Rubén Blades
Actor, Composer, Producer
July 16, 1948 (78 years)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Rubén Blades Bellido de Luna (born July 16, 1948) is a Panamanian salsa singer, songwriter, lawyer, actor, Latin jazz musician, and politician, performing musically most often in the Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz genres. As songwriter, Blades brought the lyrical sophistication of Central American nueva canción and Cuban nueva trova as well as experimental tempos and political inspired Nuyorican salsa to his music, creating thinking persons' (salsa) dance music. Blades has composed dozens of musical hits, the most famous of which is "Pedro Navaja," a song about a neighborhood thug who appears to die during a robbery (his song "Sorpresas" continues the story), inspired by "Mack the Knife." He also composed and sings what many Panamanians consider their second national anthem. The song is titled "Patria" (Fatherland). He is an icon in Panama and is much admired throughout Latin America, and managed to attract 18% of the vote in his failed attempt to win the Panamanian presidency in 1994. In September 2004, he was appointed minister of tourism by Panamanian president Martín Torrijos for a five-year term. He holds a law degree from the University of Panama and a master's in international law from Harvard University. He is married to singer Luba Mason.
Description above from the Wikipedia article Rubén Blades, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Rubén Blades Bellido de Luna (born July 16, 1948) is a Panamanian salsa singer, songwriter, lawyer, actor, Latin jazz musician, and politician, performing musically most often in the Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz genres. As songwriter, Blades brought the lyrical sophistication of Central American nueva canción and Cuban nueva trova as well as experimental tempos and political inspired Nuyorican salsa to his music, creating thinking persons' (salsa) dance music. Blades has composed dozens of musical hits, the most famous of which is "Pedro Navaja," a song about a neighborhood thug who appears to die during a robbery (his song "Sorpresas" continues the story), inspired by "Mack the Knife." He also composed and sings what many Panamanians consider their second national anthem. The song is titled "Patria" (Fatherland). He is an icon in Panama and is much admired throughout Latin America, and managed to attract 18% of the vote in his failed attempt to win the Panamanian presidency in 1994. In September 2004, he was appointed minister of tourism by Panamanian president Martín Torrijos for a five-year term. He holds a law degree from the University of Panama and a master's in international law from Harvard University. He is married to singer Luba Mason.
Description above from the Wikipedia article Rubén Blades, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Known For
Featured Videos
Filmography
| 2026 | |
| 2025 | La salsa vive · as Ruben Blades |
| 2021 | Red Pill · as RockyOn Plex |
| 2016 | Hands of Stone · as Carlos EletaOn Plex |
| 2015 | Fear the Walking Dead · as Daniel SalazarOn Plex |
| 2014 | Yo soy la SalsaOn Plex |
| 2014 | Nature Is Speaking · as El Arrecife De Coral (coral Reef) |
| 2013 | The Counselor · as Jefe |
| 2012 | For Greater Glory: The True Story of Cristiada · as Président Calles |
| 2012 | Safe House · as Carlos Villar |
| 2011 | |
| 2009 | Spoken Word · as Cruz-Sr. |
| 2008 | |
| 2004 | Secuestro express · as Carla's Father |
| 2003 | Spin · as Ernesto |
| 2003 | The Maldonado Miracle · as Cruz |
| 2003 | Once Upon a Time in Mexico · as Jorge, Retired Fbi Agent |
| 2003 | Imagining Argentina · as Silvio Ayala |
| 2002 | Assassination Tango · as Miguel |
| 2000 | All the Pretty Horses · as Rocha |
| 2000 | Gideon's Crossing · as Dr. Max Cabranes |
| 2000 | Resurrection Blvd. · as Martin |
| 1999 | Cradle Will Rock · as Diego Rivera |
| 1997 | Chinese Box · as Jim |
| 1997 | The Devil's Own · as Edwin Diaz |
| 1995 | Scorpion Spring · as Border Patrolman Sam Zaragosa |
| 1994 | Color of Night · as Hector |
| 1994 | A Million to Juan · as Bartender |
| 1993 | The X-Files · as Conrad Lozano |
| 1993 | Life with Mikey · as Angie's Dad (uncredited) |
| 1993 | Miracle on Interstate 880 · as Pastor Beruman |
| 1991 | The Super · as Marlon |
| 1991 | Rabbit Ears - Joseph and His Brothers · as Narrator (voice) |
| 1991 | Crazy from the Heart · as Ernesto Ontiveros |
| 1991 | One Man's War · as Perrone |
| 1991 | The Josephine Baker Story · as Count Giuseppe Pepito Abatino |
| 1990 | Predator 2 · as Danny Archuleta |
| 1990 | The Two Jakes · as Mickey Nice |
| 1990 | Mo' Better Blues · as Petey |
| 1989 | The Lemon Sisters · as C.w. |
| 1989 | Disorganized Crime · as Carlos Barrios |
| 1989 | Dead Man Out · as Ben |
| 1988 | Homeboy · as DoctorOn Plex |
| 1988 | The Milagro Beanfield War · as Sheriff Bernabe Montoya |
| 1987 | Fatal Beauty · as Carl Jimenez |
| 1987 | Critical Condition · as Louis |
| 1985 | Crossover Dreams · as Rudy Veloz |
| 1983 | The Last Fight · as Andy "kid" Clave |
| 2019 | |
| 2018 | Ruben Blades Is Not My Name · as Composer |
| 2002 | Empire · as Original Music Composer |
| 1990 | Q&A · as Original Music ComposerOn Plex |
| 1988 | The Story of Fausta · as Original Music Composer |
| 1988 | |
| 1988 | Gryphon · as Composer |
| 1983 | When the Mountains Tremble · as Original Music Composer |
| 2021 | Plaza Catedral · as Associate ProducerOn Plex |
| 2024 | Mariposas Negras · as Songs |
| 1988 | Oliver & Company · as Songs |
| 1984 | Pedro Navaja · as Songs |
| 1984 | Pedro Navaja · as Song "pedro Navaja" |