Biography
Though widely recognized for his film and television career, actor Edward James Olmos also spent a great deal of time working for social and political causes, particularly as they have affected his native Latino heritage. Though he struggled early on in his acting career, taking bit parts in various guest spots on popular television shows in the 1970s, Olmos made the most of his success once he found it. Starting with his Tony-nominated …
Edward Olmos SlideShow
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Career Milestones
2007 | Co-starred in his son, Michael D. Olmos' directorial debut, the gangster film "Splinter" | |
2006 | 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 | |
2004 | Reprised role of Admiral William Adama for the series, "Battlestar Galactica" (Sci Fi Channel) | |
2003 | Cast as Admiral William Adama on the cult hit remake of "Battlestar Galactica" (Sci-fi channel) | |
2002 | Starred as a recently widowed father in the PBS series "American Family" | |
2001 | Played Dominican Republic dictator Rafael Leónidas Trujillo in the movie "In the Time of the Butterflies" | |
1999 | Had a recurring role as U.S. Supreme Court Justice Robert Mendoza, in the NBC drama "The West Wing" | |
1997 | Portrayed Abraham Quintanilla in Gregory Nava's "Selena" based on the true story of the Texas born tejano singer | |
1995 | Starred in Gregory Nava's film, "My Family/Mi Familia" about three generations of a Mexican-American family | |
1994 | 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 | |
1994 | Portrayed Jose Menendez, in the CBS TV movie "Menendez: A Killing in Beverly Hills" | |
1992 | Made directorial debut (also produced and starred) with "American Me" | |
1988 | 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 | |
1984 | Breakthrough role as police Lieutenant Martin Castillo in Michael Mann's "Miami Vice" (NBC) | |
| 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 | ||
1983 | Associate produced first film, "The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez" (also starred and composed and adapted music) | |
| Co-founded YOY Productions with director Robert M Young | ||
1981 | Reprised his role in film version of "Zoot Suit" | |
1978 | 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) | |
1975 | 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 | ||
| Family moved from Los Angeles to Montebello, CA in the mid-1950s | ||
Awards
2011 | Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in Dexter |
2006 | Directors Guild of America Award for Movies For Television and Mini-Series in Walkout |
1995 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor In a Miniseries or Special in The Burning Season |
1994 | Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television in The Burning Season |
1989 | Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead in Stand and Deliver |
1988 | Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television in Miami Vice |
1988 | Academy Award for Actor In a Leading Role in Stand and Deliver |
1988 | Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama in Stand and Deliver |
1986 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in Miami Vice |
1985 | Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television in Miami Vice |
1985 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in Miami Vice |