Edward James Olmos facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Edward James Olmos
Olmos at the 2018 San Diego Comic-Con
Born	Edward Huizar Olmos (1947-02-24) February 24, 1947 (age 78) East Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Citizenship	United States Mexico
Occupation	Actor director producer activist
Years active	1974–present
Spouse(s)	Kaija Keel ​ ​ (m. 1971; div. 1992)​ Lorraine Bracco ​ ​ (m. 1994; div. 2002)​ Lymari Nadal ​ ​ (m. 2002; separated 2013)​
Children	6

Edward James Olmos (born February 24, 1947) is a famous American actor. He is also a director, producer, and activist. He is known for many important roles in movies and TV shows.

Some of his most famous parts include Lieutenant Martin "Marty" Castillo in Miami Vice. He also played William Adama in the TV series Battlestar Galactica. You might also know him as Detective Gaff in Blade Runner and its sequel. He was also the voice of Mito in Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.

One of his most inspiring roles was playing real-life math teacher Jaime Escalante in the movie Stand and Deliver. For this role, he was even nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor. He also won a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for his work in Miami Vice.

Edward James Olmos has also played folk hero Gregorio Cortez in The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez. He was Abraham Quintanilla in the movie Selena. He also voiced Chicharrón in the popular animated movie Coco. Throughout his career, he has worked to create more diverse and positive roles for Latino people in American media.

Early Life and Beginnings

Edward James Olmos was born and grew up in East Los Angeles, California. His father was a Mexican immigrant, and his mother was American with Mexican roots. His parents divorced when he was seven. He was mostly raised by his great-grandparents.

When he was young, he dreamed of being a professional baseball player. At 13, he joined the Los Angeles Dodgers' farm system as a catcher. But at 15, he decided to leave baseball. He wanted to join a rock and roll band instead.

He finished high school at Montebello High School in 1964. During his teenage years, he was the lead singer of a band called Pacific Ocean. They performed in Los Angeles and released one record in 1968. At the same time, he started taking acting classes.

Acting Career Highlights

Starting in Theater

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Olmos began acting. He appeared in many small plays. His big break came when he played "El Pachuco" in the play Zoot Suit. This play was about the World War II-era Zoot Suit riots in California. These riots involved tensions between Mexican-Americans and police.

The play moved to Broadway, and Olmos was nominated for a Tony Award. He later played the same role in the movie version of Zoot Suit in 1981.

Movies and Television Roles

Olmos in 2008

In 1980, Olmos acted in the science fiction film Virus. From 1984 to 1989, he had a very important role in the TV series Miami Vice. He played the quiet police Lieutenant Martin Castillo. For this role, he won a Golden Globe Award and an Emmy Award in 1985.

Olmos made history by becoming the first American-born Hispanic actor nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor. This was for his role as math teacher Jaime Escalante in Stand and Deliver. In 1992, he directed and starred in the crime film American Me. He also appeared in My Family/Mi Familia, a story about a Chicano family.

In 1997, he starred with Jennifer Lopez in the movie Selena. He played Dominican Republic dictator Rafael Trujillo in a 2001 film. He also had a recurring role as a Supreme Court Justice in the TV show The West Wing.

Olmos at the 2010 Guadalajara International Film Festival

From 2003 to 2009, Olmos starred as Commander William Adama in the TV series Battlestar Galactica. He also directed four episodes of the show. He even directed a TV movie based on the show called The Plan. He has said this was one of the best TV projects he has been part of.

In 2006, he helped produce, direct, and acted in the HBO film Walkout. This movie was about the 1968 Chicano Blowouts. He also appeared in Snoop Dogg's music video "Vato". Later, he joined the cast of the TV series Dexter for its sixth season. He played a professor of religious studies. He also appeared in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. as Robert Gonzales.

Music Career

In 1967, Edward James Olmos formed a bluesy rock band called Pacific Ocean. He was the lead singer and played keyboards. In 1968, the band released their only album.

Social and Political Activism

Olmos in 2009

Olmos is very active in social causes, especially those helping the U.S. Hispanic community. After the 1992 Los Angeles riots, Olmos went out with a broom to help clean up and rebuild communities.

In 1997, he helped start the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival. He also co-founded Latino Literacy Now. This non-profit group has organized Latino Book & Festivals across the U.S. These events have been attended by over 700,000 people.

A mural of Jaime Escalante and Edward James Olmos on the Westlake Theatre building.

In 1998, he founded Latino Public Broadcasting. He is the chairman of this organization. It helps fund TV programs that focus on issues affecting Hispanic communities. It also promotes diverse viewpoints in public television.

Olmos often visits juvenile halls and detention centers. He speaks to teenagers who are at risk. He has also been an international ambassador for UNICEF. In 2001, he was arrested for protesting against United States Navy bombing practices on the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico. He later spoke out about the need to clean up Vieques.

He narrated the 1999 documentary film Zapatista. This film supported the Zapatista Army of National Liberation. Olmos has also supported various animal rights causes. In 2015, he lent his voice to the film Unity (film). This film encourages better treatment of animals and the natural world. Since 2015, Olmos has been a vegan. He has worked with PETA on several campaigns. In 2023, PETA gave him a Humanitarian Award.

He also supports the SENS Research Foundation. This group works to find cures for diseases related to aging.

Personal Life

Edward James Olmos has been married several times and has six children. He has two biological children, Bodie and Mico, and four adopted children.

In 1993, he received an honorary degree from Whittier College. In 1996, he received another honorary degree from California State University, Fresno. In 2007, he also became a Mexican citizen. An Asteroid named 5608 Olmos was named in his honor.

Filmography

Olmos at the 2013 Miami International Film Festival

Film

Television

Olmos in 2006

Awards and Nominations

Olmos at the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con

Music Video

See also

In Spanish: Edward James Olmos para niños