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Edward James Olmos

Actor, Director, Producer, Additional CreditsBorn February 24, 1947 (78 years)
Edward James Olmos (born February 24, 1947) is an American actor, director, producer, and activist. He is best known for his roles as Lieutenant Martin "Marty" Castillo in Miami Vice (1984–1989), actor in and director of American Me (1992), William Adama in the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica (2004–2009), teacher Jaime Escalante in Stand and Deliver (1988), and Detective Gaff in Blade Runner (1982), and its sequel Blade Runner 2049 (2017). In 2018, he played the father of two members of an outlaw motorcycle club in the FX series Mayans MC.

For his work in Miami Vice, Olmos won the 1985 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, as well as the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film. For his performance in Stand and Deliver, Olmos was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

He is also known for his roles as patriarch Abraham Quintanilla in the film Selena, narrator El Pachuco in both the stage and film versions of Zoot Suit, and the voice of Chicharrón in Coco.

Over the course of his career, Olmos has been a pioneer for more diversified roles and images of Hispanics in the U.S. media. His notable direction, production, and starring roles for films, made-for-TV movies, and TV shows include Wolfen, Triumph of the Spirit, Talent for the Game, American Me, The Burning Season, My Family/Mi Familia, Caught, 12 Angry Men, The Disappearance of Garcia Lorca, Walkout, The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit, American Family, and Dexter. Description above from the Wikipedia article Edward James Olmos, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Movies & Shows on Plex

  • Virus: Day of Resurrection
  • Dead Man's Walk
  • Filly Brown
  • Bogard
  • The Judge
  • Imprisoned
  • The Wall
  • Water & Power
  • Journey of a Female Comic

Known For

  • Battlestar Galactica (2003)
  • Blade Runner
  • Battlestar Galactica
  • 2 Guns
  • Stand and Deliver
  • Dexter
  • The Green Hornet
  • The Road to El Dorado
  • Battlestar Galactica: The Plan
  • American Me
  • Miami Vice
  • Mayans M.C.
  • Selena
  • Battlestar Galactica: Razor
  • My Family
  • A Dog's Way Home
  • Wolfen
  • Blade Runner: Black Out 2022
  • Gossip

Featured Videos

  • Edward James Olmos
    Edward James Olmos2 GunsBehind the Scenes
  • Edward James Olmos On The Relationship Between Bobby And Stig
    Edward James Olmos On The Relationship Between Bobby And Stig2 GunsBehind the Scenes
  • Bobby Tells Papi Greco He'll Wait For The Cocaine
    Bobby Tells Papi Greco He'll Wait For The Cocaine2 GunsScene
  • Edward James Olmos On The Casting Of Jenni Rivera
    Edward James Olmos On The Casting Of Jenni RiveraFilly BrownBehind the Scenes

Edward James Olmos Filmography

2024
One Fast Move · as Abel
2024
Outlaw Posse · as Ossie
2023
Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (TV Series) · as Molecule Man (voice)
2022
Bonnie · as Lieutenant Martin Castillo
2021
Walking with Herb · as Joe Amable-Amo
2020
Chasing Wonders · as Luis
2019
The Devil Has a Name · as Santiago
2019
Windows on the World · as Balthazar
2019
Bless This Mess (TV Series) · as Randy
2019
A Dog's Way Home · as Axel
2018
Imprisoned · as Hospicio
2018
Mayans M.C. (TV Series) · as Felipe Reyes
2017
Coco · as Chicharrón (voice)
2017
2017
Blade Runner: Black Out 2022 · as Gaff (voice)
2016
2016
Elena of Avalor (TV Series) · as King Pescoro
2016
Americano · as Gayo (voice)
2016
Urban Cowboy · as Al Robles
2015
Narcos (TV Series) · as Chucho Peña
2015
Unity · as Narrator (voice)
2014
2014
Agave Is Life · as Narrator (voice)
2013
Go for Sisters · as Freddy Suárez
2013
Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (TV Series) · as Robert Gonzales
2013
2 Guns · as Papi Greco
2012
Filly Brown · as Leandro
2011
América · as Mr. Irving
2011
The Green Hornet · as Michael Axford
2011
2010
Blue Bloods (TV Series) · as Lorenzo Batista
2009
Battlestar Galactica: The Plan · as Commander William Adama
2009
A Class Apart · as Narrator
2008
Beverly Hills Chihuahua · as Diablo (voice)
2007
2007
Battlestar Galactica: Razor · as Admiral William Adama
2006
Dexter (TV Series) · as Prof. James Gellar
2006
Discovery Atlas (TV Series) · as Narrator
2006
Splinter · as Captain Garcia
2006
Battlestar Galactica: The Story So Far · as Admiral William Adama
2006
Eureka (TV Series) · as First Sled Dog
2006
Walkout · as Julian Nava
2006
Recycled Life · as Narrator
2005
La cerca · as Narrator / Old Niño
2004
Battlestar Galactica (2003) (TV Series) · as Commander William Adama
2004
CSI: NY (TV Series) · as Luther Devarro
2004
The Batman (TV Series) · as Chief Rojas (voice)
2003
Battlestar Galactica (TV Series) · as Commander Adama
2002
Greetings From Tucson (TV Series) · as Priest
2002
George Lopez (TV Series) · as Mr. Vega
2002
American Family (TV Series) · as Jess Gonzalez
2001
2001
In the Time of the Butterflies · as Rafael Leónidas Trujillo
2001
The Judge · as Judge Armando Acosta
2001
The Judge (TV Series) · as Judge Armando Acosti
2000
The Princess & the Barrio Boy · as Nestor Garcia
2000
Gossip · as Detective Curtis
2000
The Road to El Dorado · as Chief (voice)
1999
The West Wing (TV Series) · as Roberto Mendoza
1999
1999
Bonanno: A Godfather's Story · as Gaspar Digregario (young)
1999
Zapatista · as Narrator (voice)
1998
The Wall · as Col. Holst (segment "the Pencil Holder")
1998
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three · as Det. Anthony Piscotti
1998
1997
12 Angry Men · as Juror 11
1997
1997
The Living Edens (TV Series) · as Narrator
1997
Hollywood Confidential · as Stan Navarro, Sr.
1997
Gun (TV Series) · as Father Santos
1997
Selena · as Abraham Quintanilla
1996
Death in Granada · as Roberto Lozano
1996
The Limbic Region · as Lucca
1996
Dead Man's Walk (TV Series) · as Captain Salazar
1996
1996
Caught · as Joe
1995
1995
Mirage · as Matteo Juarez
1995
My Family · as Paco
1995
500 Nations (TV Series)
1995
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (TV Series) · as Rey Emiliano (voice)
1994
Touched by an Angel (TV Series) · as Col. Victor Walls
1994
1994
The Magic School Bus (TV Series) · as Mr. Ramon (voice)
1994
1994
A Million to Juan · as The Angel
1993
Even Cowgirls Get the Blues · as Musician At Barbecue (uncredited)
1993
1993
Roosters · as Gallo Morales
1992
Late Show with David Letterman (TV Series) · as William Adama - Top Ten Presenter
1992
American Me · as Montoya Santana
1991
Talent for the Game · as Virgil Sweet
1990
Maria's Story · as José Serrano (voice)
1990
The Earth Day Special · as Hospital Director
1990
Father/Son · as Host
1989
1989
The Simpsons (TV Series) · as Pit Master (voice)
1988
The Fortunate Pilgrim (TV Series) · as Frank Corbo
1988
Stand and Deliver · as Jaime A. Escalante
1986
Saving Grace · as Ciolino
1984
Miami Vice (TV Series) · as Martin Castillo
1984
1983
The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez · as Gregorio Cortez
1982
Faerie Tale Theatre (TV Series) · as Prime Minister
1982
Blade Runner · as Gaff
1981
Zoot Suit · as El Pachuco
1981
Wolfen · as Eddie Holt
1981
Hill Street Blues (TV Series)
1981
1980
American Playhouse (TV Series) · as Gen. Santa Anna
1980
1979
1977
Alambrista! · as 1st Drunk
1977
CHiPs (TV Series)
1977
Rafferty (TV Series) · as Cast
1977
The Fitzpatricks (TV Series) · as Don Vasquez
1976
Visions (1976) (TV Series) · as First Drunk
1976
Delvecchio (TV Series) · as Luis Hemenez
1975
The Blue Knight (TV Series) · as Clemente (as Ed Olmos)
1975
Starsky & Hutch (TV Series) · as Julio Gutierez
1975
Aloha Bobby and Rose · as Chicano #1
1975
Bronk (TV Series) · as Chico
1975
Bogard · as Junkie In Bathroom
1974
Police Woman (TV Series)
1973
Kojak (TV Series) · as Paco
1973
Police Story (TV Series)
1971
Cannon (TV Series)
1968
Hawaii Five-O (TV Series) · as Dancer

2023
100 Years of Warner Bros. (TV Series) · as Self
2022
Life is Art · as Self
2021
Phenomenon Blade Runner · as Self - Actor (gaff)
2020
2019
2018
2017
The Nineties (TV Series) · as Self - Actor And Activist
2017
LA 92 · as Self (archive Footage)
2017
2014
The Real History of Science Fiction (TV Series) · as Himself
2013
Fatherhood 101 · as Self
2012
Mario Lopez: One on One (TV Series) · as Self
2012
PoliticKING with Larry King (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
2012
2011
I Love Jenni (TV Series) · as Self
2011
Portlandia (TV Series) · as Edward James Olmos
2010
I'm Still Here · as Edward James Olmos
2010
Latino 101 (TV Series) · as Self
2009
2009
2009
2008
2008
Pioneers of Television (TV Series) · as Self
2007
2007
TMZ (TV Series) · as Self
2007
The 79th Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Audience Member
2007
Up Close with Carrie Keagan (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
2006
2006
2006 ALMA Awards · as Self
2005
Made In Hollywood (TV Series) · as Self
2005
2005
05 Spaceys · as Self
2004
Tavis Smiley (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
2002
HypaSpace (TV Series) · as Self
2002
2000
2000
2000 ALMA Awards · as Self - Presenter
2000
Super Bowl XXXIV · as Self - Halftime Show Performer
1999
1999
1998
1997
¡Despierta América! (TV Series) · as Self
1996
The Rosie O'Donnell Show (TV Series) · as Self
1995
1995
1995
1994
WGN Morning News (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
1994
Extra (TV Series) · as Self
1994
Sidewalks Entertainment (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
1993
Late Night with Conan O'Brien (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
1993
Great Books (TV Series) · as Self
1993
1993 Essence Awards · as Self - Presenter
1992
The 64th Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Presenter
1991
Sightings (TV Series) · as Self - Actor & Community Activist (segment "healing The Causes Of Violence")
1991
Movie Days (TV Series) · as Self - Interviewee
1991
1990
Intimate Portrait (TV Series) · as Self
1990
1990
1990
1989
The 61st Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Presenter
1989
The Arsenio Hall Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
1988
American Experience (TV Series) · as Self - Narrator
1987
Biography (TV Series) · as Self
1987
Geraldo (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
1986
At The Movies (TV Series) · as Self
1986
1985
American Masters (TV Series) · as Self - Actor
1981
An Evening At the Improv (TV Series) · as Self - Host
1980
Hour Magazine (TV Series) · as Self
1979
SAG Foundation Conversations (TV Series) · as Self
1979
The 33rd Annual Tony Awards · as Self - Nominee
1973
AFI Life Achievement Award (TV Series) · as Self
1972
The ABC Afterschool Special (TV Series) · as Self
1966

2024
Say a Little Prayer · as Executive Producer
2019
2016
2016
Americano · as Executive Producer
2013
2013
Water & Power · as Executive Producer
2012
Filly Brown · as Executive Producer
2011
América · as Executive Producer
1992
1983
The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez · as Associate Producer
1980
American Playhouse (TV Series) · as Associate Producer

2006
Walkout · as Co-Executive Producer
1983
The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez · as Original Music Composer
1980
American Playhouse (TV Series) · as Composer

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