Danny Trejo(I)
- Actor
- Producer
- Additional Crew
Danny Trejo was born Dan Trejo in Echo Park, Los Angeles, to Alice
(Rivera) and Dan Trejo, a construction worker. A child drug addict and
criminal, Trejo was in and out of jail for 11 years. While serving time
in San Quentin, he won the lightweight and welterweight boxing titles.
Imprisoned for armed robbery and drug offenses, he successfully
completed a 12-step rehabilitation program that changed his life. While
speaking at a Cocaine Anonymous meeting in 1985, Trejo met a young man
who later called him for support. Trejo went to meet him at what turned
out to be the set of
Runaway Train (1985). Trejo was
immediately offered a role as a convict extra, probably because of his
tough tattooed appearance. Also on the set was a screenwriter who did
time with Trejo in San Quentin. Remembering Trejo's boxing skills, the
screenwriter offered him $320 per day to train the actors for a boxing
match. Director
Andrei Konchalovsky saw Trejo
training Eric Roberts and
immediately offered him a featured role as Roberts' opponent in the
film. Trejo has subsequently appeared in many other films, usually as a
tough criminal or villain.
Trejo is of Mexican descent.
Trejo is of Mexican descent.
Greatest Character Actors of All Time
Greatest Character Actors of All Time
The talented actors totally transform for their roles. How many do you recognize?
