Editing Edward James Olmos

{{short description|American actor (born 1947)}}
{{Use American English|date = October 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date = October 2019}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Edward James Olmos
| image              = Edward James Olmos by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| caption            = Olmos at the 2018 [[San Diego Comic-Con]]
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1947|2|24}} 
| birth_place        = [[East Los Angeles]], [[California]], U.S.
| birth_name         = Edward Huizar Olmos<ref name="legends">Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/pHfzpLDxkXE Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20200428052453/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHfzpLDxkXE Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite news|title=Edward James Olmos Interview Part 1 of 3|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHfzpLDxkXE|access-date=January 10, 2017|publisher=[[YouTube]]|work=Archive of American Television|date=June 18, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
| death_date         = 
| death_place        = 
| resting_place      = 
| citizenship        = {{hlist|United States|Mexico}}
| occupation         = {{hlist|Actor|director|producer|activist}}
| years_active       = 1974–present
| spouse             = {{plainlist|
*{{marriage|Kaija Keel|1971|1992|end=divorced}}
*{{marriage|[[Lorraine Bracco]]|1994|2002|end=divorced}}
*{{marriage|[[Lymari Nadal]]|2002|2013|end=separated}}}}
| children           = 6
}}

'''Edward James Olmos''' (born February 24, 1947) is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Detective [[List of Blade Runner (franchise) characters#Gaff|Gaff]] in ''[[Blade Runner]]'' (1982) and its sequel ''[[Blade Runner 2049]]'' (2017), Lieutenant Martin "Marty" Castillo in ''[[Miami Vice]]'' (1984–1989), high school math teacher [[Jaime Escalante]] in ''[[Stand and Deliver]]'' (1988), Montoya Santana in ''[[American Me]]'' (1992) (which he also directed), [[William Adama]] in the reimagined ''[[Battlestar Galactica (2004 TV series)|Battlestar Galactica]]'' (2004–2009), and the voice of Mito in the 2005 English dub of ''[[Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (film)|Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind]]''.  

For his work in ''Miami Vice'', Olmos won the 1985 [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]], as well as the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film]]. For his performance in ''Stand and Deliver'', Olmos was nominated for an [[Academy Award for Best Actor]] and a [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama]].

He is also known for his roles as folk hero [[Gregorio Cortez]] in ''[[The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez]]'', patriarch [[Abraham Quintanilla]] in the film ''[[Selena (film)|Selena]]'', Felipe Reyes in ''[[Mayans M.C.]]'', the voice of Chief Tannabok in ''[[The Road to El Dorado]]'', narrator El Pachuco in both the stage and [[Zoot Suit (film)|film]] versions of [[Zoot Suit (play)|''Zoot Suit'']], and the voice of Chicharrón in ''[[Coco (2017 film)|Coco]]''. 

Over the course of his career, Olmos has been a pioneer for more diversified roles and images of Latinos in American media.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzosYIbFARM|title=Edward James Olmos: The Complete Pioneers of Television Interview|work=YouTube|date=June 18, 2022|access-date=October 17, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Del Barco|first=Mandalit|date=15 September 2022|title=Latino legends helped pave the way in Hollywood, but the road is still rocky|work=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/2022/09/15/1121331955/hispanic-actors-latino-representation-hollywood-movies-legends|access-date=October 17, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Edward James Olmos on strengthening Latino culture in film|work=WQAD-TV|url=https://www.wqad.com/article/news/local/drone/8-in-the-air/edward-james-olmos-on-strengthening-latino-culture-in-film/526-567f3c81-4192-43ea-aa37-f1877a4fffba|date=August 14, 2019|access-date=October 17, 2022}}</ref> His other notable direction, production, and starring roles for films, [[Television film|made-for-TV movies]], and TV shows include ''[[Wolfen (film)|Wolfen]]'', ''[[Triumph of the Spirit]]'', ''[[Talent for the Game]]'', ''[[American Me]]'', ''[[The Burning Season (1994 film)|The Burning Season]]'', ''[[My Family (1995 film)|My Family]]'', ''[[Caught (1996 film)|Caught]]'', ''[[12 Angry Men (1997 film)|12 Angry Men]]'', ''[[The Disappearance of Garcia Lorca]]'', ''[[Walkout (film)|Walkout]]'', ''[[The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit]]'', ''[[American Family (2002 TV series)|American Family]]'', and ''[[Dexter (TV series)|Dexter]]''.

==Early life==
Olmos was born and raised in [[East Los Angeles]], [[California]], the son of Eleanor ([[married and maiden names|née]] Huizar) and Pedro Olmos, who was a welder and mail carrier.<ref>[http://www.filmreference.com/film/83/Edward-James-Olmos.html "Edward James Olmos Biography (1946–2010)"] filmreference.com, accessed 19 October 2009</ref> His father was a [[Mexicans|Mexican]] immigrant who moved to California in 1945 and his mother was an American of Mexican descent.<ref name="legends"/><ref>Velazquez, Gabriela (1 December 2003) [http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-4253353_ITM "Edward James Olmos: fighting for justice and defying gangsters: on charity boards, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Oscar Nominee"] ''Latino Leaders'', accessed 19 October 2009</ref> His parents divorced when he was seven years old, and he was primarily raised by his great-grandparents as his parents worked.<ref name="legends"/> He grew up wanting to be a professional [[baseball]] player, and at age 13 joined the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]]' [[farm system]], as a [[catcher]]. He left baseball at age 15 to join a [[rock and roll]] band, which caused a rift with his father, who was hurt by the decision.<ref name="legends"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Baseball Discovered: Who's Who: Edward James Olmos|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/mediacenter/baseball_discovered/whoswho.jsp?content=edward_james_olmos|access-date=January 10, 2017|work=Major League Baseball}}</ref>

He graduated from [[Montebello High School]] in 1964. While there he lost a race for Student Body President to future California [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] Chair [[Art Torres]]. In his teen years, he was the lead singer for a [[psychedelic rock|psychedelic]]/[[hard rock]] band he named Pacific Ocean, so called because it was to be "the biggest thing on the West Coast".<ref name=BSG>[http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/cast/adama/ Cast:William Adama] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080330025133/http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/cast/adama/ |date=March 30, 2008 }}, scifi.com, accessed 2 December 2006</ref> At the same time, he attended classes at [[East Los Angeles College]], including courses in acting.<ref>Bethel, Kari Francisco (2002) "Edward James Olmos" pp. 155-159 in Henderson, Ashyia N. (editor) (2002) ''Contemporary Hispanic Biography, Volume 1''  Gale, Detroit, page 156, {{ISBN|0-7876-6538-X}}</ref> 

For several years, Pacific Ocean (later renamed Eddie James and The Pacific Ocean) performed at various clubs in and around Los Angeles,<ref>{{Cite web |date=1968-05-09 |title=The Van Nuys News from Van Nuys, California |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/24204699/ |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1968-12-02 |title=The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/383058214/ |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en-US}}</ref> and released the album ''Purgatory'' via VMC Records in late 1968.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1969-01-19 |title=The Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/118402956/ |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1969-01-24 |title=The Solano-Napa News Chronicle from Vallejo, California |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1035668980/ |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en-US}}</ref> The album was promoted with two singles, "I Can't Stand It"/"I Wanna Testify," and "My Shrink"/"16 Tons," and was followed by a nation-wide tour in early 1969.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1969-02-10 |title=The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/383020583/ |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=1969-03-08 |title=Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph from Colorado Springs, Colorado |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/62546532/ |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en-US}}</ref> While setting up for a Pacific Ocean show one night, Olmos slipped on stage and landed on a nail that went through his knee.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1969-02-04 |title=The El Dorado Times from El Dorado, Arkansas |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/35098508/ |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Another time during a concert, Olmos jumped from the top of an organ across the stage into the drum set, getting knocked unconscious and dislocating the drummer's shoulder.<ref name=":0" /> 

==Career==
=== Theater ===
In the late 1960s and the early 1970s, Olmos branched out from music into acting, appearing in many small productions, until his big break portraying the narrator, called "El Pachuco", in the play ''[[Zoot Suit (play)|Zoot Suit]]'', which dramatized the [[World War II]]-era rioting in [[California]] brought about by the tensions between Mexican-Americans and local police, called the [[Zoot Suit riots]]. The play moved to Broadway, and Olmos earned a [[Tony Award]] nomination. He subsequently took the role to the [[Zoot Suit (film)|filmed version]] in 1981, and appeared in many other films including ''[[Wolfen (film)|Wolfen]]'', ''[[Blade Runner]]'' and ''[[The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez]]''. Olmos has been a frequent guest narrator at [[Disney's Candlelight Processional]] at [[Walt Disney World]], narrating the [[nativity story]]. <ref>[https://www.pressenterprise.com/2012/12/06/disneyland-edward-james-olmos-narrates-candlelight-ceremony-2/ ''PressEnterprise.Com'' Disneyland Olmos Narrates]accessed 08-19-2023</ref>

=== Film and television ===
[[File:Edward James Olmos March 2008 (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|upright|Olmos in 2008]]

In 1980, Olmos was cast in the post-apocalyptic science fiction film ''[[Virus (1980 film)|Virus]]'' (復活の日 ''Fukkatsu no Hi''), directed by [[Kinji Fukasaku]] and based on a novel written by Sakyo Komatsu.  His role required him to play a piano while singing a Spanish ballad during the later part of the film. Although not a box office success, ''Virus'' was notable for being the most expensive Japanese film made at the time.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i3P2EAAAQBAJ&dq=edward+james+olmos+virus+japanese+expensive&pg=PA51|title=Diseased Cinema: Plagues, Pandemics and Zombies in American Movies|isbn=978-1-3995-2167-3 |last1=Alpert |first1=Robert |last2=Eisenberg |first2=Merle |last3=Mordechai |first3=Lee |date=September 29, 2023 }}</ref>

From 1984 to 1989, he starred in his biggest role up to that date as the taciturn police Lieutenant [[Martin Castillo (Miami Vice character)|Martin Castillo]] in the television series ''[[Miami Vice]]'', opposite [[Don Johnson]] and [[Philip Michael Thomas]], for which he was awarded a [[Golden Globe Award|Golden Globe]] and an [[Emmy Award|Emmy]] in 1985. At this time, Olmos also starred in a short training video for the [[United States Postal Service]] entitled ''Was it Worth It?'', a video about theft in the workplace. He was contacted about playing the captain of the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D}} on ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' when it was in pre-production in 1986, but declined.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-ca-battlestar30mar30-story.html|title='Battlestar's' last roundup|first=Geoff|last=Boucher|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=March 30, 2008}}</ref>

Returning to film, Olmos became the first American-born Hispanic to receive an [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Academy Award nomination for Best Actor]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Nominee - Edward James Olmos - ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE -- Stand and Deliver |url=http://awardsdatabase.oscars.org/Search/GetResults?query=%7B%22Nominee%22:%22edward%20james%20olmos%22,%22Sort%22:%221-Nominee-Alpha%22,%22Search%22:%22Basic%22%7D |publisher=Oscars.org |access-date=7 October 2020}}</ref> for his portrayal of real-life math teacher [[Jaime Escalante]] in ''[[Stand and Deliver]]''. He directed and starred in the controversial crime film ''[[American Me]]'' in 1992, and also starred in ''[[My Family (1995 film)|My Family]]'', a multi-generational story of a [[Chicano]] family. He had a slight appearance in the video of the American rock band [[Toto (band)|Toto]], "[[I Will Remember]]" (1995), where he can be seen with actor [[Miguel Ferrer]]. In 1997, he starred alongside [[Jennifer Lopez]] in the film ''[[Selena (film)|Selena]]''. Olmos played [[Dominican Republic]] dictator [[Rafael Trujillo]] in the 2001 film ''[[In the Time of the Butterflies (film)|In the Time of the Butterflies]]''. He had a recurring role as U.S. Supreme Court Justice Roberto Mendoza in the [[NBC]] drama ''[[The West Wing]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=report |first=Times staff |title=Movie, TV, stage star Edward James Olmos to appear at 2023 Plaza Classic Film Festival |url=https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/entertainment/movies/2023/06/08/star-edward-james-olmos-to-appear-at-2023-plaza-classic-film-festival/70302939007/ |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=El Paso Times |language=en-US}}</ref> From 2002 to 2004, he starred as a recently widowed father of a Hispanic family in the [[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]] drama ''[[American Family: Journey of Dreams]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=American Family. About the Series |url=https://www.pbs.org/americanfamily/series.html |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=PBS}}</ref>

[[File:Edward James Olmos (Festival Internacional de Cine en Guadalajara).jpg|thumb|upright|Olmos at the 2010 [[Guadalajara International Film Festival]]]]

From 2003 to 2009, he starred as Commander [[William Adama]] in the [[Syfy|Sci-Fi Channel]]'s [[Battlestar Galactica (re-imagining)|reimagined]] ''[[Battlestar Galactica]]'' [[Battlestar Galactica (miniseries)|miniseries]], and in the [[Battlestar Galactica (2004 TV series)|television series]] that followed. He directed four episodes of the show, "[[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]" (1.9), "[[Taking a Break from All Your Worries]]" (3.13), "[[Escape Velocity (Battlestar Galactica)|Escape Velocity]]" (4.4), and "[[Islanded in a Stream of Stars]]" (4.18). He directed a television film based upon the show, ''[[Battlestar Galactica: The Plan|The Plan]]''. Regarding his work on the show, he told [[CraveOnline]], "I'm very grateful for the work that I've been able to do in my life, but I can honestly tell you, this is the best usage of television I've ever been a part of to date."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.craveonline.com/filmtv/articles/04648042/edward_james_olmos_so_say_we_all.html|title=Edward James Olmos: So say we all|date=June 15, 2023 }}</ref>

In 2006, he co-produced, directed, and played the bit part of [[Julian Nava]] in the [[HBO]] film about the 1968 [[Chicano Blowouts]], ''[[Walkout (film)|Walkout]]''.<ref name=LAT>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-mar-18-et-walkout18-story.html|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|title='Walkout' in step with 1968|author=Lloyd, Robert|date=March 18, 2006}}</ref> He appeared in [[Snoop Dogg]]'s music video "[[Vato (song)|Vato]]". In the series finale of the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] sitcom ''[[George Lopez (TV series)|George Lopez]]'', titled "George Decides to Sta-Local Where It's Familia"; he guest-starred as the plant's new multi-millionaire owner. He has been a spokesperson for [[Farmers Insurance Group]], starring in their Spanish language commercials.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Farmers Insurance Emphasizes 'Right Fit' Coverages for Consumers in New Ad Campaign Featuring Renown Actor/Director Edward James Olmos |url=https://newsroom.farmers.com/2009-07-13-Farmers-Insurance-Emphasizes-Right-Fit-Coverages-for-Consumers-in-New-Ad-Campaign-Featuring-Renown-Actor-Director-Edward-James-Olmos |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=MediaRoom |language=en}}</ref>

Olmos joined the cast of the television series ''[[Dexter (TV series)|Dexter]]'' for its sixth season, as a "brilliant, charismatic professor of religious studies".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/05/24/olmos-joins-dexter/|title=Edward James Olmos joins Dexter}}</ref>

Olmos starred in the second season of ''[[Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.]]'' as [[Robert Gonzales (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Robert Gonzales]], the leader of a rival faction of S.H.I.E.L.D., for five episodes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-03-31 |title=Why Edward James Olmos Calls Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. "One of the High Points of My Career" |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/641054/why-edward-james-olmos-calls-agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-one-of-the-high-points-of-my-career |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=E! Online}}</ref>

===Music===
In 1967, Olmos – as Eddie James (vocals, keyboards) – formed the bluesy psyche rock band that would become ''Pacific Ocean'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/2781571-Pacific-Ocean-3|title = Pacific Ocean (3)| website=[[Discogs]] }}</ref> who the following year released their self-titled, only LP.

In 1972, he contributed backing vocals to the final song on [[Todd Rundgren]]'s ''[[Something/Anything?]]'' album.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thers500.com/albums/173-todd-rundgren-somethinganything-1972|title = #173: Todd Rundgren, "Something/Anything?" (1972)| date=November 24, 2017 }}</ref>

== Social and political activism ==
[[File:Edward James Olmos 2009 Inaugural Ceremony (cropped).JPG|left|thumb|upright|Olmos in 2009]]

Olmos has often been involved in social activism, especially that affecting the U.S. Hispanic community. During the [[1992 Los Angeles riot]] in Los Angeles, Olmos went out with a broom<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/rodney-king-los-angeles-riots-20-anniversary-trayvon-martin-317547|title=The L.A. Riots at 20: Edward James Olmos Remembers 'All-Out War' in Hollywood|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=April 27, 2012}}</ref> and worked to get communities cleaned up and rebuilt.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-05-05-me-1365-story.html|title=Street Drama : Actor Edward James Olmos Plays Leading Role in Cleanup Effort|first=TRACY|last=WILKINSON|date=5 May 1992|via=LA Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Three-Lives-Changed-by-the-Rodney-King-Riots-148818655.html|title=LA Riots: Olmos "Just Started Sweeping"|date=April 25, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laweekly.com/2007-05-10/la-life/edward-james-olmos/|title=Edward James Olmos|first=Scott|last=Foundas|date=9 May 2007}}</ref> He also attended an episode of ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]'' relating to the L.A. riots as an audience member. In 1997, he co-founded the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival<ref>[http://latinofilm.org Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130040923/http://latinofilm.org/ |date=2009-01-30 }}</ref> with Marlene Dermer, George Hernandez and Kirk Whisler. That same year, he co-founded with Kirk Whisler the non-profit organization, Latino Literacy Now, that has produced Latino Book & Festivals<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lbff.us|title=Latino Book & Family Festivals|website=lbff.us}}</ref> around the US, attended by over 700,000 people.

[[File:Westlake Theatre-1.jpg|thumb|[[Westlake, Los Angeles|Westlake]] Theatre building, side wall mural of [[Jaime Escalante]] and Edward James Olmos]]

In 1998, he founded [[Latino Public Broadcasting]] and serves as its chairman. Latino Public Broadcasting funds public television programming that focuses on issues affecting Hispanics and advocates for diverse perspectives in public television. That same year, he starred in ''[[The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit]]''. In 1999, Olmos was one of the driving forces that created ''Americanos: Latino Life in the U.S.,''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Edward James Olmos to headline Hispanic Heritage Month at UD |url=https://www1.udel.edu/PR/UDaily/01-02/olmos082702.html |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=www1.udel.edu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Books and Authors: The Denver Post |url=https://extras.denverpost.com/books/bkamericano0425.htm |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=extras.denverpost.com}}</ref> a book project featuring over 30 award-winning photographers, later turned into a [[Smithsonian]] traveling exhibition, music CD and [[HBO]] special.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leydon |first=Joe |date=2000-03-13 |title=Americanos: Latino Life in the United States |url=https://variety.com/2000/film/reviews/americanos-latino-life-in-the-united-states-1200461257/ |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

He also makes frequent appearances at juvenile halls and detention centers to speak to at-risk teenagers. He has also been an international ambassador for [[United Nations Children's Fund|UNICEF]]. In 2001, he was arrested and spent 20 days in jail for taking part in the [[Navy-Vieques protests]] against [[United States Navy]] target practice bombings of the island of [[Vieques, Puerto Rico]]. On January 5, 2007, he blamed the United States government for not cleaning Vieques after the U.S. Navy stopped using the island for bombing practice.<ref>{{YouTube|MnTNVhg9sFk|Edward James Olmos speaking on Vieques}}</ref>

Olmos narrated the 1999 documentary film ''Zapatista'', in support of the [[Zapatista Army of National Liberation]], a revolutionary group that has abstained from using weapons since 1994. He gave $2,300 to [[Governor of New Mexico|New Mexico governor]] [[Bill Richardson]] for his presidential campaign (the maximum amount for the primaries).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/|title=HuffPost - Breaking News, U.S. and World News}}</ref> In 2020, he supported [[Joe Biden]] for President.<ref>{{Cite web |title=George Lopez just wants Latinos to vote, Edward James Olmos admits he's backing Biden |url=https://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/nation/2020/10/15/george-lopez-just-wants-latinos-vote-edward-james-olmos-admits-hes-backing-biden/3661478001/ |access-date=2022-07-24 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref>

Olmos has also vocally supported various animal rights causes over the years. In 2015 Olmos contributed his voice to the [[Unity (film)]], which calls for a transformation in humanity's treatment of animals and the natural world. Since 2015, Olmos has been a vegan.<ref> {{Cite web |title=How Edward James Olmos Plans a 120-Year Life
|url=https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/television/info-2021/edward-james-olmos-interview.html?_ga=2.90155672.28609816.1714619790-337671828.1714619790 |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=AARP |language=en-US}}</ref> He has worked with [[PETA]] on a number of campaigns (such as in radio and TV ads calling for humans to keep their pets indoors during fireworks, and voicing the Coyote in their "Council of Animals" sculpture)<ref> {{Cite web |title=The Coyote's Speech From 'The Council of Animals (What to Do About the Humans)'
|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHhnEaeF-Vc&ab_channel=PETA%28PeoplefortheEthicalTreatmentofAnimals%29 |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=www.youtube.com | date=August 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref> and in September 2023 was awarded a Humanitarian Award by the organization.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Edward James Olmos Honored by PETA for Challenging Speciesism
|url=https://www.peta.org/media/news-releases/edward-james-olmos-honored-by-peta-for-challenging-speciesism/ |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=PETA |date=September 11, 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref>

He is a supporter of [[SENS Research Foundation]], a nonprofit organization dedicated to treating and curing diseases of aging by repairing the underlying damage caused by aging. He narrated a series of animations explaining the concept of SENS.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sens.org/outreach|title=Outreach|date=4 November 2012}}</ref>

==Personal life==
From 1979 to 1987, Olmos lived in [[West New York, New Jersey]].<ref>{{cite news | work=[[The Jersey Journal]] | last=Cerbo | first=Toni-Ann | date=December 1, 2010 | title=Edward James Olmos has fond memories of living in West New York while he built stage career | url=http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/westny/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1291188339100940.xml&coll=3 | access-date=June 12, 2012 | quote=Before Edward James Olmos was an award-winning actor, producer and social activist, he was a West New York resident. From 1979 to 1987, Olmos rented an apartment on Boulevard East after departing East L.A., he said. | archive-date=October 13, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013215336/http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/westny/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1291188339100940.xml&coll=3 | url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1971, he married Kaija Keel, the daughter of actor [[Howard Keel]]. They had two children, Bodie and Mico, before divorcing in 1992. Olmos has four adopted children: Daniela, Michael, Brandon, and Tamiko. He married actress [[Lorraine Bracco]] in 1994. She filed for divorce in January 2002 after five years of separation.<ref name="BSG" /> Olmos had a long-term relationship with actress [[Lymari Nadal]]. They married in 2002,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.latina.com/entertainment/buzz/celebrity-couples-age-difference|title=10 Celebrity Couples With A Huge Age Difference|work=[[Latina (magazine)|Latina]]|date=7 November 2013}}</ref> and separated in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metro.pr/pr/entretener/2013/03/24/actores-lymari-nadal-edward-james-olmos-siguen-separados.html|title=Actores Lymari Nadal y Edward James Olmos siguen separados|website=Metro.pr|language=es|date=24 March 2013}}</ref>

In 1993, Olmos was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.) degree from [[Whittier College]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.whittier.edu/alumni/poetnation/honorary|title=Honorary Degrees {{!}} Whittier College|website=www.whittier.edu|access-date=2020-02-19}}</ref>

In 1996, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from California State University, Fresno. In 2007, after a seven-year process, he obtained Mexican nationality.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://impreso.milenio.com/node/7153394 |title=Ya es mexicano James Olmos &#124; Ediciones Impresas Milenio |access-date=2011-08-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113185027/http://impreso.milenio.com/node/7153394 |archive-date=2012-01-13}}.</ref> [[Asteroid]] [[5608 Olmos]] is named in his honor.

In 2022, Olmos was diagnosed with throat cancer and immediately went into chemotherapy for treatment. By the end of the year, the cancer went into remission. This was not made public until May 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/irl/news/mayans-mc-edward-james-olmos-cancer-diagnosis/|title=Mayans MC and Battlestar Galactica Star Edward James Olmos Speaks Out on Cancer Diagnosis|website=Comic Book|last=Burlingame|first=Russ|date=May 29, 2023|access-date=May 29, 2023}}</ref>

=== Sexual assault accusations ===
In 1992, a teenage girl accused Olmos of twice touching her in a sexual manner while they watched TV and flirted together.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/35628/police-drop-olmos-sex-probe|title=Police Drop Olmos Sex Probe|work=E! Online|access-date=2018-02-28|language=en-US}}</ref> Olmos paid the family a cash settlement of $150,000 in response to the allegations, but denied that they were true. He claimed that the settlement was in fact meant to protect his son, Bodie Olmos, not him.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/features/1983/|title=Scenes From a Bad Movie Marriage|website=NYMag.com|date=January 12, 1998 |access-date=2018-02-28}}</ref>

In 1997, a woman accused Olmos of sexually assaulting her in a South Carolina hotel room.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/35613/edward-james-olmos-accused-of-sexual-assault|title=Edward James Olmos Accused of Sexual Assault|work=E! Online|access-date=2018-02-28|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/f448714491b9cd3b3de89a2bc827c436|title=Actor Edward James Olmos is accused of sexual assault|website=www.apnewsarchive.com|access-date=2018-02-28}}</ref>

==Filmography==
[[File:Edward James Olmos at Filly Brown Miami premiere (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|Olmos at the 2013 [[Miami International Film Festival]]]]

===Film===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 1974
| ''Black Fist''
| Junkie in Bathroom
| [[Cameo appearance|Uncredited]]
|-
| 1975
| ''[[Aloha Bobby and Rose]]''
| Chicano #1
| Credited as Eddie Olmos
|-
| 1977
| ''[[Alambrista!]]''
| Drunk
|
|-
| 1980
| ''[[Fukkatsu no hi]]''
| Capt. Lopez
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1981
| ''[[Wolfen (film)|Wolfen]]''
| Eddie Holt
|
|-
| ''[[Zoot Suit (film)|Zoot Suit]]''
| El Pachuco
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1982
| ''[[Blade Runner]]''
| Gaff
|
|-
| ''[[The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez]]''
| [[Gregorio Cortez]]
|
|-
| 1985
| ''[[Saving Grace (1985 film)|Saving Grace]]''
| Ciolino
|
|-
| 1988
| ''[[Stand and Deliver]]''
| [[Jaime Escalante]]
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1989
| ''[[The Fortunate Pilgrim (miniseries)|The Fortunate Pilgrim]]''
| Frank Corbo
|
|-
| ''[[Triumph of the Spirit]]''
| Gypsy
|
|-
| 1991
| ''[[Talent for the Game]]''
| Virgil Sweet
|
|-
| 1992
| ''[[American Me]]''
| Montoya Santana
| Also director
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1993
| ''[[Roosters (film)|Roosters]]''
| Gallo Morales
|
|-
| ''[[Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (film)|Even Cowgirls Get the Blues]]''
| Musician at Barbecue
|
|-
| 1994
| ''[[A Million to Juan]]''
| Angel
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1995
| ''[[Mirage (1995 film)|Mirage]]''
| Matteo Juarez
|
|-
| ''[[My Family (1995 film)|My Family]]''
| Paco
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1996
| ''[[Dead Man's Walk (miniseries)|Dead Man's Walk]]''
| Capt. Salazar
|
|-
| ''[[Caught (1996 film)|Caught]]''
| Joe
|
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1997
| ''[[Selena (film)|Selena]]''
| [[Abraham Quintanilla]]
|
|-
| ''[[The Disappearance of Garcia Lorca]]''
| Roberto Lozano
|
|-
| ''[[Hollywood Confidential]]''
| Stan Navarro, Sr.
|
|-
| 1998
| ''[[The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit]]''
| Vamanos
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2000
| ''[[The Road to El Dorado]]''
| Chief Tannabok
| Voice<ref name="btva2">{{cite web |title=Edward James Olmos (visual voices guide) |url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Edward-James-Olmos/ |access-date=December 1, 2023 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref>
|-
| ''[[Gossip (2000 American film)|Gossip]]''
| Detective Curtis
|
|-
| 2002
| ''Jack and Marilyn''
| Pasquel
| Also director
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2005
| ''Cerca, La''
| Nino
|
|-
| ''[[Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (film)|Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind]]''
| Mito
| Voice, English dub
|-
| 2006
| ''[[Splinter (2006 film)|Splinter]]''
| Capt. Garcia
|
|-
| 2008
| ''[[Beverly Hills Chihuahua]]''
| Diablo
| Voice<ref name="btva2" />
|-
| 2010
| ''[[I'm Still Here (2010 film)|I'm Still Here]]''
| Himself
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2011
| ''[[The Green Hornet (2011 film)|The Green Hornet]]''
| Michael Axford
|
|-
| ''[[America (2011 film)|America]]''
| Mr. Irving
|
|-
| 2012
| ''[[Filly Brown]]''
| Leandro
| Also producer
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2013
| ''[[Go for Sisters]]''
| Freddy Suarez
|
|-
| ''[[2 Guns]]''
| Papa Greco
|
|-
| 2014
| ''[[Unity (film)|Unity]]''
| [[Narrator]]
| [[Documentary film|Documentary]]
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2016
| ''[[El Americano: The Movie]]''<ref name=variety>{{cite news|last=Hopewell|first=John|title='El Americano 3D' Kicks Off Pre-Sales at Cannes (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/el-americano-3d-kicks-off-pre-sales-at-cannes-exclusive-1201187135/|access-date=21 May 2014|newspaper=Variety (magazine)|date=20 May 2014}}</ref>
| Gayo "El Jefe"
| Voice; Also producer
|-
| ''Monday Nights at Seven''
| Charlie
| Also producer
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2017
| ''[[Blade Runner Black Out 2022]]''
| Gaff<ref>{{cite web|url=http://collider.com/blade-runner-anime-explained/|title='Blade Runner 2049' Anime Prequel Introduces New NEXUS 8 Replicants|publisher=Collider.com|last=Trumbore|first=Dave|date=September 26, 2017|access-date=September 26, 2017}}</ref>
| Voice, [[short film]]
|-
| ''[[Blade Runner 2049]]''
| Gaff
| Cameo
|-
| ''[[Coco (2017 film)|Coco]]''
| Chicharrón
| Voice<ref name="btva2" />
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Imprisoned (film)|Imprisoned]]''
| Hospicio
|
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2019
| ''[[A Dog's Way Home]]''
| Axel
|
|-
| ''[[Windows on the World (film)|Windows on the World]]''
| Balthazar
|
|-
| ''[[The Devil Has a Name]]''
| Santiago
| Also director
|-
| 2020
| ''[[Chasing Wonders]]''
| Luis
|
|-
| 2021
| ''[[Walking with Herb]]''
| Joe
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2024
| ''[[Outlaw Posse (film)|Outlaw Posse]]''
| Ossie
|
|-
| ''[[One Fast Move]]''
| Abel
|
|-
| TBA
| ''[[Office Romance (upcoming film)|Office Romance]]''
|
| Filming
|}

===Television===
[[File:Edward James Olmos Sept 06 crop face.jpg|thumb|upright|Olmos in 2006]]

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 1974
| ''[[Cannon (TV series)|Cannon]]''
| Unnamed character
| Episode: "The Exchange"; credited as Edward Olmos
|-
| 1975
| ''[[Kojak]]''
| Bartender
| Episode: "How Cruel the Frost, How Bright the Stars"; uncredited
|-
| 1977
| ''[[Hawaii Five-O (1968 TV series)|Hawaii Five-O]]''
| Dancer
| Episode: "Ready, Aim..."
|-
| 1977
| ''[[Starsky & Hutch]]''
| Julio Guiterez
| Episode: "The Psychic"
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1978
| ''[[CHiPs]]''
| Henry
| Episode: "Flashback"
|-
| ''[[Evening in Byzantium]]''
| Angelo
| rowspan="2" | [[Television film]]
|-
| 1981
| ''Three Hundred Miles for Stephanie''
| Art Vela
|-
| 1982
| rowspan="2" | ''[[Hill Street Blues]]''
| Joe Bustamonte
| 2 episodes
|-
| 1984
| Judge Cruz
| Episode: "Parting Is Such a Sweet Sorrow"
|-
| 1984–1990
| ''[[Miami Vice]]''
| Lt. Martin Castillo
| 106 episodes; also director
|-
| 1988
| ''[[The Fortunate Pilgrim (miniseries)|The Fortunate Pilgrim]]''
| Frank Corbo
| 3 episodes
|-
| 1990
| ''[[The Earth Day Special]]''
| Hospital Director
|Television special
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1994
| ''[[Menendez: A Killing in Beverly Hills]]''
| Jose Menendez
| rowspan="2" | Television film
|-
| ''[[The Burning Season (1994 film)|The Burning Season]]''
| [[Wilson Pinheiro]]
|-
| 1995
| ''[[The Magic School Bus (TV series)|The Magic School Bus]]''
| Mr. Ramon
| Voice, episode: "Going Batty"<ref name="btva2" />
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1996
| ''The Limbic Region''
| Jon Lucca
| Television film
|-
| ''[[Dead Man's Walk (miniseries)|Dead Man's Walk]]''
| Captain Salazar
| [[Television miniseries]]
|-
| 1997
| ''[[12 Angry Men (1997 film)|12 Angry Men]]''
| Juror #11
| Television film
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1998
| ''[[Touched by an Angel]]''
| Col. Victor Walls
| Episode: "God and Country"
|-
| ''[[The Wall (1998 American film)|The Wall]]''
| Col. Holst
| Television film; segment: "The Pencil Holder"
|-
| ''[[The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1998 film)|The Taking of Pelham One Two Three]]''
| Det. Anthony Piscotti
| rowspan="2" | Television film
|-
|rowspan="2"| 1999
| ''Bonanno: A Godfather's Story''
| [[Salvatore Maranzano]]
|-
| ''[[Crucible of Empire|Crucible of Empire: The Spanish-American War]]''
| Narrator
| Documentary film
|-
| 1999–2000
| ''[[The West Wing]]''
| Associate Justice Roberto Mendoza
| 2 episodes
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2000
| ''[[Super Bowl XXXIV|Super Bowl XXXIV: Halftime Show]]''
| Narrator
| Sports event
|-
| ''The Princess & the Barrio Boy''
| Nestor Garcia
| rowspan="3" | Television film
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2001
| ''The Judge''
| Judge Armando
|-
| ''[[In the Time of the Butterflies (film)|In the Time of the Butterflies]]''
| [[Rafael Trujillo]]
|-
| 2002–2004
| ''[[American Family (2002 TV series)|American Family]]''
| Jess Gonzalez
| 17 episodes
|-
| 2003
| ''[[Battlestar Galactica (miniseries)|Battlestar Galactica]]''
| [[William Adama]]
| Miniseries
|-
| 2004–2009
| ''[[Battlestar Galactica (2004 TV series)|Battlestar Galactica]]''
| William Adama
| 73 episodes; also director
|-
| 2004
| ''[[The Batman (TV series)|The Batman]]''
| Angel Rojas
| Voice, episode: "The Bat in the Belfry"<ref name="btva2" />
|-
| 2006
| ''[[Walkout (film)|Walkout]]''
| [[Julian Nava]]
| Television film; also director
|-
| 2007
| ''[[George Lopez (TV series)|George Lopez]]''
| Mr. Hector Vega
| Episode: "George decides to sta-local where it's Familia"
|-
| 2010
| ''[[CSI: NY]]''
| Luther Devarro
| Episode: "[[CSI: NY season 7#ep144|Sangre Por Sangre]]"
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2011
| ''[[Dexter (TV series)|Dexter]]''
| Professor Gellar
| 10 episodes
|-
| ''[[Eureka (2006 TV series)|Eureka]]''
| Rudy
| Episode: "Do you see what I see?"
|-
| 2012
| ''[[Portlandia]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "One Moore Episode"
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2015
| ''[[Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.]]''
| [[Robert Gonzales (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Robert Gonzales]]
| 5 episodes
|-
| ''[[The Simpsons]]''
| Pit Master
| Voice, episode: "[[Cue Detective]]"
|-
| 2016
| ''[[Urban Cowboy (TV series)|Urban Cowboy]]''
| Al Robles
| Pilot
|-
| 2017
| ''[[Narcos]]''
| Chucho Peña
| 2 episodes
|-
| 2018–2023
| ''[[Mayans M.C.]]''
| Felipe Reyes
| Main role
|-
| 2018–2019
| ''[[Elena of Avalor]]''
| King Pescoro
| Voice, 3 episodes<ref name="btva2" />
|-
| 2019
| ''[[Bless This Mess (TV series)|Bless This Mess]]''
| Randy
| Episode: "The Grisham Gals"
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2024
| ''[[Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur]]''
| [[Molecule Man]]
| Voice, 2 episodes<ref>{{Cite web |title='Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur': Edward James Olmos Guest Stars as Molecule Man in Season 2 |url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/tv-shows/moon-girl-and-devil-dinosaur-edward-james-olmos-molecule-man |access-date=2023-12-01 |website=www.marvel.com}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Blue Bloods]]''
| Lorenzo Batista
| Episode: "[[Blue Bloods season 14#ep293|End of Tour]]"
|}

===Music videos===
{| class = "wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Artist
|-
| 1995
|  "[[I Will Remember]]"
| [[Toto (band)|Toto]]
|}

==Awards and nominations==
[[File:Edward James Olmos 2009 Comic Con.jpg|thumb|upright|Olmos at the 2009 [[San Diego Comic-Con]]]]

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Nominated work
! Award
! Results
|-
| 1985
| rowspan="3" | ''[[Miami Vice]]''
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor - Series, Miniseries or Television Film]]
|{{won}}
|-
| 1985
| rowspan="2" | [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]]
|{{won}}
|-
| 1986
|{{nom}}
|-
| 1988
| rowspan="3" | ''[[Stand and Deliver]]''
| [[Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead]]
|{{won}}
|-
| 1988
| [[Academy Award for Best Actor]]
|{{nom}}
|-
| 1988
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama]]
|{{nom}}
|-
| 1994
| rowspan="2" | ''[[The Burning Season (1994 film)|The Burning Season]]''
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor - Series, Miniseries or Television Film]]
|{{won}}
|-
| 1994
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie]]
|{{nom}}
|-
| 1997
| ''[[Selena (film)|Selena]]''
| [[ALMA Award|ALMA Award for Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film]]
|{{won}}
|-
| 1997
| ''[[Hollywood Confidential]]''
| rowspan="2" | [[ALMA Award|ALMA Award for Outstanding Actor in a Miniseries or Television Film]]
|{{nom}}
|-
| 2001
| ''The Judge''
|{{nom}}
|-
| 2003
| rowspan="6" | ''[[Battlestar Galactica (2004 TV series)|Battlestar Galactica]]''
| [[ALMA Award|ALMA Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series]]
|{{won}}
|-
| 2005
| [[ALMA Award|ALMA Award for Outstanding Actor in a Series, Miniseries or Television Film]]
|{{won}}
|-
|2006
|[[9th ALMA Awards|ALMA Award for Outstanding Actor - Television Series, Mini-Series, or TV Movie]] {{small|(tied with [[Michael Peña]])}}
|{{won}}
|-
| 2007
| rowspan="2" | [[Saturn Award for Best Actor on Television]]
|{{nom}}
|-
| 2008
|{{won}}
|-
| 2009
| [[11th ALMA Awards|ALMA Award for Best Actor on Television]]
|{{nom}}
|-
| 2011
| rowspan="2" | ''[[Dexter (TV series)|Dexter]]''
| [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series]]
|{{nom}}
|-
| 2011
| [[Saturn Award for Best Guest Starring Role on Television]]
|{{nom}}
|-
| 2016
| Himself
| [[Mary Pickford Award]]
|{{won}}
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
{{commons|Edward James Olmos}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{IMDb name|1579}}
* {{TV Guide person|edward-james-olmos/148625}}
* {{EmmyTVLegends name|edward-james-olmos|Edward James Olmos}}

{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Edward James Olmos
|list =
{{Black Reel Award for Outstanding Director, TV Movie or Limited Series}}
{{EmmyAward DramaSupportingActor 1976-2000}}
{{GoldenGlobeSupportingActorTV}}
{{IndependentSpiritBestMaleLead 1985–1999}}
{{Mary Pickford Award}}
{{Platino Honorary Award}}
{{Saturn Award for Best Actor on Television}}
}}

{{Miami Vice}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Olmos, Edward James}}
[[Category:1947 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century American male actors]]
[[Category:Male actors from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:American male voice actors]]
[[Category:American film directors of Mexican descent]]
[[Category:American male actors of Mexican descent]]
[[Category:American television directors]]
[[Category:Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe (television) winners]]
[[Category:California State University, Los Angeles alumni]]
[[Category:California State University, Sacramento alumni]]
[[Category:Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead winners]]
[[Category:Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Primetime Emmy Award winners]]
[[Category:Film directors from California]]
[[Category:Hispanic and Latino American male actors]]
[[Category:East Los Angeles College alumni]]
[[Category:Prisoners and detainees of the United States federal government]]
[[Category:People from Montebello, California]]