Edward Olmos

Co-starred in his son, Michael D. Olmos' directorial debut, the gangster film "Splinter"

Co-produced, directed, and played the bit part of Julian Nava in the HBO movie "Walkout" about the 1968 Chicano Blowouts; earned a nomination from the Directors Guild of America

Reprised role of Admiral William Adama for the series, “Battlestar Galactica” (Sci Fi Channel)

Cast as Admiral William Adama on the cult hit remake of “Battlestar Galactica” (Sci-fi channel)

Starred as a recently widowed father in the PBS series "American Family"

Played Dominican Republic dictator Rafael Leónidas Trujillo in the movie "In the Time of the Butterflies"

Had a recurring role as U.S. Supreme Court Justice Robert Mendoza, in the NBC drama "The West Wing"

Portrayed Abraham Quintanilla in Gregory Nava's "Selena" based on the true story of the Texas born tejano singer

Starred in Gregory Nava's film, "My Family/Mi Familia" about three generations of a Mexican-American family

Co-starred with Raul Julia in "The Burning Season," an HBO movie based on the true story of a Brazilian rubber tapper who leads his people in protest against government and developers

Portrayed Jose Menendez, in the CBS TV movie "Menendez: A Killing in Beverly Hills"

Made directorial debut (also produced and starred) with "American Me"

Portrayed real-life math teacher, Jaime Escalante in the film, "Stand and Deliver"; first film as co-producer; received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor

Breakthrough role as police Lieutenant Martin Castillo in Michael Mann's "Miami Vice" (NBC)

Associate produced first film, "The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez" (also starred and composed and adapted music)

Reprised his role in film version of "Zoot Suit"

First major stage role as El Pachuco in musical "Zoot Suit" with the Center Theatre Group at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles; made Broadway debut when production transferred to Broadway (1979)

Film debut in "Aloha, Bobby and Rose"

Appeared in experimental theater productions in Los Angeles

Began appearing on TV in early 1970s

Began entertainment career as founder and singer with rock band, Eddie James and the Pacific Ocean

Co-founded YOY Productions with director Robert M Young

Family moved from Los Angeles to Montebello, CA in the mid-1950s

Turned down five film offers and instead nearly bankrupted himself by traveling through the Southwest with a copy of "The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez," renting theaters at his own expense to get audiences to see the film