Edward James Olmos facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edward James Olmos
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Olmos at the 2018 San Diego Comic-Con
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| Born |
Edward Huizar Olmos
February 24, 1947 East Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Years active | 1974–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Kaija Keel
(m. 1971; div. 1992)Lymari Nadal
(m. 2002; separated 2013) |
| Children | 6 |
Edward James Olmos (born February 24, 1947) is a famous American actor, director, and activist. He is known for many roles, including Detective Gaff in Blade Runner and its sequel, Blade Runner 2049. He also played Lieutenant Martin "Marty" Castillo in the TV show Miami Vice.
One of his most celebrated roles was playing the real-life math teacher Jaime Escalante in the movie Stand and Deliver. For this role, he was nominated for an Academy Award. He also played William Adama in the popular science fiction series Battlestar Galactica.
Many people also know him from his voice acting roles. He was the voice of the tough Chief Tannabok in The Road to El Dorado and the forgotten musician Chicharrón in the Pixar movie Coco. Throughout his career, Olmos has worked to create more opportunities for Latino actors in Hollywood.
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Early Life and Dreams
Edward James Olmos was born and raised in East Los Angeles, California. His father, Pedro, was an immigrant from Mexico, and his mother, Eleanor, was a Mexican-American. His parents divorced when he was seven, so his great-grandparents helped raise him.
As a boy, Olmos dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player. At age 13, he joined the Los Angeles Dodgers' youth team as a catcher. However, he decided to leave baseball at 15 to start a rock and roll band. This decision disappointed his father.
He graduated from Montebello High School in 1964. During his teen years, he was the lead singer for a band he named Pacific Ocean. He hoped it would become "the biggest thing on the West Coast." While performing with his band, he also took acting classes at East Los Angeles College.
Acting Career
From Stage to Screen
In the late 1960s, Olmos began to focus more on acting. His big break came when he starred in the play Zoot Suit. He played the narrator, "El Pachuco." The play was about tensions between Mexican-Americans and police in California during World War II. The show was so successful that it moved to Broadway in New York City, and Olmos was nominated for a Tony Award. He later starred in the 1981 movie version of the play.
Famous Film and TV Roles
From 1984 to 1989, Olmos played the quiet and serious police Lieutenant Martin Castillo in the hit TV series Miami Vice. His performance won him a Golden Globe and an Emmy.
In 1988, he starred in Stand and Deliver. He played Jaime Escalante, a dedicated high school math teacher who inspired his students to succeed. This role earned him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor. He was the first American-born Hispanic actor to be nominated for this award.
He also played important roles in other films, such as My Family, which tells the story of a Mexican-American family over many generations. In 1997, he starred as Abraham Quintanilla, the father of the famous singer Selena Quintanilla, in the movie Selena.
Science Fiction and Beyond
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From 2003 to 2009, Olmos played Commander William Adama in the science fiction series Battlestar Galactica. The show was a huge success, and Olmos's character became a fan favorite. He even directed four episodes of the series. He has said that this show was "the best usage of television I've ever been a part of."
Later, he joined the cast of the TV show Dexter as a professor of religious studies. He also appeared in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. as Robert Gonzales, the leader of a rival group.
Activism and Community Work
Olmos is known for his social activism, especially for helping the Hispanic community in the United States. In 1997, he co-founded the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival to showcase movies by Latino filmmakers.
He also started Latino Public Broadcasting in 1998. This organization helps fund TV shows that focus on issues important to the Hispanic community. Olmos often visits juvenile halls to speak with teenagers and encourage them to make positive choices.
He has also been an international ambassador for UNICEF, a group that helps children around the world. In 2001, he took part in protests to stop the U.S. Navy from using the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico, for bombing practice.
Olmos also cares deeply about animal rights. He has worked with the animal rights group PETA on several campaigns and became a vegan in 2015.
Personal Life
Olmos married Kaija Keel in 1971, and they had two children, Bodie and Mico. They divorced in 1992. He later married actress Lorraine Bracco in 1994, and they separated in 1997 before divorcing in 2002. In 2002, he married actress Lymari Nadal, and they separated in 2013. Olmos also has four adopted children.
In 2022, Olmos was diagnosed with throat cancer. He went through chemotherapy treatment, and by the end of the year, the cancer was in remission. He shared this news with the public in May 2023 to raise awareness.
See also
In Spanish: Edward James Olmos para niños
