By Luis Reyes
Oscar nominated (Stand and Deliver), Tony nominated (Zoot Suit) and Emmy winning actor (Miami Vice) Edward James Olmos is involved in several projects that have afforded the multi-talented 71-year-old prolific performer the opportunity to exercise his unique and extraordinary artistry.
Olmos currently co-stars with Ashley Judd in the box-office hit film A Dog’s Way Home ( #3 film in its debut weekend nationally at 11 million). In this family friendly live action canine adventure Olmos plays Axel, a homeless veteran who encounters a dog that is on a 400-mile journey back home after having been separated from his owners.
The actor received critical acclaim for his role as Felipe Reyes, father of bad boy Angel Reyes (Clayton Cardenas) and former golden boy turned ex-con EZ Rey (J.D. Pardo) and who joins the biker “club” on FX’s Mayans M.C, a spinoff from the Sons of Anarchy series. Mayan’s M.C. is FX’s most-watched new program and has been renewed for a second season. In addition to Olmos starring in the series, he is set to direct an episode in the upcoming season.
Edward James Olmos and Emilio Rivera on set of Mayans MC
Referring to his roles and involvement in such films as Selena, American Me, My Family, and The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez to name a few, Olmos is quoted as saying in a recent New York Times excerpts article by Simon Abrams (9/4/2018). “The stories that I have picked have given us an opportunity to look into the culture that was represented, and for that I am very proud,” he added, “Stereotypes are rooted in truth. The problem comes when that’s all you ever see.”
Most recently Olmos directed a new film, The Devil Has A Name, in which he also stars with Alfred Molina, Martin Sheen, Kate Bosworth, Sal Lopez, Pablo Schreiber and Haley Joel Osment. The dramatic motion picture is the story of an oil matriarch who attempts to outfight a strong willed farmer whose water has been poisoned by oil drilling.
Olmos will also soon be seen in Michael D. Olmos’ (his son) directed film Windows On The World in the role of Balthazar, an undocumented worker who disappeared from New York’s World Trade Center’s Windows on the World Restaurant during the the 9/11 attack. Ryan Guzman stars as the son who leaves his Mexican home in search for his father. Also starring are Luna Lauren Velez and Julie Carmen (The Beanfield Wars, Gloria).
Edward James Olmos, Michael D. Olmos and Ryan Guzman filming Windows of the World
The busy actor also completed roles in the independent movies Walking with Herb an unlikely buddy comedy in which he is teamed with George Lopez, Chasing Satellites and Paz Vega. In 2017 Olmos reprised his iconic role as Gaff from Bladerunner in its sequel Bladerunner 2049 opposite Harrison Ford that same year he lent his voice to the film Coco in the role of Chicharro.
Olmos will be producing an upcoming psychological thriller/love story, In a Little Spanish town which he will co-direct alongside friend and frequent collaborator Robert M. Young about diverse characters thrown into a tangled web of deceit with musical undertones.
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