Edward James Olmos
Edward James Olmos (born 24 February 1947) is a Mexican-American actor, and director.
He played Professor James Gellar on Showtime's DEXTER.
Appearances[]
- "Those Kinds of Things"
- "Once Upon a Time"
- "Smokey and the Bandit"
- "A Horse of a Different Color"
- "The Angel of Death"
- "Just Let Go"
- "Nebraska"
- "Sin of Omission"
- "Get Gellar"
- "Ricochet Rabbit"
Career[]
He is known for his roles as William Adama in the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica, Lieutenant Martin "Marty" Castillo in Miami Vice, teacher Jaime Escalante in Stand and Deliver, patriarch Abraham Quintanilla, Jr. in the film Selena, Detective Gaff in Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049, narrator El Pachuco in both the stage and film versions of Zoot Suit, and the voice of Chicharrón in Coco.
In 1988, Olmos was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for the film Stand and Deliver.
Film
His film credits include roles in Selena (1997); Stand and Deliver (1988); Blade Runner (1982); Walking with Herb (2021); Chasing Wonders (2020); The Devil Has a Name (2019); Windows on the World (2019); A Dog's Way Home (2019); Imprisoned (2018); Coco (2017, voice); Blade Runner 2049 (2017); Blade Runner: Black Out 2022 (2017); Blade Runner: Black Out 2022 (voice) 2017; Monday Nights at Seven (2016); Americano (2016); Americano (2016, voice); 2 Guns (2013); Go for Sisters (2013); Filly Brown (2012); America (2011); The Green Hornet (2011); I'm Still Here (2010); Battlestar Galactica: The Plan (2009); Beverly Hills Chihuahua (2008, voice); Splinter (2006)n; Jack and Marily (2002); Gossip (2000); The Road to El Dorado (2000 voice); The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit (1998); Selena Remembered (1997, Narrator); Selena (1997); The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez (1982); Disturbing the Peace (1996); Death in Granada (1996); Caught (1996); Mirage (1995); My Family (1995); A Million to Juan (1994); Roosters (1993); Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (1993) (uncredited); American Me (1992); Talent for the Game (1991); Triumph of the Spirit (1989); Stand and Deliver (1988); Saving Grace (1986); Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984 (English version, voice); Blade Runner (1982); Zoot Suit (1981); Wolfen (1981); Virus: The End (1980); Alambrista! (1977); Aloha Bobby and Rose (1975); and Black Fist (1975, uncredited).
TV Movies
His TV movie credits include roles in Mayans M.C. - Inside Season 1: The Creation of Mayans M.C. (2018); Urban Cowboy (2016); Battlestar Galactica: Razor (2007); Walkout (2006); The Wall (1998); Time of the Butterflies (2001); The Princess & the Barrio Boy (2000); Bonanno: A Godfather's Story (1999); The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1998);12 Angry Men (1997); Hollywood Confidential (1997); The Limbic Region (1996); The Burning Season: The Chico Mendes Story (1994); Menendez: A Killing in Beverly Hills (1994); The Earth Day Special (1990 TV Specia)l; and 300 Miles for Stephanie (1981).
Shorts
His shorts include The Art of Human Salvage (2015); House of the Righteous (2014); Enduring Legacy (2012) (voice); La cerca (2005); and Toto: I Will Remember (1995 Music Video).
Television
His TV credits include roles in the series Mayans M.C.; Bless This Mess; Elena of Avalor; Narcos; The Simpsons; Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D; Battlestar Galactica; Portlandia; Eureka; CSI: NY; Battlestar Galactica; Late Show with David Letterman (uncredited); Battlestar Galactica: Razor Flashbacks (Mini Series); George Lopez; The Batman; Greetings from Tucson; American Family; The Judge (Mini Series); The West Wing; Touched by an Angel; Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child; Gun; Dead Man's Walk (Mini Series); Dead Man's Walk (Mini Series); The Magic School Bus; 500 Nations ( Mini Series); The Wild West (Mini Series); Miami Vice; The Fortunate Pilgrim (Mini Series); Hill Street Blues; Faerie Tale Theatre; American Playhouse; The Fitzpatricks; Johnny Staccato; Rafferty; Visions; Hawaii Five-O; Starsky and Hutch; Police Woman; The Blue Knight; Kojak; Bronk; Cannon; Evening in Byzantium (Mini Series); CHiPs; and Police Story.
Video Games
- 1996: The Crystal Skull
Personal Life[]
Olmos was born and raised in Los Angeles. His parents separated when he was seven years old, and he was mostly raised by his great-grandparents. He grew up wanting to be a professional baseball player and, at age thirteen, he joined the Los Angeles Dodgers' farm system playing as a catcher. He left baseball at age fifteen to join a rock and roll band, which caused a rift with his father. He graduated from Montebello High School in 1964.
From 1979 to 1987, Olmos lived in West New York, New Jersey. In 1971, he married Katija Keel, the daughter of actor Howard Keel. They had two children, Bodie and Mico, before divorcing in 1992. Olmos has four adopted children. She filed for divorce in January 2002 after five years of separation. Olmos also had a long term relationship with actress Lymari Nadal. They married in 2002.
Trivia[]
- Asteroid 5608 Olmos is named in his honor.
- In 2007, after a seven-year process, he obtained Mexican nationality.
- In 1996, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from California State University, Fresno.
Gallery[]
