Biography for
Edward James Olmos More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

24 February 1947, East Los Angeles, California, USA

Nickname

EJO

Height

5' 9¾" (1.77 m)

Mini Biography

If Edward James Olmos had followed the first love of his life, he'd have been a professional baseball player. But by age 13, another love entered his life: rock music. By age 15 he was already an experienced rock singer, forming and reforming several "garage bands" along the way. During the late '60s and early '70s he played the most famous clubs on Sunset Strip, including Gazzarri's and The Factory. But a friend suggested that, with his flair for the dramatic, he consider a career in acting.

Throughout the seventies he divided his time between rock music gigs, acting classes, bit parts in TV, Off-off-off Broadway plays and his business of moving fine furniture (which kept body, soul and family together). His first big break was a starring role in Luis Valdez's play, "Zoot Suit", in 1978. The play moved to Broadway and led to a Tony nomination and great critical acclaim. Perhaps best known for his role as "Lt. Martin Castillo" in the NBC TV series, "Miami Vice" (1984) (1984-1989), he has been seen in numerous film and TV productions. He received an Accademy Award nomination for "best actor" for his starring role in Stand and Deliver (1988). Most notable of his recent offerings is American Me (1992), which was also his directing debut. But acting, directing and screenwriting are only parts of what he does. Olmos contends he would much rather be known as an activist than an actor. He devotes much of his time to causes, particularly those focusing on the needs and rights of children. He makes, on average, some 150 personal appearances a year to places where he can reach kids at risk; juvenile halls, detention centers, boys/girls clubs, schools. Anywhere he can get across his message that "we all have a choice" about where life takes us. He stresses the importance of education, the risks of gang life and tries to promote the notion of taking responsibility for one's own actions and one's own happiness in life. Using his own "disadvantaged background" as an example (he grew up in East Los Angeles, infamous for its gang problems), he tells the kids, "If I can do it, so can you". And he tries to point them in a positive direction. He has served as an ambassador for UNICEF and has received numerous accolades for his activism. He will long be remembered for getting out in the thick of the L.A. Riots of 1992 with his broom: one calm, reasonable presence in the midst of chaos and gunfire. Olmos was married to actress Lorraine Bracco. Between them they have 6 children, ages 10 - 25.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Deborah L. Schrader

Spouse

Lymari Nadal	(2002 - present)
Lorraine Bracco	(28 January 1994 - 4 March 2002) (divorced)
Kaija Keel	(29 December 1971 - 1992) (divorced) 2 children

Trade Mark

Frequently plays men of authority and/or power who inspire and enlighten those beneath him

Trivia

Drove a red Porsche Turbo, which he bought in Miami at a sale of articles confiscated in drug-busts. "He got 30 years. I got the car!". But soon afterwards the Porsche was stolen.

Sentenced to 20 days in prison for trespassing in April of 2000 on US Navy land on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques. Olmos & others were protesting the use of the island as a bombing test ground. President 'George W Bush' promised to end the testing in 2003. [10 August 2001]

Was considered for the part of Klingon Commander Kruge in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984), but lost the role to Christopher Lloyd because Lloyd was taller.

Father of Mico Olmos and Bodie Olmos.

Gained twenty pounds and thinned his hair to prepare for the role of Jaime Escalante in Stand and Deliver (1988).

Former son-in-law of the late actor Howard Keel.

Was nominated for Broadway's 1979 Tony Award as Best Actor (Featured Role - Play) for "Zoot Suit," a part he recreated in the film version of the same name, Zoot Suit (1981).

Says that he is Aztec and Spanish ancestry.

Turned down a regular role on "Hill Street Blues" (1981) (after several guest appearances) as well as major roles in Scarface (1983) and Firestarter (1984).

Declined an offer from director Michael Mann to reprise the role of "Lt. Martin Castillo" in the movie version of Miami Vice (2006). He was the only cast member from the original "Miami Vice" (1984) series who was approached to appear in the rebooted movie version of the series.

Ex-stepfather of Margaux Guerard.

He graduated from Montebello High School in Montebello, CA.

Was auctioned off for charity (lunch at the famed Polo Lounge in Beverly Hills) and "purchased" by Vicki Roberts.

Agreed to the role of William Adama on the Battlestar Galactica remake only on the condition that the stories reflect as much realism and credibility as possible.

Grduated from California State University Los Angeles (Cal State L.A.) which is located in the northern part of his home town of East L.A.

Personal Quotes

Sometimes you gotta do things that you don't really want to do. But you don't do them for money.

On Miami Vice and Battlestar Galactica: Miami, although it took place among policemen, wasn't about reality. It exploited reality to entertain. Battlestar is another thing. Despite it being set in space, it deals with real stuff.

I was the highest-paid actor -- per word -- in the history of television! (commenting on his role as "Lt. Castillo" on "Miami Vice" (1984))

Where Are They Now

(December 2002) Narrarates the Candlelight Processional at EPCOT (Walt Disney World) during the Christmas seasons.

(June 2005) Currently starring in the Sci Fi Channel's highly acclaimed new series, "Battlestar Galactica" (2004). He accepted the role of "Commander Adama" for the 2003 "Battlestar Galactica" miniseries and stayed on in the part when the Sci-Fi Channel decided to turn the mini into a regular series. He is currently in Vancouver filming the second season of the show.

(July 2005) On July 15th he began directing Walkout (2006) (TV) for HBO.

(March 2008) On March 3rd, 2008, he and Robert M. Young visited Madrid (Spain) to attend a show about their career.

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