| Moved with his family to Los Angeles at age nine |
1978 | Originated the role of Rudy in the L.A. production of "Zoot Suit" |
1979 | Broadway debut, reprised role of Rudy in "Zoot Suit" |
1979 | TV debut, "The Streets of L.A." (CBS) |
1980 | Feature acting debut, "Love & Money" |
1981 | Played Rudy in the film version of "Zoot Suit" |
1985 | Appeared on Broadway in "The Boys of Winter" |
1985 | First film in a lead role was in Haskell Wexler's "Latino" |
1990 | TV series debut, "Veronica Claire" |
1993 | Cast as caring partner Luke Ramirez in the police comedy, "Bakersfield P.D." (FOX) |
1994 | Co-directed and co-produced "A Million to Juan" (also acted) with Paul Rodriguez |
1997 | Played Luis Escobar in the ABC drama "Total Security" |
2000 | Starred in "Resurrection Blvd." (Showtime); also directed episodes |
2001 | Made solo directorial debut with the Showtime movie "The Princess and the Barrio Boy," featuring Marisol Nichols and Nicholas Gonzalez his co-stars from "Resurrection Blvd" |
2002 | Directed an episode of "Greetings from Tucson" for the WB Network |
2002 | Portrayed the character El Fuego in "Half Past Dead" |
2005 | Had a recurring role on FOX's "24" |
2006 | Cast in ABC's "Ugly Betty" as Betty's father, Ignacio Suarez |
2009 | Nominated for the 2009 Teen Choice Award for Choice TV: Parental Unit |
