Trejo’s Life In Full View on The Inmate #1: The Rise of Danny Trejo
By Justina Bonilla
Danny Trejo is the hardest working man in Hollywood. The ex-con turned Chicano film icon has defied the odds to become one of the most beloved and recognized faces in American cinema and Los Angeles pop culture.
Though best known for his acting, Trejo is also pursuing a vast variety of endeavors, including restaurateur, author, producer, entrepreneur and substance/alcohol abuse counselor. Now, his extraordinary journey from prison inmate to Hollywood star is being featured in the documentary Inmate #1: The Rise of Danny Trejo, available now on stream and on demand.
Trejo, a Los Angeles native from Pacoima, CA, spent his early life heavily impacted by crime and substance/alcohol abuse. After spending many years in and out of jail from Los Angeles juvenile hall to county jail, to Folsom Prison and San Quentin, Trejo had a life changing experience in 1968, at 24 years old.
Trejo was facing the possibility of the death penalty, because he allegedly injured a lieutenant with a rock during a prison riot in Soledad State Prison in California. The alleged attack was labeled as an attempted murder on a prison staff with a deadly weapon.
Praying to God, Trejo asked, “If you let me die with dignity, I’ll say your name every day, and I will do whatever I can for my fellow man.”
With no witness to the alleged crime, the charge was dropped, and Trejo was released from prison on August 3, 1969.
Post-prison, Trejo worked a variety of odd jobs until he became an alcohol/substance abuse counselor, which he still does to this day. Trejo received his first film role by helping a production assistant through his work as a drug counselor. Also, thanks to his boxing background, he was hired to train an actor to box for Runaway Train (1985). Trejo was also asked to do a bit part in the film. This opportunity led him down a path of success beyond his wildest dreams.
Along the way Trejo’s tough Chicano persona got him cast as the nameless assassin in Robert Rodriguez’s Desperado (1995). Trejo continued to build his acting resume in supporting roles, with a cult following, until Rodriguez cast Trejo as Uncle Machete in Spy Kids (2001), bringing him international fame. The character Machete made another appearance as the vengeful machete-wielding anti-hero in a faux film trailer for the double-feature film Grindhouse (2007).
With so much interest in a Machete film, Rodriguez co-wrote/directed Machete (2010) with Trejo in his first leading role. Trejo became Hollywood’s top Chicano action star, known respectfully as El Machete. The success of Machete led to its sequel Machete Kills (2013), with fans hoping for the possibility of the third installment, Machete Kills in Space.
As a child, Trejo often told his mom that they should open the restaurant with her mouthwatering recipes and amazing cooking techniques. After making a name for himself in Hollywood, Trejo pursued that dream and opened the successful Trejo’s Tacos in 2016.
In 2017, Trejo also opened Trejo’s Cantina-Hollywood and Trejo’s Coffee & Donuts. Trejo has also opened other locations of his taco restaurant, including the Los Angeles International Airport and at the popular Original Farmer’s Market in Los Angeles. Trejo also partnered with the Lincoln Beer Company to release his own line of beer called Trejo’s Cerveza.
Photo: Latin Heat
In June 2019, Trejo started his own independent record company, Trejo’s Music. The company focuses on up and coming music artists. He is also a music producer for the label. Trejo’s Music released their first album, Chicano Soul Shop Vol 1, as a modern interpretation of the classic lowrider music of the 1960s and 1970s.
Adding to his food endeavors, Trejo released the cookbook Trejo’s Tacos: Recipes and Stories from L.A., in April 2020. This unique cookbook, with 75 recipes from his popular award-winning tacos to donuts. It also pays homage to his colorful life and Los Angeles experience.
As of June 2020, Trejo has over 380 acting credits to his name, including the Hollywood blockbuster Heat, television’s The Young and the Restless animated series King of the Hill and indie films such as Sherrybaby.
Known to some of the highest profile talent in Hollywood, Trejo has helped others start their film careers, including Oscar-winning singer/songwriter Lady Gaga.
According to Trejo, he and Gaga were at the famous Los Angeles Shamrock Social Club tattoo shop, when she showed interest in also acting in Machete Kills. Trejo immediately called Rodriguez about Gaga. Her role in Machete Kills as La Chameleón, was her first credited film role, leading her to her Oscar-nominated leading role in A Star is Born (2018).
Trejo has been blessed with a long and groundbreaking career beyond his wildest dreams. According to Trejo, his cinematic hero is the old Hollywood icon John “The Duke” Wayne. Wayne was a flawed, but highly beloved badass, dominating the classic western film genre. The hero Wayne was to many on film, as what Trejo is to many film fans today.
Wayne never made it to space, whereas Trejo might still make it to space, going beyond the stars and so much further than we can imagine. Viva Machete!
Running time: 1 hour 47 minutes. Available to rent or buy on Amazon, Google Play and streaming on various platforms and pay TV operators.
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