Danny Trejo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Danny Trejo
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Trejo in 2023
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| Born | May 16, 1944 Maywood, California, U.S.
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| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1985–present |
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Works
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Full list |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) |
| Spouse(s) |
Laura
(m. 1962; div. 1965)Debbie Schipek
(m. 1971; div. 1975)Joanne Discuillo
(m. 1975; div. 1978)Debbie Shreve
(m. 1997; div. 2009) |
| Children | 3 |
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Danny Trejo (born May 16, 1944) is an American actor. He was born in Los Angeles, California. His acting career started in 1985 with a role in the movie Runaway Train. He became known for playing tough characters like inmates or criminals.
Danny Trejo has appeared in many famous movies. These include Desperado (1995), Heat (1995), and From Dusk till Dawn (1996). He also played the character Isador "Machete" Cortez in the Spy Kids movies from 2001 to 2003. Later, he starred as Machete in his own spin-off movies, Machete (2010) and Machete Kills (2013).
Besides movies, Trejo has lent his voice to many video games. He voiced Umberto Robina in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. He also appeared as himself in games like Def Jam: Fight for NY and Call of Duty: Black Ops.
Contents
Early Life and Background
Growing Up in Los Angeles
Danny Trejo was born on May 16, 1944, in the Echo Park area of Los Angeles, California. His parents were Mexican-American. His father, Dionisio "Dan" Trejo, worked in construction.
When he was 13, Danny moved to Pacoima, Los Angeles. He later bought his childhood home and often lives there.
A Look at Danny Trejo's Career
Starting His Acting Journey
In the 1980s, Danny Trejo helped people in sober living houses. During this time, he met someone who worked as a film extra. This made Trejo interested in acting. He thought it could help him spread the word about his work with others.
He got a job as an extra in a movie's prison scenes. A writer for the film, Edward Bunker, recognized Trejo from their time in prison together. Bunker remembered Trejo's boxing skills. He helped Trejo get a job as a boxing trainer for actor Eric Roberts. Trejo was paid well for this, and he was surprised. Bunker also convinced the director to give Trejo a small acting role. Trejo's real-life experiences helped make the prison scenes feel very real. He didn't realize he was being cast as a prisoner often, he was just happy to be working.
Becoming a Recognizable Actor
By 1990, Trejo had been in many films, including Death Wish 4: The Crackdown. He found a new talent agent with the help of Raymond Cruz. He then appeared in an episode of Baywatch.
A big movie for him was Blood In, Blood Out. Filming scenes in his old prison cell brought back memories. But this movie helped him gain "legitimate, worldwide fame."
He also worked on the movie Heat. He learned a lot by watching famous actors like Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer, and Jon Voight. De Niro even helped him with his scenes.
In 1997, Trejo was in Con Air. He remembers the set being full of fun and pranks. He met many friends there, including Nicolas Cage, John Malkovich, and Steve Buscemi.
The Spy Kids Adventure and Beyond
In 2000, Danny Trejo started filming Spy Kids. This movie was special because it was his first time playing Isador "Machete" Cortez. Working with director Robert Rodriguez and actors like Antonio Banderas felt like a family reunion. Spy Kids made Trejo famous around the world, especially among children.
Throughout the 2000s, Trejo appeared in many movies. These included XXX, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, and Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. He also made TV appearances in shows like Monk and Breaking Bad.
Taking on Lead Roles
Danny Trejo continued to grow as an actor. In 2010, he starred as Machete in his own movie, Machete. He played the role again in the sequel, Machete Kills (2013).
In 2012, he had a supporting role in the TV show Sons of Anarchy. In 2014, he produced his first film, called Ambition.
He also appeared in commercials, like one for Snickers during the Super Bowl XLIX. In 2017, he voiced Mr. Jaguar in the animated TV show Rick and Morty. He also played Detective Rosa Diaz's father in Brooklyn Nine Nine. In The Flash, he played Gypsy's father, a character who could travel between dimensions.
In 2021, Trejo was on The Masked Singer as "Raccoon." He also appeared in Running Wild with Bear Grylls. In 2022, he made his Star Wars debut in The Book of Boba Fett as a Rancor keeper.
Video Game Appearances
Danny Trejo has lent his voice and likeness to several video games.
- In 2004, he appeared in Def Jam: Fight for NY as a villain.
- He voiced Umberto Robina in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories.
- He voiced Raul Alfonso Tejada in Fallout: New Vegas.
- He appeared as himself in Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010).
- In 2021, he made a guest appearance in the game Far Cry 6: Danny and Dani vs. Everybody.
- In 2022, he appeared in the skateboarding game Olli Olli World.
- In 2023, he voiced Dwight Méndez in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.
Music Videos and Books
Trejo has made cameo appearances in many music videos. These include videos for Sepultura, Mobb Deep, Enrique Iglesias, and Slayer.
He has also contributed to books. He was part of Prison Ramen: Recipes and Stories from Behind Bars. In 2020, he published his own cookbook, Trejo's Tacos: Recipes and Stories from L.A.. In 2021, he released his memoir, Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood, which became a best-seller.
Trejo's Restaurants
Danny Trejo has opened several successful restaurants in Los Angeles. In 2016, he opened Trejo's Tacos. He also has Trejo's Cantina and Trejo's Coffee and Donuts. As of 2020, he owns eight restaurants. His rainbow cauliflower tacos were even listed as one of the Los Angeles Times' favorite recipes in 2017.
Martial Arts Connection
In 2019, Trejo became a ring announcer for Karate Combat, a full-contact karate league. He even received a karate lesson from former UFC champion Georges St-Pierre.
Personal Life and Interests
Danny Trejo has three children: Danny (born 1981), Gilbert (born 1988), and Danielle (born 1990).
He is a Christian. His second cousin is the famous filmmaker Robert Rodriguez. They didn't know they were related until they worked together on the movie Desperado.
In 2019, Danny Trejo helped rescue a five-year-old child from an overturned car after an accident. He said, "Everything good that has happened to me has happened as a direct result of helping someone else. Everything."
Trejo is known for his unique look. He has a distinctive face, long hair, a mustache, and a large tattoo on his chest. The tattoo shows a woman wearing a sombrero.
He is a big fan of the Los Angeles Rams football team. He says he used to sneak into games as a child. He still attends games and practices.
Danny Trejo often speaks at juvenile detention centers and recovery centers. He shares his life story to help others.
See also
In Spanish: Danny Trejo para niños
- Danny Trejo filmography
- History of Mexican Americans in Los Angeles
