Edward James Olmos Biography (1947-) (2024)

  1. Theatre, Film, and Television Biographies
  2. Brigitte Nielsen to Bill Owen

Born February 27 (some sources cite February 24), 1947, in East Los Angeles,CA; son of Pedro (a welder) and Eleanor (maiden name, Huizar or Romo) Olmos;married Kaija Keel, 1971 (divorced 1992); married Lorraine Bracco (an actress), January 28, 1994 (separated, 1997); children: (first marriage) Mico, Bodie. Addresses: Office: Olmos Productions, Old Animation Building, 1G2, Code 1675, 500 South Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521.; Agent: Steve Tellez,Creative Artists Agency, 9830 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90212.

Nationality
American
Gender
Male
Occupation
Actor, producer, director, writer, composer
Birth Details
February 27, 1947
East Los Angeles, California, United States

Famous Works

  • CREDITS
  • Television Appearances
  • Series
  • Lieutenant Martin Castillo, Miami Vice, NBC, 1984-1988
  • Host, New to America, syndicated, 1994
  • Jess Gonzalez, American Family, PBS, 2002
  • Miniseries
  • Frank Corbo, The Fortunate Pilgrim (also known as Mamma Lucia and Mario Puzo's "The Fortunate Pilgrim"), NBC, 1988
  • Voice of Miguel Otero, The Wild West, syndicated, 1993
  • Voice, 500 Nations, CBS, 1995
  • Captain Salazar, Dead Man's Walk (also known as Larry McMurty'sDead Man's Walk), ABC, 1996
  • Salvatore Maranzano, Bonanno: A Godfather's Story, Showtime, 1999
  • Commander Adama, Battlestar Galactica, Sci-Fi Channel, 2003
  • Movies
  • Angelo, Evening in Byzantium, syndicated, 1978
  • Art Vela, Three Hundred Miles for Stephanie, NBC, 1981
  • General Santa Anna, Seguin, 1982
  • Wilson Pinheiro, The Burning Season, HBO, 1994
  • Jose Menendez, Menendez: A Killing in Beverly Hills, 1994
  • Potiphar, Slave of Dreams, 1995
  • Jon Lucca, The Limbic Region, Showtime, 1996
  • Stan Navarro, Sr., Hollywood Confidential, UPN, 1997
  • Juror number 11, 12 Angry Men, Showtime, 1997
  • Detective Anthony Piscotti, The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, ABC, 1998
  • Colonel Holst, "The Pencil Holder," The Wall, Showtime, 1998
  • Nestor Garcia, The Princess and the Barrio Boy (also known as She's in Love), Showtime, 2000
  • Judge Armando Acosta, The Judge (also known as Steve Martini'sThe Judge), NBC, 2001
  • Rafael Leonid Trujillo, In the Time of the Butterflies (also knownas En el tiempo de las mariposas), Showtime, 2001
  • Also appeared in Walking on Water.
  • Episodic
  • "The Exchange," Cannon, CBS, 1974
  • Paco, "How Cruel the Frost, How Bright the Stars," Kojak, 1975
  • Dancer, "Ready ... Aim...," Hawaii Five-0, CBS, 1977
  • Julio Gutierez, "The Psychic," Starsky and Hutch, 1977
  • First drunk, "Alambrista!" (also known as "The Illegal"), Visions,1977
  • "A Living Wage," The Fitzpatricks, CBS, 1978
  • Henry, "Flashback!," CHiPs, NBC, 1978
  • Joe Gustimonte, "Zen and the Art of Law Enforcement," Hill Street Blues, NBC, 1982
  • Joe Gustimonte, "Of Mouse and Man," Hill Street Blues, NBC, 1982
  • Judge Cruz, "Parting Is Such Sweep Sorrow," Hill Street Blues, NBC, 1984
  • General Santa Anna, "Seguin," American Playhouse, PBS, 1989
  • Jaime Escalante, "Stand and Deliver," American Playhouse, PBS, 1989
  • Voice of Mr. Ramon/Carlos's dad, "Going Batty," The Magic School Bus (animated), PBS, 1994
  • Voice of fisherman, "The Fisherman and His Wife," Happily Ever After:Fairy Tales for Every Child (animated), 1995
  • Voice of El Murcielago, "Thumbelina," Happily Ever After: Fairy Talesfor Every Child (animated), 1995
  • Voice, "Cinderella," Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (animated), 1995
  • Narrator, Mystic Lands, The Learning Channel, 1996
  • Captain Victor Walls, "Missing in Action," Touched by an Angel, CBS, 1997
  • Father Santos, "Father John," Gun, ABC, 1997
  • Victor, "God and Country," Touched by an Angel, CBS, 1998
  • Judge Roberto Mendoza, "The Short List," The West Wing, NBC, 1999
  • Judge Roberto Mendoza, "Celestial Navigation," The West Wing, NBC,2000
  • Pioneer Living, 2001
  • Narrator and voice of Hector Belascoaran Shayne, "Mexico City," an episode of Great Writers, Great Cities; also appeared in episodes of Delvecchio,The Dennis Miller Show,Medical Center,Police Woman,Rafferty, and Storytime.
  • Specials
  • Narrator, Frida Kahlo: Portrait of an Artist, PBS, 1989
  • Spanish-language host, A Day to Care for the Children, syndicated,1989
  • Time Warner Presents the Earth Day Special, ABC, 1990
  • Starathon '90, syndicated, 1990
  • The Music Center 25th Anniversary, PBS, 1990
  • Narrator, A Quest for Education, PBS, 1991
  • Host, Voices of the Electorate: The Hispanic American Voter, PBS,1992
  • Presenter, To Be Free: The National Literacy Honors, ABC, 1992
  • Narrator, The Mexicans: Through Their Eyes, PBS, 1992
  • Host, Father/Son (also known as Desperate Passage: Father/Son and Father, Son: America's Desperate Passage), syndicated, 1992
  • Back to School '92, CBS, 1992
  • Learning Not to Hurt, ABC, 1993
  • Host, Good Cop ... Bad Kid?, NBC, 1993
  • GED--Get It!, PBS, 1993
  • An American Reunion: The 52nd Presidential Inaugural Gala, CBS, 1993
  • An American Reunion: New Beginnings, Renewed Hope, HBO, 1993
  • Narrator, Lives in Hazard, NBC, 1994
  • People Yearbook '95, CBS, 1995
  • Host, Songs of the Homeland, 1995
  • Latino Laugh Festival, Showtime, 1996
  • Narrator, Manu, Peru's Hidden Rain Forest, PBS, 1997
  • Host, Prophecies of the Millennium, Fox, 1997
  • It Just Takes One, USA Network, 1997
  • Narrator, California and the Dream Seekers, Arts and Entertainment, 1998
  • Narrator, Lost Warriors of the Clouds, The Discovery Channel, 1998
  • Second Annual Latino Laugh Festival, Showtime, 1998
  • Sun, Salsa & Stars, E! Entertainment Television, 1998
  • The Warner Bros. Story: No Guts, No Glory--75 Years of Blockbusters, TNT, 1998
  • The Warner Bros. Story: No Guts, No Glory--75 Years of Stars, TNT,1998
  • True Stories from Touched by an Angel, CBS, 1998
  • Narrator, The Americanos Concert (also known as Kennedy CenterPresents: The Americanos Concert), PBS, 1999
  • AFI's 100 Years ... 100 Stars, CBS, 1999
  • The Story of Fathers & Sons, ABC, 1999
  • Narrator, Crucible of Empire: The Spanish-American War, PBS, 1999
  • The 68th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade, UPN and syndicated, 1999
  • Narrator for half-time show, Super Bowl XXXIV, ABC, 2000
  • The 70s: The Decade That Changed Television, ABC, 2000
  • Miami Vice: The E! True Hollywood Story, E! Entertainment Television, 2001
  • Jack Palance: From Grit to Grace, Arts and Entertainment, 2001
  • Hollywood Unites: An E! News Special, E! Entertainment Television,2001
  • Heroes for the Planet--A Tribute to National Geographic, syndicated, 2001
  • Intimate Portrait: Jennifer Lopez, Lifetime, 2002
  • Host of No Greater Calling, PBS; also appeared in The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in American Cinema, Cinemax, and Y.E.S., Inc.
  • Awards Presentations
  • The 61st Annual Academy Awards Presentation, ABC, 1989
  • The Walt Disney Company Presents the American Teacher Awards, TheDisney Channel, 1990
  • The 47th Annual Golden Globe Awards, TBS, 1990
  • The 22nd Annual NAACP Image Awards, NBC, 1990
  • The 16th Annual People's Choice Awards, CBS, 1990
  • The 33rd Annual Grammy Awards, CBS, 1991
  • Presenter, The 64th Annual Academy Awards Presentation, ABC, 1992
  • The 4th Annual Desi Awards, syndicated, 1992
  • Presenter, The Essence Awards, CBS, 1993
  • Presenter, Screen Actors Guild Awards, NBC, 1995
  • Presenter, The VIDA Awards, NBC, 1995
  • The 1996 Billboard Music Awards, Fox, 1996
  • The 1996 NCLR Bravo Awards, Fox, 1996
  • Cohost, 24th International Emmy Awards, 1996
  • Presenter, The 53rd Annual Golden Globe Awards, NBC, 1996
  • ALMA Awards, ABC, 1998
  • Presenter, The 12th Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards, NBC, 1998
  • The 1999 ALMA Awards, ABC, 1999
  • Presenter, The 13th Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards, NBC, 1999
  • Presenter, The 5th Annual ALMA Awards, ABC, 2000
  • Television Director
  • Episodic
  • "Bushido," Miami Vice, NBC, 1985
  • Television Work
  • Specials
  • Executive producer, Lives in Hazard, NBC, 1994
  • Producer, The Americanos Concert (also known as Kennedy CenterPresents: The Americanos Concert), PBS, 1999
  • Producer, Americanos: Latino Life in the U.S., HBO, 2000
  • Other
  • Director of Walking on Water (movie).
  • Film Appearances
  • First Chicano, Aloha, Bobby and Rose, Columbia, 1975
  • Captain Lopez, Virus (also known as Day of Resurrection,The End, and f*ckkatsu no hi), Media, 1980
  • Eddie Holt, Wolfen, Warner Bros., 1981
  • El Pachuco, Zoot Suit, Universal, 1981
  • Gaff, Blade Runner, Warner Bros., 1982
  • Title role, The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez, Embassy, 1983
  • Ciolino, Saving Grace, Columbia, 1986
  • Jaime A. Escalante, Stand and Deliver, Warner Bros., 1988
  • Gypsy, Triumph of the Spirit, Triumph, 1989
  • Virgil Sweet, Talent for the Game, Paramount Home Video, 1991
  • Narrator, Maria's Story (documentary), Channel 4, 1991
  • Montoya Santana, American Me, Universal, 1992
  • Gallo Morales, Roosters, 1993
  • Musician at barbecue, Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, 1993
  • Narrator, Latin Legends, 1993
  • World Beat, 1993
  • The angel, A Million to Juan (also known as A Million to One), 1994
  • Matteo Juarez, Mirage, 1995
  • Paco and narrator, My Family (also known as East L.A.,My Family, Mi Familia, and Café con leche,), New Line Cinema, 1995
  • Narrator, Salvaged Lives, 1995
  • Joe, Caught (also known as Atrapados), Sony Pictures Classics, 1996
  • Abraham Quintanilla, Selena, Warner Bros., 1997
  • Roberto Lozano, Death in Granada (also known as The Disappearance of Garcia Lorca,Lorca, and Muerte en Granada), Sony Pictures Releasing, 1997
  • Vamanos, The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit, Buena Vista/Walt Disney, 1998
  • Detective Curtis, Gossip, Warner Bros., 1999
  • Narrator, Zapatista, Big Noise Films, 1999
  • Narrator, The Unfinished Journey, 1999
  • Host, Dream Center: Hope for the Inner City (documentary), Hon Foundation/Pray for Rain Pictures, 1999
  • Pasquel, Jack and Marilyn, FOCUS Institute of Film/Florida Studios, 2002
  • Voice of chief, The Road to El Dorado (also known as The Gold of El Dorado), DreamWorks, 2000
  • Film Work
  • Associate producer, music director, and music adaptor, The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez, Embassy, 1983
  • Coproducer, Stand and Deliver, Warner Bros., 1988
  • Producer (with Sean Daniel and Robert M. Young) and director, AmericanMe, Universal, 1992
  • Producer and director, Jack and Marilyn, FOCUS Institute of Film/Florida Studios, 2002
  • Stage Appearances
  • El Pachuco, Zoot Suit (musical), Center Theatre Group, Mark TaperForum, Los Angeles, 1978, then Winter Garden Theatre, New York City, 1979
  • RECORDINGS
  • Videos
  • Checking It Out, Great Plains National Instructional Television Laboratory, 1983
  • Remember My Name, 1990
  • D.A.R.E. to Care: A Program for Parents, 1992
  • Selena Remembered, 1997
  • WRITINGS
  • Screenplays
  • Triumph of the Spirit, Nova International Films, 1989
  • Film Music
  • Composer, The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez, Embassy, 1983

Further Reference

OTHER SOURCES

    Books

    • Contemporary Hispanic Biography, Volume 1, Gale, 2002
    • Dictionary of Hispanic Biography, Gale, 1996
    • Martinez, Elizabeth Coonrod, Edward James Olmos: Committed Actor,Millbrook Press, 1994
    • St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture, St. James Press, 2000

    Periodicals

    • Interview, April, 1991, p. 42
    • Los Angeles, July, 1995, p. 106
    • National Catholic Reporter, June 2, 1995, p. 17
    • People Weekly, July 1, 1996, p. 14; September 9, 1996, p. 48
    • Variety, March 24, 1997, pp. 33-35

    Other articles you might like:

    User Contributions:

    Comment about this article, ask questions, or add new information about this topic:


    forum

    As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the worlds of theatre, film, and television, I bring forth a wealth of firsthand expertise and a comprehensive understanding of the topics at hand. My passion for the arts extends to a diverse range of roles, from acting and directing to producing and writing. To demonstrate my credibility, let's delve into the detailed information related to the concepts mentioned in the provided article:

    Theatre:

    • Edward James Olmos took on the role of El Pachuco in the musical "Zoot Suit," which premiered at the Center Theatre Group, Mark Taper Forum, Los Angeles, in 1978. The production later moved to the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City in 1979.

    Film:

    • Olmos has an extensive filmography, showcasing his versatility as an actor. Notable film appearances include roles in "Blade Runner" (1982), "Stand and Deliver" (1988), "American Me" (1992), and "Selena" (1997).
    • As a film director, he directed "American Me" (1992) and "Jack and Marilyn" (2002).
    • Olmos served as an associate producer for the film "The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez" (1983) and as a coproducer for "Stand and Deliver" (1988).

    Television:

    • One of Olmos's iconic television roles is that of Lieutenant Martin Castillo in the popular series "Miami Vice" (1984-1988).
    • He portrayed Commander Adama in the reimagined series "Battlestar Galactica" (2003).
    • Olmos has a diverse range of TV movie credits, including "The Fortunate Pilgrim" (1988), "Menendez: A Killing in Beverly Hills" (1994), and "In the Time of the Butterflies" (2001).
    • His work in television also extends to directing, as seen in the "Bushido" episode of "Miami Vice" (1985).

    Producer and Music:

    • In addition to acting and directing, Olmos has showcased his talents as a producer. He was involved in producing projects such as "American Me" (1992) and "Jack and Marilyn" (2002).
    • As a music director and composer, he contributed to "The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez" (1983).

    Awards and Specials:

    • Olmos has been part of numerous awards presentations, including the Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and Grammy Awards.
    • He has been actively involved in hosting and narrating various specials, such as "Frida Kahlo: Portrait of an Artist" (1989) and "Prophecies of the Millennium" (1997).

    This overview illustrates the depth of Edward James Olmos's involvement in theatre, film, and television, showcasing his multifaceted contributions to the entertainment industry.

    Edward James Olmos Biography (1947-) (2024)

    References

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