Esai Morales: Difference between revisions
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In August, 2011, he starred in the [[drama]] film ''[[Gun Hill Road (film)|Gun Hill Road]]'', as Enrique.<ref name="FILMcritic.com">{{citation|url=http://www.filmcritic.com/reviews/2011/gun-hill-road/|title=Gun Hill Road}}</ref> He is currently starring in the web drama ''Los Americans'' airing on PIC.tv.<ref name="THECELEBRITYcafe.com">{{citation|url=http://thecelebritycafe.com/feature/interview-esai-morales-02-10-2011|title=Interview with Esai Morales}}</ref> |
In August, 2011, he starred in the [[drama]] film ''[[Gun Hill Road (film)|Gun Hill Road]]'', as Enrique.<ref name="FILMcritic.com">{{citation|url=http://www.filmcritic.com/reviews/2011/gun-hill-road/|title=Gun Hill Road}}</ref> He is currently starring in the web drama ''Los Americans'' airing on PIC.tv.<ref name="THECELEBRITYcafe.com">{{citation|url=http://thecelebritycafe.com/feature/interview-esai-morales-02-10-2011|title=Interview with Esai Morales}}</ref> |
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==Personal life== |
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Morales has described himself as an "actorvist",<ref name="PBS.org">{{citation|url=http://www.pbs.org/americanfamily/cast.html|title=Introducing the actors who bring American Family to life.}}</ref> primarily as one of the founders of the ''National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts'', taking inspiration from his mother, who was an organizer for the [[International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union]].<ref name="PRweb.com">{{citation|url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/8/prweb8687155.htm|title=ASHA and Film/TV Star Esai Morales Collaborate on Safe Listening Public Service Announcement}}</ref> He is also interested in environmental issues and was a founding board member of E.C.O. (Earth Communications Office).<ref name="GREATERtalent.com">{{citation|url=http://www.greatertalent.com/EsaiMorales/|title=Esai Morales Award-Winning Actor & Activist}}</ref> |
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In the February 28th, 2007 all-star [[Benefit concert|benefit]] reading of "The Gift of Peace" at [[UCLA]]'s Freud Playhouse, he portrays a hopeful member of a struggling [[immigration|immigrant]] family, and plays alongside actors [[Ed Asner]], [[Barbara Bain]], [[Amy Brenneman]], [[George Coe]], [[Wendie Malick]], and [[James Pickens, Jr.]]. The play is an open appeal and fundraiser for passage of [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House]] [[Resolution (law)|Resolution]] 808, which seeks to establish a [[Cabinet (government)|Cabinet]]-level "Department of Peace" in the [[U.S.]] government, to be funded by a two percent diversion of the [[United States Department of Defense|Pentagon]]'s annual budget.<ref name="THEGIFTOFpeace.org">{{citation|url=http://www.thegiftofpeace.org/|title=The Gift of Peace}}</ref> |
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Morales is a [[vegetarian]].<ref name="IVU.org">{{citation|url=http://www.ivu.org/people/actors/morales.html|title=Famous Vegetarians - Esai Morales}}</ref> He and girlfriend Elvimar Silva welcomed a little girl, Mariana Oiveira, in September 2010.<ref name="PEOPLE.com">{{citation|url=http://celebritybabies.people.com/2010/10/01/esai-morales-welcomes-daughter-mariana-oliveira/|title=Esai Morales Welcomes Daughter Mariana Oliveira}}</ref> |
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==Filmography== |
==Filmography== |
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Revision as of 15:58, 19 February 2012
Esai Morales | |
|---|---|
 Morales in 2009 | |
| Born | Esai Manuel Morales October 1, 1962[1] |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, producer, director, musician |
| Years active | 1982-present |
| Partner | Elvimar Silva (present) |
| Children | Mariana Oliveira Morales (born 2010) |
Esai Manuel Morales (born October 1, 1962) is an American actor. He is well known for his role as Bob Morales in the 1987 biopic La Bamba. He also appeared in the PBS drama American Family and in the Showtime series Resurrection Blvd.. However, he is best known for his roles as Lt. Tony Rodriguez on NYPD Blue and Joseph Adama in the science fiction television series Caprica.
Early life
Morales is of Puerto Rican descent and was born in Brooklyn, New York to parents Iris Margarita (née Declet), a union activist involved with the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union, and Esai Morales, Sr., a welder.[3] Morales began his pursuit of an acting career by attending the School of Performing Arts in Manhattan.[4]Has a sister named Monica who worked for an insurance company.
Career
His first professional performances were in theater and television in New York, and his first film—Bad Boys, about teenagers in prison—was released in 1983. He played the ex-convict and biker half-brother of 1950s rock and roll singer Ritchie Valens in the 1987 movie La Bamba. Some of his other roles have reflected his socio-political interests, such as The Burning Season in 1994, My Family/Mi Familia in 1995, The Disappearance of Garcia Lorca in 1997, and Southern Cross in 1999.[5] In the last three films, as well as in a few others such as Bloodhounds of Broadway in 1989 and Rapa Nui in 1994, Morales was increased amounts of screen time. He portrayed a police officer with the film Dogwatch in 1996. He played Father Herrera in The Virgin of Juarez.[6] Morales appeared on television in the mid-1980s, on Fame. He co-starred with Burt Lancaster in the NBC-TV miniseries, On Wings of Eagles, playing the Iranian Rashid, the hero of this true story about Ross Perot. Morales has also appeared in Miami Vice, The Equalizer, and 24.
In the 1990s, he guest-starred on episodes of The Outer Limits, Tales from the Crypt, and two shorter-lived series, L.A. Doctors and The Hunger. He was a featured TV actor, seen in a two-part episode of Family Law in 2000. His tenure on NYPD Blue as the head of the 15th precinct detective squad began in mid-season 2001 and continued until 2004 when he decided to cancel his contract. In 1994 he was in the Pauly Shore film In The Army Now. Paid in Full was scheduled for release in October 2002. It marked a return to a criminal character such as those in his previous roles - in this case he played a drug dealer named Lulu.
In 2005, he (along with Mercedes Ruehl) received the Rita Moreno HOLA Award for Excellence from the Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA). That same year, he contributed his voice acting to the video game True Crime: New York City, playing Sgt. Victor Navarro.
He was also cast in the film American Fusion,[7] and on June 19, 2006, he joined the cast of Fox's series Vanished, as FBI agent Michael Tyner alongside actors Gale Harold and Ming-Na. The series was later canceled.[8] In 2007, he completed filming for Kill Kill Faster Faster, a contemporary film noir inspired by the critically acclaimed novel of the same name by Joel Rose. In 2007, Morales appeared in an episode of the USA Network comedy-drama series "Burn Notice" as a Cuban shopkeeper being shaken down for "protection" money by local criminals. In early 2008, Morales had a role in the CBS drama Jericho as Major Edward Beck. He appeared in all seven episodes of the shortened second season.
On May 7, 2008, it was announced that Morales would play the role of Joseph Adama in the science fiction television series Caprica – Syfy's prequel to the series Battlestar Galactica.[9][10] The series premiered on January 22, 2010.
In August, 2011, he starred in the drama film Gun Hill Road, as Enrique.[11] He is currently starring in the web drama Los Americans airing on PIC.tv.[12]
Personal life
Morales has described himself as an "actorvist",[13] primarily as one of the founders of the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts, taking inspiration from his mother, who was an organizer for the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union.[14] He is also interested in environmental issues and was a founding board member of E.C.O. (Earth Communications Office).[15]
In the February 28th, 2007 all-star benefit reading of "The Gift of Peace" at UCLA's Freud Playhouse, he portrays a hopeful member of a struggling immigrant family, and plays alongside actors Ed Asner, Barbara Bain, Amy Brenneman, George Coe, Wendie Malick, and James Pickens, Jr.. The play is an open appeal and fundraiser for passage of U.S. House Resolution 808, which seeks to establish a Cabinet-level "Department of Peace" in the U.S. government, to be funded by a two percent diversion of the Pentagon's annual budget.[16]
Morales is a vegetarian.[17] He and girlfriend Elvimar Silva welcomed a little girl, Mariana Oiveira, in September 2010.[3]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Forty Deuce | Mitchell | |
| 1983 | Bad Boys | Paco Moreno | |
| 1986 | Rainy Day Friends | Neekos Valdez | |
| 1987 | La Bamba | Bob Morales | |
| 1987 | The Principal | Raymi Rojas | |
| 1989 | Bloodhounds of Broadway | Handsome Jack | |
| 1990 | Naked Tango | Zico Borenstein | |
| 1992 | Ultraviolet | Nicholas Walker | |
| 1992 | Freejack | Ripper | |
| 1993 | The Waiter | Julius | |
| 1993 | Living and Working in Space: The Countdown Has Begun | Kenny | Direct-to-video |
| 1994 | Rapa Nui | Make | |
| 1994 | Don't Do It | Charles | |
| 1994 | In the Army Now | Sgt. Stern | |
| 1995 | My Family | Chucho | |
| 1996 | Livers Ain't Cheap | Collin | |
| 1996 | Dog Watch | Murrow | Direct-to-video |
| 1996 | Scorpion Spring | Astor | |
| 1997 | The Disappearance of Garcia Lorca | Ricardo | |
| 1998 | The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit | Dominguez | |
| 1999 | Southern Cross | Philip Solano | |
| 2000 | American Virgin | Jim the Director | |
| 2000 | Spin Cycle | Nickens | |
| 2000 | Doomsday Man | Mike | second unit director |
| 2002 | The Adventures of Tom Thumb & Thumbelina | Vergas Mouse (voice) | Direct-to-video |
| 2002 | Paid in Full | Lulu | |
| 2005 | Once Upon a Wedding | Pineda | |
| 2005 | American Fusion | Jose | |
| 2006 | The Virgin of Juarez | Father Herrera | |
| 2006 | Fast Food Nation | Tony | |
| 2006 | How to Go Out on a Date in Queens | Frankie | |
| 2008 | Kill Kill Faster Faster | Markie | |
| 2008 | La Linea | Pelon | |
| 2010 | Cherry | Wes | |
| 2010 | King of the Avenue | Natas | |
| 2011 | Gun Hill Road | Enrique | |
| 2011 | Lives of the Saints | n/a | in production |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | ABC Afterschool Special | Miguel Rados | Episode: "The Great Love Experiment" |
| 1985 | The Equalizer | Officer Miguel Canterra | Episode: "Lady Cop" |
| 1985 | Fame | George | Episode: "Savage Streets" |
| 1985-1987 | Miami Vice | Pete Romano/Felipe Cruz | Episodes: "The Home Invaders" "God's Work" |
| 1986 | On Wings of Eagles | Rashid | TV mini-series |
| 1989 | The Twilight Zone | Jesse Cardiff | Episode: "A Game of Pool" |
| 1991-1992 | The Legend of Prince Valiant | n/a (voice) | Episodes: "The Visitor" "The Trap" |
| 1992 | Bay City Story | Jim Duran | TV movie |
| 1994 | The Burning Season | Jair | TV movie |
| 1994 | Tales from the Crypt | Puck | Episode: "The Bribe" |
| 1995 | Deadlocked: Escape from Zone 14 | Tony Archer | TV movie |
| 1996 | Dying to Be Perfect: The Ellen Hart Pena Story | Federico Peña | TV movie |
| 1997 | The Outer Limits | Frank Kelton | Episode: "Heart's Desire" |
| 1997 | The Hunger | Tony | Episode: "I'm Dangerous Tonight" |
| 1998 | Adventures from the Book of Virtues | Guillermo (voice) | Episode: "Charity" |
| 1998 | Circle of Deceit | Jeff Silva | TV movie |
| 1999 | L.A. Doctors | Vince Duralde | Episode: "The Life Lost in Living" |
| 1999 | Atomic Train | Noris MacKenzie | TV movie |
| 2000 | A Family in Crisis: The Elian Gonzales Story | Juan Miguel Gonzalez | TV movie |
| 2000 | Family Law | Mr. Santiago | Episode: "Telling Lies, Conclusion" |
| 2000-2002 | Resurrection Blvd. | Paco Corrales | 7 episodes |
| 2001-2004 | NYPD Blue | Lt. Tony Rodriguez | Series regular |
| 2002 | American Family | Esteban Gonzalez | 8 episodes |
| 2002 | George Lopez | Manny Lopez | Episode: "Who's Your Daddy?" |
| 2002-2003 | Dora the Explorer | Papi | Episodes: "El Dia De Las Madres" "A Present for Santa" "Super Map" "Click" "Egg Hunt" |
| 2004 | Sudbury | n/a | TV movie |
| 2005 | Heartless | Rick Benes/David Lopez | TV movie |
| 2005 | Freddie | Carlos | Episode: "The Courtship of Freddie's Father" |
| 2005 | Behind the Mask of Zorro | Narrator | TV documentary (co-producer) |
| 2006 | Company Town | Ray Dupre | TV movie |
| 2006 | Vanished | Michael Tyner | 11 episodes |
| 2007 | The Cure | Jorge | TV movie |
| 2007 | 24: Day 6 Debrief | Agent Jorge Ramirez | Episodes: "9:00 p.m." "9:42 p.m." "10:31 p.m." "10:33 p.m." "10:37 p.m." |
| 2007 | Burn Notice | Ernie Paseo | Episode: "Broken Rules" |
| 2008 | Jericho | Major Edward Beck | 7 episodes |
| 2009-2010 | Caprica | Joseph Adama | Series regular |
| 2010 | CSI: Miami | Stephen Madsen | Episode: "All Fall Down" |
| 2011 | Los Americans | Lee Valenzuela | 8 episodes (producer) |
| 2011 | Fairly Legal | D.A. Aaron Davidson | Episode: "Bo Me Once" |
| 2011 | Seattle Superstorm | Tom | TV movie |
| 2012 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Jimmy Vasquez | Episode: "Home Invasions" |
Video games
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | True Crime: New York City | Captain Victor Navarro | voice |
References
- ^ Esai Morales Biography
- ^ Esai Morales Biography
- ^ a b Esai Does It Cite error: The named reference "PEOPLE.com" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ Esai Morales Biography
- ^ Southern Cross (1999)
- ^ Esai Morales Videos
- ^ Cast
- ^ Vanished: Watch the Last Episode of the Cancelled TV Show
- ^ Esai Morales Cast on Caprica — as Adama's Father
- ^ Caprica star Esai Morales sees parallels with these great stories
- ^ Gun Hill Road
- ^ Interview with Esai Morales
- ^ Introducing the actors who bring American Family to life.
- ^ ASHA and Film/TV Star Esai Morales Collaborate on Safe Listening Public Service Announcement
- ^ Esai Morales Award-Winning Actor & Activist
- ^ The Gift of Peace
- ^ Famous Vegetarians - Esai Morales