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Edward James Olmos (born February 24, 1947) is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Lieutenant Martin "Marty" Castillo in '' Miami Vice'' (1984–1989), '' American Me'' (1992) (which he also directed), William Adama in the reimagined ''
Battlestar Galactica ''Battlestar Galactica'' is an American science fiction media franchise created by Glen A. Larson. The franchise began with the Battlestar Galactica (1978 TV series), original television series in 1978, and was followed by a short-run sequel se ...
'' (2004–2009), Detective Gaff in '' Blade Runner'' (1982) and its sequel ''
Blade Runner 2049 ''Blade Runner 2049'' is a 2017 American neo-noir science fiction film directed by Denis Villeneuve and written by Hampton Fancher and Michael Green. A sequel to the 1982 film ''Blade Runner'', the film stars Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford, w ...
'' (2017) and the voice of Mito in the 2005 English dub of ''
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''. For his performance as high school math teacher Jaime Escalante in ''
Stand and Deliver ''Stand and Deliver'' is a 1988 American drama film directed by Ramón Menéndez, written by Menéndez and Tom Musca, based on the true story of a high school mathematics teacher, Jaime Escalante. For portraying Escalante, Edward James Olmos wa ...
'' (1988), he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor. For his work in ''Miami Vice'', Olmos won the 1985 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, as well as the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film. For his performance in ''Stand and Deliver'', Olmos was nominated for a
Golden Globe Award The Golden Globe Awards are accolades bestowed by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association beginning in January 1944, recognizing excellence in both American and international film and television. Beginning in 2022, there are 105 members of t ...
and the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. He is also known for his roles as folk hero Gregorio Cortez in '' The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez'', patriarch Abraham Quintanilla in the film '' Selena'', Felipe Reyes in ''
Mayans M.C. ''Mayans M.C.'' (also known simply as ''Mayans'') is an American crime drama television series created by Kurt Sutter and Elgin James, that premiered on September 4, 2018, on FX. The show takes place in the same fictional universe as '' Sons of ...
'', narrator El Pachuco in both the stage and
film A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...
versions of ''Zoot Suit'', and the voice of Chicharrón in '' Coco''. Over the course of his career, Olmos has been a pioneer for more diversified roles and images of Latinos in U.S. media. His notable direction, production, and starring roles for films,
made-for-TV movies A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made for ...
, and TV shows include '' Wolfen'', ''
Triumph of the Spirit ''Triumph of the Spirit'' is a 1989 American biographical drama film directed by Robert M. Young and starring Willem Dafoe and Edward James Olmos. The screenplay was inspired by true events, the same as the older Slovak film '' The Boxer and De ...
'', '' Talent for the Game'', '' American Me'', '' The Burning Season'', '' My Family/Mi Familia'', ''
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'', ''
12 Angry Men ''Twelve Angry Men'' is an American courtroom drama written by Reginald Rose concerning the jury of a homicide trial. It was broadcast initially as a television play in 1954. The following year it was adapted for the stage. It was adapted for a ...
'', '' The Disappearance of Garcia Lorca'', '' Walkout'', ''
The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit ''The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit'' is a 1998 American fantasy comedy film directed by Stuart Gordon, written by Ray Bradbury and starring Edward James Olmos, Joe Mantegna, Esai Morales, Clifton Collins Jr. (credited as Clifton Gonzalez Gonzalez), Sid ...
'', ''
American Family The traditional family structure in the United States is considered a family support system involving two married individuals providing care and stability for their biological offspring. However, this two-parent, heterosexual, nuclear family ...
'', and ''
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''.


Early life

Olmos was born and raised in
East Los Angeles East Los Angeles ( es, Este de Los Ángeles), or East L.A., is an unincorporated area in Los Angeles County, California. As of the 2020 census it had a population of 118,786, a drop of 6.1% from 2010, when it was 126,496. For statistical purpo ...
, California, the son of Eleanor (
née A birth name is the name of a person given upon birth. The term may be applied to the surname, the given name, or the entire name. Where births are required to be officially registered, the entire name entered onto a birth certificate or birth re ...
Huizar) and Pedro Olmos, who was a welder and mail carrier. His father was a
Mexican Mexican may refer to: Mexico and its culture *Being related to, from, or connected to the country of Mexico, in North America ** People *** Mexicans, inhabitants of the country Mexico and their descendants *** Mexica, ancient indigenous people ...
immigrant who moved to California in 1945 and his mother was an American of Mexican descent. His parents divorced when he was seven years old, and he was primarily raised by his great-grandparents as his parents worked. He grew up wanting to be a professional baseball player, and at age 13 joined the Los Angeles Dodgers'
farm system In sports, a farm team, farm system, feeder team, feeder club, or nursery club is generally a team or club whose role is to provide experience and training for young players, with an agreement that any successful players can move on to a higher ...
, as a catcher. He left baseball at age 15 to join a rock and roll band, which caused a rift with his father, who was hurt by the decision. He graduated from
Montebello High School Founded in 1909, Montebello High School is a public high school which is part of the Montebello Unified School District, and has an enrollment of approximately 2,600 students in grades 9-12. Its campus is located in Montebello, California, a subur ...
in 1964. While at Montebello High School, he lost a race for Student Body President to future California
Democratic Party Democratic Party most often refers to: *Democratic Party (United States) Democratic Party and similar terms may also refer to: Active parties Africa *Botswana Democratic Party *Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea *Gabonese Democratic Party *Demo ...
Chair
Art Torres Arthur A. Torres (born September 24, 1946) is an American former politician who served as a member of the California State Legislature. He is the vice chair of the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee, the governing Board of the California ...
. In his teen years, he was the lead singer for a band he named Pacific Ocean, so called because it was to be "the biggest thing on the West Coast".Cast:William Adama
, scifi.com, accessed 2 December 2006
For several years, Pacific Ocean performed at various clubs in and around Los Angeles, and released their only record, ''Purgatory'', in 1968. At the same time, he attended classes at
East Los Angeles College East Los Angeles College (ELAC) is a public community college in Monterey Park, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. It is part of the California Community Colleges System and the Los Angeles Community College District. With fourteen communiti ...
, including courses in acting.


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, called the 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''. Olmos has been a frequent guest narrator at
Disney's Candlelight Processional Disney's Candlelight Processional is an annual event held at Disneyland in California and Epcot at Walt Disney World in Florida. The processional is currently performed for two nights only at Disneyland, and throughout the month of December at E ...
at Walt Disney World, narrating the nativity story.


Film and television

In 1980, Olmos was cast in the post-apocalyptic science fiction film '' 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 made at the time. From 1984 to 1989, he 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, for which he was awarded a
Golden Globe The Golden Globe Awards are accolades bestowed by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association beginning in January 1944, recognizing excellence in both American and international film and television. Beginning in 2022, there are 105 members of t ...
and an
Emmy The Emmy Awards, or Emmys, are an extensive range of awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international television industry. A number of annual Emmy Award ceremonies are held throughout the calendar year, each with the ...
in 1985. 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 on '' Star Trek: The Next Generation'' when it was in pre-production in 1986, but declined. Returning to film, Olmos became the first American-born Hispanic to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, in ''
Stand and Deliver ''Stand and Deliver'' is a 1988 American drama film directed by Ramón Menéndez, written by Menéndez and Tom Musca, based on the true story of a high school mathematics teacher, Jaime Escalante. For portraying Escalante, Edward James Olmos wa ...
'', for his portrayal of real-life math teacher Jaime Escalante. He directed and starred in the controversial crime film '' American Me'' in 1992, and also starred in '' My Family/Mi Familia'', a multi-generational story of a Chicano family. He had a slight appearance in the video of the American rock band
Toto Toto may refer to: Arts and entertainment Fictional characters Pets * Toto (Oz), Toto (''Oz''), a dog in the novel and film ''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'' * Toto, in Japanese ''The Cat Returns#Plot, The Cat Returns'' Characters of agency * a ...
, "
I Will Remember "I Will Remember" is a 1995 song performed by Toto from their album '' Tambu''. The song reached number 64 on the UK Singles Chart. Personnel * Steve Lukather – guitars, lead and backing vocals, piano and synthesizer * David Paich – piano, b ...
" (1995), where he can be seen with actor Miguel Ferrer. In 1997, he starred alongside
Jennifer Lopez Jennifer Lynn Affleck (' Lopez; born July 24, 1969), also known as J.Lo, is an American singer, actress and dancer. In 1991, she began appearing as a Fly Girl dancer on the sketch comedy television series ''In Living Color'', where she rema ...
in the film '' Selena''. Olmos played Dominican Republic dictator
Rafael Trujillo Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina ( , ; 24 October 189130 May 1961), nicknamed ''El Jefe'' (, "The Chief" or "The Boss"), was a Dominican dictator who ruled the Dominican Republic from February 1930 until his assassination in May 1961. He ser ...
in the 2001 film ''
In the Time of the Butterflies ''In the Time of the Butterflies'' is a historical fiction novel by Julia Alvarez, relating a fictionalized account of the Mirabal sisters during the time of the Trujillo dictatorship in the Dominican Republic. The book is written in the firs ...
''. He 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 family in the PBS drama '' American Family: Journey of Dreams''. From 2003 to 2009, he starred as Commander William Adama in the Sci-Fi Channel's
reimagined A remake is a film, television series, video game, song or similar form of entertainment that is based upon and retells the story of an earlier production in the same medium—e.g., a "new version of an existing film". A remake tells the ...
''
Battlestar Galactica ''Battlestar Galactica'' is an American science fiction media franchise created by Glen A. Larson. The franchise began with the Battlestar Galactica (1978 TV series), original television series in 1978, and was followed by a short-run sequel se ...
''
miniseries A miniseries or mini-series is a television series that tells a story in a predetermined, limited number of episodes. "Limited series" is another more recent US term which is sometimes used interchangeably. , the popularity of miniseries format h ...
, and in the television series that followed. He directed four episodes of the show, "
Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down "Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down" is the ninth episode of the reimagined '' Battlestar Galactica'' television series. Its script was originally titled "Secrets and Lies". Actor Edward James Olmos, who portrays Commander Adama on the show, directed th ...
" (1.9), "
Taking a Break from All Your Worries "Taking a Break from All Your Worries" is the thirteenth episode of the third season of the science fiction television series, ''Battlestar Galactica.'' The title is a line from the ''Cheers'' theme song, "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" (the wor ...
" (3.13), " Escape Velocity" (4.4), and "
Islanded in a Stream of Stars "Islanded in a Stream of Stars" is the eighteenth episode in the fourth season of the reimagined '' Battlestar Galactica''. It aired on television in the United States and Canada on March 6, 2009. The survivor count shown in the title sequence is 3 ...
" (4.18). He directed a television film based upon the show, '' The Plan''. Regarding his work on the show, he told
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, "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." In 2006, he co-produced, directed, and played the bit part of Julian Nava in the
HBO Home Box Office (HBO) is an American premium television network, which is the flagship property of namesake parent subsidiary Home Box Office, Inc., itself a unit owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. The overall Home Box Office business unit is ba ...
film about the 1968 Chicano Blowouts, '' Walkout''. He appeared in
Snoop Dogg Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. (born October 20, 1971), known professionally as Snoop Dogg (previously Snoop Doggy Dogg and briefly Snoop Lion), is an American rapper. His fame dates back to 1992 when he featured on Dr. Dre's debut solo single, " ...
's music video " Vato". In the series finale of the
ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster ** Disney–ABC Television ...
sitcom '' George Lopez'', titled "George Decides to Sta-Local Where It's Familia"; he guest-starred as the plant's new multi-millionaire owner. He has been a spokesperson for Farmers Insurance Group, starring in their Spanish language commercials. Olmos joined the cast of the television series ''
Dexter Dexter may refer to: Arts and entertainment * Dexter, the main character of the American animated series ''Dexter's Laboratory'' that aired from 1996 to 2003 * Dexter, a fictional character in the British Diary of a Bad Man#Main, web series ''Diar ...
'' for its sixth season, as a "brilliant, charismatic professor of religious studies". Olmos starred in the second season of '' Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'' as Robert Gonzales, the leader of a rival faction of S.H.I.E.L.D., for five episodes.


Music

In 1967, Olmos – as Eddie James (vocals, keyboards) – formed the bluesy psyche rock band that would become ''Pacific Ocean'', who the following year released their self-titled, only LP. In 1972, he contributed backing vocals to the final song on Todd Rundgren's '' Something/Anything?'' album.


Social and political activism

Olmos has often been involved in social activism, especially that affecting the U.S. Hispanic community. During the
1992 Los Angeles riot The 1992 Los Angeles riots, sometimes called the 1992 Los Angeles uprising and the Los Angeles Race Riots, were a series of riots and civil disturbances that occurred in Los Angeles County, California, in April and May 1992. Unrest began in So ...
in Los Angeles, Olmos went out with a broom and worked to get communities cleaned up and rebuilt. He also attended an episode of '' The Oprah Winfrey Show'' relating to the L.A. riots as an audience member. In 1997, he co-founded the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival 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 around the US, attended by over 700,000 people. In 1998, he founded Latino Public Broadcasting and 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 ''The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit'' is a 1998 American fantasy comedy film directed by Stuart Gordon, written by Ray Bradbury and starring Edward James Olmos, Joe Mantegna, Esai Morales, Clifton Collins Jr. (credited as Clifton Gonzalez Gonzalez), Sid ...
''. In 1999, Olmos was one of the driving forces that created ''Americanos: Latino Life in the U.S.,'' a book project featuring over 30 award-winning photographers, later turned into a Smithsonian traveling exhibition, music CD and
HBO Home Box Office (HBO) is an American premium television network, which is the flagship property of namesake parent subsidiary Home Box Office, Inc., itself a unit owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. The overall Home Box Office business unit is ba ...
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 blamed the United States government for not cleaning Vieques after the U.S. Navy stopped using the island for bombing practice. Olmos narrated the 1999 documentary film ''Zapatista'', in support of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation, a revolutionary group that has abstained from using weapons since 1994. He gave $2,300 to
New Mexico governor , insignia = Seal of the Governor of New Mexico.svg , insigniasize = 110px , insigniacaption = Seal of the Governor , image = File:Michelle Lujan Grisham 2021.jpg , imagesize = 200px , alt = , incumbent = Michelle Lujan Grisham , incu ...
Bill Richardson for his presidential campaign (the maximum amount for the primaries). In 2020, he supported Joe Biden for President. Olmos has also vocally supported various animal rights causes over the years. In 2015 Olmos contributed his voice to the Unity (film), which calls for a transformation in humanity's treatment of animals and the natural world. Since 2015, Olmos has been a vegan. He has worked with
PETA Peta or PETA may refer to: Acronym * Pembela Tanah Air, a militia established by the occupying Japanese in Indonesia in 1943 * People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, an American animal rights organization * People Eating Tasty Animals, an ...
on a number of campaigns (such as in radio and TV ads calling for humans to keep their pets indoors during fireworks, and voicing the Coyote in their "Council of Animals" sculpture) and in September 2023 was awarded a Humanitarian Award by the organization. He is a supporter of SENS Research Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to treating and curing diseases of aging by repairing the underlying damage caused by aging. He narrated a series of animations explaining the concept of SENS.


Personal life

From 1979 to 1987, Olmos lived in West New York, New Jersey. In 1971, he married Kaija Keel, the daughter of actor Howard Keel. They had two children, Bodie and Mico, before divorcing in 1992. Olmos has four adopted children: Daniela, Michael, Brandon, and Tamiko. He married actress Lorraine Bracco in 1994. She filed for divorce in January 2002 after five years of separation. Olmos had a long-term relationship with actress
Lymari Nadal Lymari Nadal Torres (born 11 February 1978) is a Puerto Rican actress, film producer and scriptwriter. She has performed in several films including '' American Gangster'' and '' Battlestar Galactica: The Plan.'' In 2011, she also produced he ...
. They married in 2002, and separated in 2013. In 1993, Olmos was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.) degree from Whittier College. 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.
Asteroid An asteroid is a minor planet of the inner Solar System. Sizes and shapes of asteroids vary significantly, ranging from 1-meter rocks to a dwarf planet almost 1000 km in diameter; they are rocky, metallic or icy bodies with no atmosphere. ...
5608 Olmos 56 may refer to: * 56 (number) * one of the years 56 BC, AD 56, 1856, 1956, 2056 * 56.com, a Chinese online video platform * Fiftysix, Arkansas, unincorporated community in United States * Fifty-Six, Arkansas Fifty-Six is a city in Stone Count ...
is named in his honor. In 2022, Olmos was diagnosed with throat cancer and immediately went into chemotherapy for treatment. By the end of the year, the cancer went into remission. This was not made public until May 2023.


Sexual assault accusations

In 1992, a teenage girl accused Olmos of twice touching her in a sexual manner while they watched TV and flirted together. Olmos paid the family a cash settlement of $150,000 in response to the allegations, but denied that they were true. He claimed that the settlement was in fact meant to protect his son, Bodie Olmos, not him. In 1997, a woman accused Olmos of sexually assaulting her in a South Carolina hotel room.


Filmography


Film


Television


Awards and nominations


Music video


References


External links

* * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Olmos, Edward James 1947 births Living people 20th-century American male actors 21st-century American male actors Male actors from Los Angeles American male film actors American male television actors American male voice actors American film directors of Mexican descent American male actors of Mexican descent American television directors Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe (television) winners California State University, Los Angeles alumni California State University, Sacramento alumni Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead winners Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Primetime Emmy Award winners Film directors from California Hispanic and Latino American male actors East Los Angeles College alumni Prisoners and detainees of the United States federal government People from Montebello, California