Posted October 2, 201113 yr Dan "Danny" Trejo (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈtɾexo]; born May 16, 1944), often called "The New Gene Hackman" due to his quality and frequency of work, is an American actor who has appeared in numerous Hollywood films, most notably in roles as an antagonist, or anti-hero. Early life Trejo was born Dan Trejo in Echo Park, California, a community in Los Angeles. He is the son of Alice Rivera and Dan Trejo, a construction worker. He is of Mexican descent. He is a second cousin of filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, though the two were unaware that they were related until the filming of Desperado. Trejo was raised in the Pacoima neighborhood of the San Fernando Valley. As a youth, he roamed the streets around his home area, committing various petty crimes with his uncle and eventually became addicted to heroin. He was arrested numerous times as an adolescent. While on the streets Trejo developed talent as a boxer and considered taking it up as a profession. That ambition was dashed by a lengthy prison sentence. While serving time in San Quentin State Prison he became the California state prison champion in both the lightweight and welterweight divisions. During this time Trejo became a member of a twelve-step program which he credits with his success in overcoming drug addiction. Career While speaking at a recovery meeting in 1985 Trejo met a young man in the movie business. His newfound friend invited him to the set of Runaway Train where Trejo was offered a job as an extra. Edward Bunker, himself a former convict and well-respected crime author who was writing the screenplay for the film, recognized Trejo, with whom he had done time at San Quentin. It was widely misreported that Trejo was actually serving time in the prison while filming took place. Bunker remembered Trejo's boxing skills, and offered him $320 per day to train Eric Roberts, one of the movie's stars, for a boxing scene. Director Andrei Konchalovsky liked Trejo's work and decided to offer him a prominent role in the film. Since then, Trejo has become a prolific actor in both films and television, acting alongside some of Hollywood's most famous actors, including Jean-Claude Van Damme, Johnny Depp, Al Pacino, Nicolas Cage, Charles Bronson, George Clooney, John Malkovich, Robert De Niro, Harrison Ford, Val Kilmer, and Antonio Banderas. Trejo has often appeared in five or more movies per year in various genres. Major releases in which he has acted include Machete (film), Blood in Blood Out, Animal Factory, Bubble Boy, Anaconda, Marked for Death, xXx, Desperado, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Heat, From Dusk till Dawn, Con Air, Six Days Seven Nights, Spy Kids, The Replacement Killers, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Predators, Urban Justice, The Devil's Rejects, Valley of Angels, Delta Farce, Grindhouse, Rob Zombie's Halloween and Snoop Dogg's Hood of Horror. Trejo is known for his very distinctive appearance. In addition to his heavily lined face (usually sporting a long mustache), he has displayed the large tattoo on his chest for many roles (the tattoo depicts a woman wearing a sombrero). He often plays thugs or lowlife characters, although he has also played protagonists in films such as Robert Rodriguez's Spy Kids trilogy, Bubble Boy and a guest appearance on the USA Network series Monk with art imitating life as a convict roommate to Tony Shalhoub's undercover detective. He also appeared in an episode of Desperate Housewives in Season 2, sent by Carlos to help Gabrielle deal with her grief of losing her unborn baby (another good-guy character). He voices the character Enrique, and Octavio's character is based on his appearance on King of the Hill. His role on King of the Hill was referenced in the HBO series Unscripted in which he appears in a quick cameo. He also is featured in an episode of Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! and an episode of Do IT LIVE alongside actors Anna Bennett and Claudia Pickering, shot in Downtown Los Angeles, by the name of Sebring feat. Danny Trejo. Trejo also made guest appearances in the award-winning series Breaking Bad in 2009 and 2010. The award-winning independent film, CHAMPION was released in 2005, documenting Trejo's life. It features Dennis Hopper, Val Kilmer, Steve Buscemi and Robert Rodriguez. Trejo appears as a playable character in Def Jam: Fight for NY, a fighting game to which the actor lent his voice and likeness. He had previously lent his voice to Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories for the character Umberto Robina, who also resembles Trejo. Trejo voiced the character of Rico in Rob Zombie's animated film The Haunted World of El Superbeasto as well as starring alongside Steven Seagal in Urban Justice. He is now portraying the Mexican bartender in the daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless. He also voices Raul the Ghoul in Fallout: New Vegas. Regarding his continued growth as a professional actor, Trejo has stated that he still cannot believe how fortunate he has been. "I'm so blessed. I'm still scared that somebody's going to wake me up and say, 'Hey, we're still in prison. Let's go to chow'". Many of Trejo's characters in Robert Rodriguez movies have been named after knives or sharp instruments: Machete in Spy Kids, Razor Eddie in the From Dusk till Dawn series, Navajas (Spanish for blades) in Desperado, and Cuchillo (Spanish for knife) in Predators. He also plays Machete in a trailer made for Rodriguez's film collaboration with Quentin Tarantino, Grindhouse. In 2010, he starred in a full theatrical version of Machete, based on the character. He has also made cameo appearances in music videos such as, in rapper Tech N9ne's video for the single, "Like Yeah," from his 2008 release Killer, Rehab's 2007 song "Bartender", Jay Chou's short movie-music video "Double Blade" from his 2003 album Ye Hui Mei, and the Jonas Brothers' "Burnin' Up" from their album A Little Bit Longer and in Sepultura video "Attitude" in 1996. He also appeared in the PlayStation Move game The Fight: Lights Out as an instructor for the player's character, and as himself in the second map pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops; Escalation map pack, on the zombie map: Call of the Dead. Personal life Trejo is married to Debbie Shreve. He has three children: Danny Boy (b. 1981), Gilbert (b. 1988), Danielle (b. 1990), who are all from previous relationships. Trejo has said that he is amazed when he walks the streets where he used to commit crimes and children ask him for autographs. He also pointed out that he often chooses to play bad guys to teach younger audiences that bad guys often die or go to prison, and that one should try to live a decent life. Trejo often speaks in front of youth groups and at colleges and encourages young people to avoid making the same mistakes he did while growing up. Partial filmography Year Title Role Notes 1985 Runaway Train Boxer 1987 Penitentiary III See Veer The Hidden Prisoner Death Wish 4: The Crackdown Art Sanella 1988 Bulletproof Sharkey 1989 Kinjite: Forbidden Subjects Prison Inmate Lock Up Chink's Gang Member Bail Out Mean a.k.a. W.B., Blue and the Bean Cage Costello's Bodyguard 1990 Drug Wars: The Camarena Story Gabriel TV mini-series Guns Tong Maniac Cop 2 Prisoner Marked for Death Hector 1991 The Last Hour Spider Mi Vida Loca Frank/Casual Dreamer Whore Tattoo Artist Wedlock Tough Prisoner #1 Femme Fatale Toshi Carnal Crimes Chandra Lonely Hearts Angry Client Baywatch Carlos Urueta TV; episode Point of Attack 1992 Reasonable Doubts Cholo #2 TV; episode The Shadow of Death Nails Las Virgenes bartender TV film Baywatch Chulo TV; episode Masquerade 1993 Sunset Grill Young Mexican Blood in Blood Out Geronimo a.k.a. Bound by Honor Doppelganger Hard Hat Mi Vida Loca Frank 12:01 Prisoner TV film Last Light 2nd Inmate Love, Cheat & Steal Cuban 1994 Criminal Passion Construction Worker Against The Wall Luis TV film 1995 Dead Badge El Tango Bartender The Stranger Hawk Desperado Navajas Fallen Angels Boxer TV; episode Love and Blood Heat Trejo 1996 From Dusk till Dawn Razor Charlie Renegade Freddie TV; episode Hog Calls NYPD Blue Gabriel Mota TV; episode Hollie and the Blowfish Le Jaguar Kumare 1997 Los Locos Manuel Batista Anaconda Poacher Con Air Johnny 23 Trojan War Scarface Dilemma Rudy Salazar 1998 Tracey Takes On... Hispanic Man TV; two episodes Brooklyn South Louis TV; episode Skel in a Cell Walker, Texas Ranger Joe Lopez TV; episode Circle of Life Point Blank Wallace The Replacement Killers Collins Six Days Seven Nights Pierce Champions Max Brito Soundman Duce's Father NYPD Blue Frankie Soto TV; episode Numb & Number 1999 From Dusk till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money Razor Eddie Inferno Johnny Six Toes a.k.a. Desert Heat Walker, Texas Ranger José Rodriguez TV; episode Rise to the Occasion 2000 From Dusk till Dawn 3: The Hangman's Daughter Razor Charlie Animal Factory Vito Reindeer Games Jumpy The X-Files Spider-Man/Cesar Ocampo TV; episode Redrum 2001 Spy Kids Isador "Machete" Cortez Bubble Boy Slim Skippy Hitman 2002 13 Moons Hoodlum #2 The Salton Sea Little Bill Do It for Uncle Manny Pedro The District Danny TV; episode Convictions Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams Isador "Machete" Cortez xXx El Jefe Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Umberto Robina (voice only) video game The Hire: Beat the Devil Bob short film Nightstalker Officer Frank Luis 2003 Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over Machete Once Upon a Time in Mexico Cucuy Kingpin Manny TV mini-series Alias Emilio Vargas TV; episode Countdown The Brothers García Eduardo 'Ed' Garcia TV; episode It Was Fun While It Lasted Double Blade El Patron short film King of the Hill Enrique (voice only) TV; 17 episodes; 2003–2010 2004 Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy Bartender Def Jam: Fight for NY Trejo (voice only) video game Lost Edward James Archer Grounded for Life Raul TV; episode (She's Got) Kegs Monk Spyder Rudner TV; episode Mr. Monk Goes to Jail Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie Bartender 2005 All Souls Day Vargas Diaz a.k.a. All Souls Day: Dia de los Muertos Tennis, Anyone...? Hector The Curse of El Charro El Charro (voice only) George Lopez Bobby TV; episode George's Extreme Makeover: Holmes Edition Chasing Ghosts Carlos Santiago High Hopes Shady formerly Nice Guys Champion. Himself The Devil's Rejects Rondo The Crow: Wicked Prayer Harold A catholic-indian priest, chief of a Puerto-Rican gang. Usually dances naked. Venice Underground Papi Dreaming on Christmas Train Driver Desperate Housewives Hector Ramos TV; episode The Sun Won't Set 2006 Furnace Fury TV: The Movie Crow Propensity Roy Sherrybaby Dean Walker Living the Dream Chuck Danny Roane: First Time Director Hector Heist Ernesto TV; episode How Billy Got His Groove Back Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories Umberto Robina (voice only) video game Hood of Horror Derelict a.k.a. Snoop Dogg's Hood of Horror Seven Mummies Apache Slayer Montegna TV film Haunted Prison Priest 2007 Smiley Face Albert Grindhouse Machete segment: Machete Delta Farce Carlos Santana The Knights of Prosperity Hector TV; episode Operation: Open the Safe Halloween Ismael Cruz Battle for Terra Elder Barum (voice only) The Blue Rose Junk Urban Justice El Chivo Stargate: Atlantis Omal TV; episode Missing On Bloody Sunday The Ref Blood Ties Pacha Kamaq TV; episode Wrapped 2008 Valley of Angels Hector Through the Valley Don Reyes Richard III Major The Art of Travel Limo Driver Jake's Corner Clint Ranchero Capone Toxic Antoine Alone in the Dark II Perry La Linea Mario Necessary Evil Barro The Young and the Restless Bartender TV; 15 episodes 2009 The Grind Nicholi Guzman Fanboys The Chief The Spectacular Spider-Man Ox (voice only) TV; episode "Probable Cause" The Haunted World of El Superbeasto Rico (voice only) Modus Operandi Director Holiday The Boys of Ghost Town Father Eyeborgs G-Man Breaking Bad Tortuga TV; episode Negro Y Azul 2010 The Killing Jar Jimmy Shoot the Hero Crazy Joe Burn Notice Vega TV; episode Friendly Fire Breaking Bad Tortuga TV; episode I.F.T. Shadows in Paradise Matador Boston Girls Uncle Reggie Pastor Shepherd Phil Harrison Saint John of Las Vegas Bismarck The Bill Collector Uncle Frankie Lean Like a Cholo The O.G. Fallout: New Vegas Raul Alfonso Tejada Video game Food Stamps Mr. Fernandez Sebring feat. Danny Trejo Danny Trejo Do IT LIVE webisode, season 1 Dark Games Archie Project x27 Mondo Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! Suspect TV; episode Comedy The Good Guys Mexican Drug Dealer Predators Cuchillo North by El Norte Uncle John Beatdown Marcus Direct-to-DVD Machete Machete Cortez first leading role Justin Time Mardok The Fight: Lights Out As a trainer named Duke Video game Modern Family Gus TV; episode Dance Dance Revelation 2011 Young Justice Bane Voice Death Race 2 Goldberg Direct-to-DVD Call of Duty: Black Ops Himself Video game. In the zombie map Call of the Dead Franklin & Bash "Ultimo" A professional Wrestler TV Series Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World Isador "Machete" Cortez A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas Maria's father forthcoming film Vengeance Jack The Muppets Himself Haunted High School Mortiz upcoming Syfy Channel film Sons of Anarchy Romero Parada TV Series, FX (TV Channel), Season 4 Cultural references Plastilina Mosh, a Mexican alternative rock band, paid tribute to Trejo with their song "Danny Trejo", featured in their album All U Need Is Mosh. Trejo is also featured in the 2004 hip-hop fighting game Def Jam: Fight for NY as a soldier to Crow's side. Crow is voiced by and his looks are captured by Snoop Dogg. Danny Trejo can also be seen in the intro of Greg Hastings Tournament Paintball Max'd ("Play for Real", B-Real & DJ Lethal). He also is featured in the downloadable content pack called Escalation Map Pack in the video game Call of Duty: Black Ops on the map "Call of the Dead" as himself. ITN Clothing In addition to his acting career, Trejo is also the founder of ITN Clothing, which offers hip-hop style T-shirts and accessories.
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