Edward James Olmos Biography

Date of Birth: February 24, 1947

Stage, films and TV, mustachioed, gaunt-faced, rugged-looked Los Angeles native Edward James Olmos has done it all with style and grace. The son of a Mexican born welder, Olmos grew up in rough patch of LA known as the Boyle's Heights barrio. But rather than getting ensnared in the area's endemic—and addictive—problems, Edward directed his energies into playing semi-pro baseball and music.

To help pay his way through East Los Angeles College and California State University (and, of course, to have fun) Edward put together a rock band called Eddie James and the Pacific Ocean that played local gigs. After University, Edward hooked up with the Lee Strasburg Institute for further dramatic studies and began landing small parts on such TV fare as Kojak and Hawaii Five-O—you can bet he wasn't cast as the good guy.

Edward's big break arrived in the form of a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award and a Tony nomination for his performance in the musical play Zoot Suit. An Oscar nomination followed for his portrayal of a math teacher trying to reach out to his students in Stand and Deliver.

He went on to star in The Green Hornet (2011), 2 Guns (2013) and Filly Brown (2013). His most recent work includes roles in films such as The Predator (2018) and A Dog's Way Home (2019).

Married to Puerto Rican actress Lymari Nadal since 2002, Edward has two sons from his 20-year marriage to first wife Kaija Keel, the daughter of 1950s movie star Howard Keel. The marriage ended in divorce in 1992. Edward was also married to actress Lorraine Bracco from 1994 to 2002. He makes his home in Encino, California.

Filmography

The Predator (2018)
Coco (2017)
2 Guns (2013)
The Green Hornet (2011)
America (2011)
Caught (1996)
Larry McMurty's Dead Man's Walk (1996)
The Limbic Region (1996)
Selena (1996)
Mirage (1995)
My Family/Mi Familia (1995)
Roosters (1995)
A Million to Juan (1994)
The Burning Season (1994)
Mirage (1994)
My Family (1994)
American Me (1992)
Talent for the Game (1991)
Triumph of the Spirit (1989)
Stand and Deliver (1988)
Saving Grace (1986)
The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez (1982)
Blade Runner (1982)
Wolfen (1981)
Zoot Suit (1981)
Virus (1980)
Alambrista! (1977)
Aloha, Bobby and Rose (1974)