Edward James Olmos
| Edward James Olmos | |
|---|---|
.JPG) Olmos at the Inaugural Opening Ceremonies on 18 January 2009 | |
| Born |
Edward Olmos February 24, 1947 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor, director |
| Years active | 1974–present |
| Spouse(s) |
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Edward James Olmos (born Edward Olmos;[1] February 24, 1947) is an American actor and director. Among his most memorable roles are William Adama in the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica, Lt. Martin Castillo in Miami Vice, teacher Jaime Escalante in Stand and Deliver, patriarch Abraham Quintanilla, Jr. in the film Selena, Detective Gaff in Blade Runner, and narrator El Pachuco in both the stage and film versions of Zoot Suit.
In 1988, Olmos was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for the film Stand and Deliver.
He has also been a longtime pioneer for more diversified roles and images of Hispanics in the U.S. media. His notable direction, production and starring roles for films, made-for-TV movies and TV shows include Wolfen, Triumph of the Spirit, Talent for the Game, American Me, The Burning Season, My Family/Mi Familia, Caught, 12 Angry Men, The Disappearance of Garcia Lorca, Walkout, The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit, American Family, and 2 Guns.
Early life
Olmos was born in Los Angeles, California, where he was raised, the son of Eleanor (née Huizar) and Pedro Olmos, who was a welder and mail carrier.[2] His father was a Mexican immigrant and his mother was Mexican American.[3] He grew up wanting to be a professional baseball player, and became the Golden State batting champion. In his teen years, he turned to rock and roll, and became the lead singer for a band he named Pacific Ocean, so-called because it was to be "the biggest thing on the West Coast."[4]
He graduated from Montebello High School in 1964. While at Montebello High School, he lost a race for Student Body President to future California Democratic Party Chair Art Torres. For several years, Olmos performed at various clubs in and around Los Angeles, and released a record in 1968. At the same time, he attended classes at East Los Angeles College, including courses in acting.[5]
Career
Theater
In the late 1960s and the early 1970s, Olmos branched out from music into acting, appearing in many small productions, until his big break portraying the narrator, called "El Pachuco," in the play Zoot Suit, which dramatized the World War II-era rioting in California brought about by the tensions between Mexican-Americans and local police. (See Zoot Suit Riots.) The play moved to Broadway, and Olmos earned a Tony Award nomination. He subsequently took the role to the filmed version in 1981, and appeared in many other films including Wolfen, Blade Runner and The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez.
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Film and television
In 1980, Olmos was cast in the post-apocalyptic science fiction film (now a Japanese cult classic) Virus (復活の日 Fukkatsu no hi), directed by Kinji Fukasaku and based on a novel written by Sakyo Komatsu. His role required him to play a piano while singing a Spanish ballad during the later part of the film. Although not a box office success, Virus was notable for being the most expensive Japanese film ever made at the time.
From 1984 to 1989, Olmos starred in his biggest role up to that date as the taciturn police Lieutenant Martin Castillo in the television series Miami Vice, opposite Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas. He was awarded a Golden Globe and an Emmy in 1985 for his work in the series. At this time, Olmos also starred in a short training video for the United States Postal Service entitled Was it Worth It?, a video about theft in the workplace. He was contacted about playing the captain of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) on Star Trek: The Next Generation when it was in pre-production in 1986, but he declined.[6]
Returning to film, Olmos became the first American-born Hispanic to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, in Stand and Deliver, for his portrayal of real-life math teacher, Jaime Escalante. He directed and starred in American Me in 1992, and also starred in My Family/Mi Familia, a multigenerational story of a Chicano family. In 1997, he starred alongside Jennifer Lopez in the film Selena. Olmos played Dominican Republic dictator Rafael Leónidas Trujillo in the 2001 movie In the Time of the Butterflies. He also had a recurring role as U.S. Supreme Court Justice Roberto Mendoza in the NBC drama The West Wing. From 2002 to 2004, he starred as a recently widowed father of a Hispanic L.A.-family in the PBS drama American Family: Journey of Dreams.
From 2003 to 2009, he starred as Commander (later Admiral) William Adama in the Sci-Fi Channel's reimagined Battlestar Galactica miniseries, and in the television series that followed. He directed four episodes of the show, Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down (1.9), Taking a Break from All Your Worries (3.13), Escape Velocity (4.4) and Islanded in a Stream of Stars (4.18). He also directed a television movie based upon the show, The Plan. Regarding his work on the show, he told CraveOnline, "I'm very grateful for the work that I've been able to do in my life, but I can honestly tell you, this is the best usage of television I've ever been a part of to date."[7]
In 2006, he co-produced, directed, and played the bit part of Julian Nava in the HBO movie about the 1968 Chicano Blowouts, Walkout. He also appeared in Snoop Dogg's music video "Vato", featuring B-Real from Cypress Hill. In the series finale of the ABC sitcom George Lopez, titled "George Decides to Sta-Local Where It's Familia"; he guest-starred as the plant's new multi-millionaire owner. More recently, he has been a spokesperson for Farmers Insurance Group, starring in their Spanish language commercials.
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Olmos joined the cast of the television series Dexter for its 6th season, as a “brilliant, charismatic professor of religious studies”.[8]
Social activism
Olmos has often been involved in social activism, especially that affecting the U.S. Hispanic community. During the 1992 Rodney King Riots in Los Angeles, when many people left the city, Olmos went out with a broom[9] and worked to get communities cleaned up and rebuilt.[10][11][12] He also attended an Oprah episode relating to the L.A. riots as an audience member. In 1997, Olmos co-founded the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival[13] with Marlene Dermer, George Hernandez and Kirk Whisler. That same year, he co-founded with Kirk Whisler the non-profit organization, Latino Literacy Now, that has produced Latino Book & Festivals[14] around the USA, attended by over 700,000 people.
In 1998, he founded Latino Public Broadcasting and currently serves as its chairman. Latino Public Broadcasting funds public television programming that focuses on issues affecting Hispanics and advocates for diverse perspectives in public television. That same year, he starred in The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit, a comedy that sought to break Hispanic stereotypes and transcend the normal stigmas of most Hispanic-oriented movies. In 1999, Olmos was one of the driving forces that created Americanos: Latino Life in the U.S.1, a book project featuring over 30 award winning photographers, later turned into a Smithsonian traveling exhibition, music CD and HBO special.
He also makes frequent appearances at juvenile halls and detention centers to speak to at-risk teenagers. He has also been an international ambassador for UNICEF. In 2001, he was arrested and spent 20 days in jail for taking part in the Navy-Vieques protests against United States Navy target practice bombings of the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico. On January 5, 2007, he appeared on Puerto Rican television to blame the Puerto Rican and United States governments for not cleaning Vieques after the U.S. Navy stopped using the island for bombing practice.[15]
Olmos narrated the 1999 film Zapatista, a documentary in support of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation, a revolutionary group that has abstained from using their weapons since 1994. He also gave $2,300 to New Mexico governor Bill Richardson for his presidential campaign (the maximum amount for the primaries).[16]
Personal life
From 1979 to 1987, Olmos lived in West New York, New Jersey.[17]
In 1971, Olmos married Katija Keel, the daughter of actor Howard Keel. They had two children, Bodie and Mico, before divorcing in 1992. Olmos also has four adopted children: Daniela, Michael, Brandon, and Tamiko. He married actress Lorraine Bracco in 1994, but she filed for divorce in January 2002 after five years of separation.[4] In the same year, he married Puerto Rican actress Lymari Nadal.
In 1996, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from California State University, Fresno. In 2007, after a seven-year process, he obtained Mexican nationality.[18] Asteroid 5608 Olmos is named in his honor.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Aloha Bobby and Rose | Chicano #1 | |
| 1977 | Alambrista! | Drunk | |
| 1978 | Evening in Byzantium | Angelo | |
| 1979 | Fukkatsu no hi | Capt. Lopez | |
| 1981 | Three Hundred Miles for Stephanie | Art Vela | |
| 1981 | Wolfen | Eddie Holt | |
| 1981 | Zoot Suit | El Pachuco | |
| 1982 | Blade Runner | Gaff | |
| 1983 | The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez | Gregorio Cortez | |
| 1985 | Saving Grace | Ciolino | |
| 1988 | Stand and Deliver | Jaime Escalante | |
| 1989 | The Fortunate Pilgrim | Frank Corbo | |
| 1989 | Triumph of the Spirit | Gypsy | |
| 1991 | Talent for the Game | Virgil Sweet | |
| 1992 | American Me | Montoya Santana | |
| 1993 | Roosters | Gallo Morales | |
| 1994 | Menendez: A Killing in Beverly Hills | Jose Menendez | |
| 1994 | A Million to Juan | Angel | |
| 1994 | The Burning Season | Wilson Pinheiro | |
| 1995 | Mirage | Matteo Juarez | |
| 1995 | My Family | Paco | |
| 1996 | Dead Man's Walk | Capt. Salazar | |
| 1996 | The Limbic Region | Jon Lucca | |
| 1996 | Caught | Joe | |
| 1997 | 12 Angry Men | Juror #11 | |
| 1997 | Selena | Abraham Quintanilla, Jr. | |
| 1997 | The Disappearance of Garcia Lorca | Roberto Lozano | |
| 1997 | Hollywood Confidential | Stan Navarro, Sr. | |
| 1998 | The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit | Vamanos | |
| 1998 | The Taking of Pelham One Two Three | Det. Anthony Piscotti | |
| 1999 | Bonanno: A Godfather's Story | Salvatore Maranzano | |
| 2000 | The Princess & the Barrio Boy | Nestor Garcia | Television film |
| 2000 | The Road to El Dorado | Chief Tannabok | Voice only |
| 2000 | Gossip | Detective Curtis | |
| 2001 | The Judge | Judge Armando | |
| 2001 | In the Time of the Butterflies | Rafael Trujillo | |
| 2002 | Jack and Marilyn | Pasquel | |
| 2005 | Cerca, La | Nino | |
| 2005 | Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind | Mito | English dub; Voice only |
| 2006 | Splinter | Capt. Garcia | |
| 2006 | Walkout | Julian Nava | |
| 2008 | Beverly Hills Chihuahua | Diablo | Voice |
| 2010 | I'm Still Here | Himself | |
| 2011 | The Green Hornet | Michael Axford | |
| 2011 | America | Mr. Irving | |
| 2012 | Filly Brown | Leandro | Producer |
| 2013 | Go for Sisters | Freddy Suarez | |
| 2013 | 2 Guns | Papa Greco | |
| 2014 | Unity | Narrator | Documentary |
| 2014 | The Book of Life | El Chu | Voice |
| 2015 | El Americano: The Movie[19] | Gayo | Voice Producer |
Television
| Year | Series | Role | Episode |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Hawaii 5.0 | Dancer | Ready aim |
| 1977 | Starsky & Hutch | Julio Guiterez | Episode: "The Psychic" |
| 1978 | CHiPs | Henry | Episode: "Flashback" |
| 1982 | Hill Street Blues | Joe Bustamonte | 2 episodes |
| 1984 | Hill Street Blues | Judge Cruz | Episode: "Parting Is Such a Sweet Sorrow" |
| 1984–1990 | Miami Vice | Lt. Martin Castillo | 106 episodes |
| 1990 | The Earth Day Special | Hospital Director | |
| 1995 | The Magic School Bus | Mr. Ramon | Episode: "Going Batty" |
| 1999–2000 | The West Wing | Associate Justice Roberto Mendoza | 2 episodes |
| 2002–2004 | American Family | Jess Gonzalez | 17 episodes |
| 2003–2009 | Battlestar Galactica | William Adama | 73 episodes |
| 2007 | George Lopez | Mr. Vega | Episode: "George Decides to Sta-Local Where It's Familia" |
| 2010 | CSI: NY | Luther Devarro | Episode: "Sangre Por Sangre" |
| 2011 | Dexter | Professor Gellar | 10 episodes |
| 2011 | Eureka | Rudy | Episode: "Do You See What I See?" |
| 2012 | Portlandia | Himself | Episode: "One Moore Episode" |
| 2015 | Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. | Robert Gonzales | Recurring |
Awards and nominations
References
- ↑ According to the State of California. California Birth Index, 1905–1995. Center for Health Statistics, California Department of Health Services, Sacramento, California. Searchable at http://www.familytreelegends.com/records/39461
- ↑ "Edward James Olmos Biography (1946–2010)" filmreference.com, accessed 19 October 2009
- ↑ Velazquez, Gabriela (1 December 2003) "Edward James Olmos: fighting for justice and defying gangsters: on charity boards, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Oscar Nominee" Latino Leaders, accessed 19 October 2009
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Cast:William Adama, scifi.com, accessed 2 December 2006
- ↑ Bethel, Kari Francisco (2002) "Edward James Olmos" pp. 155-159 In Henderson, Ashyia N. (editor) (2002) Contemporary Hispanic Biography, Volume 1 Gale, Detroit, page 156, ISBN 0-7876-6538-X
- ↑ 'Battlestar's' last roundup - LA Times
- ↑ Edward James Olmos: So say we all
- ↑ Edward James Olmos joins "Dexter"
- ↑ The L.A. Riots at 20: Edward James Olmos Remembers 'All-Out War' in Hollywood
- ↑ Street Drama : Actor Edward James Olmos Plays Leading Role in Cleanup Effort
- ↑ Three Calm Voices of the LA Riots: Olmos "Just Started Sweeping"
- ↑ Edward James Olmos
- ↑ Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival
- ↑ Latino Book & Festivals
- ↑ Edward James Olmos speaking on Vieques on YouTube
- ↑ Edward Olmos Donations - Huffington Post
- ↑ Cerbo, Toni-Ann (December 1, 2010). "Edward James Olmos has fond memories of living in West New York while he built stage career". The Jersey Journal. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
Before Edward James Olmos was an award-winning actor, producer and social activist, he was a West New York resident. From 1979 to 1987, Olmos rented an apartment on Boulevard East after departing East L.A., he said.
- ↑ .
- ↑ Hopewell, John (20 May 2014). "‘El Americano 3D’ Kicks Off Pre-Sales at Cannes (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety (magazine). Retrieved 21 May 2014.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Edward James Olmos. |
- Honoured by Muslim Public Affairs Committee (video)
- Edward James Olmos at the Internet Movie Database
- Edward James Olmos at TVGuide.com
- Edwards James Olmos' Television Schedule
- Interview with EJO at PBS
- EJO Speaks at Pennsylvania State University
- Edward James Olmos - the New Father of Science Fiction
- Edward James Olmos interview video at the Archive of American Television
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