced the short film Chihuahua Day which shot in Los Angeles and received critical acclaim. Santiago has traveled extensively through Spain, England, France, Denmark, Belgium, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary Italy, Greece, Russia, Japan and Indonesia.
She is fluent in French, Japanese, English and Spanish, which is her first language.
Sandra Santiago lives in Los Angeles, California where she volunteers helping several non-profit organizations focusing on education and drug rehabilitation.