Jimmy Smits
Jimmy Smits was born July 9, 1955 in Brooklyn New York, US, to a Suriname (Dutch Guyana) father, who was a merchant marine turned silk-screen plant manager, and a Puerto Rican mother, a nurse and homemaker. The family moved around quite a bit and for a time during Smits' youth they lived in Puerto Rico (where he learned to speak Spanish). He was the youngest of three, the other two his older sisters.
Smits attended Thomas Jefferson High School and enjoyed acting from a young age, no matter the form. He signed up for any dramatic production he could and even joined those of other schools. Nobody in Smits' family had gotten past secondary schools and though it looked rather bleak in his late teens, he became head of the house at eighteen and fathered a child at nineteen and married, he kept working at school.
Smits attended Thomas Jefferson High School and enjoyed acting from a young age, no matter the form. He signed up for any dramatic production he could and even joined those of other schools. Nobody in Smits' family had gotten past secondary schools and though it looked rather bleak in his late teens, he became head of the house at eighteen and fathered a child at nineteen and married, he kept working at school.
Smits went on to study drama at Brooklyn College and earned a BA in education upon graduation in 1980, then continued his education and graduated from Cornell University with an MA in theater in 1982.
He was an ambitious young actor seeking high quality projects and people. Unfortunately at the beginning of his career, though playing a wide range of characters, the roles had a fair amount of typecasting. This did not quite meet his artistic expectations.
Smits played Don Johnson's first partner on Miami Vice- killed off in the first 15 minutes. He then appeared with Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines in Running Scared, in which he played a drug dealer...making him feel again as if he had been typecast.
In 1986 he landed the role of Victor Sifuentes on L.A. Law. He first auditioned in New York. Believing that his audition went badly and they would not call him, he flew to L.A., where they were holding simultaneous auditions, and auditioned again...he got the part and in 1987 Smits Received the Hispanic Media Image Task Forces' Imagen Award for his achievements. In 1988 the National Hispanic Bar of Mexico honored him for improving the perception of Hispanic lawyers.
In 1994 he joined the cast of NYPD Blue after David Caruso left. In 5 seasons he received 6 Emmy nominations and won a Golden Globe Award. In 1999 he won the best actor Emmy for a Drama Series. He won this after he left the series.
Smits was married to Barbara (1975-1987 div) with whom he has 2 children: a daughter, Taina, and a son, Joaquin. Since 1986 he has lived with actress Wanda de Jesus.
Film
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story~2016 - Senator? Bail Organa
Backyard~2009- Mickey Santos
The Jane Austen Book Club~2007 - Daniel
Yo Soy Boricua, Pa'que Tu lo sepas! (I'm Boricua, Just So You Know)~2005 - Narrator
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith~2005 - Senator Bail Organa
Angel~2002 - Angel
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones~2002 - Senator Bail Organa
Bless the Child~2000 - John Travis
Price of Glory~2000 - Arturo Ortega
Million Dollar Hotel, The~2000 - Geronimo
Lesser Prophets~1997 - Mike
Murder in Mind~1997 - Peter Walker
Marshal Law~1996 - Jack Coleman
Solomon & Sheba~1995 - King Solomon
My Family~1995 - Jimmy Sanchez
Last Word, The~1994 - Actor (Martin)
Gross Misconduct~1993 - Justin Thorne
Fires Within~1991 - Nestor
Switch~1991 - Walter Stone
Vital Signs~1990 - Dr David Redding
Old Gringo~1989 - General Tomas Arroyo
Believers, The~1987 - Tom Lopez
Hotshot~1987 - Stars Team Member
Running Scared~1986 - Julio Gonzales
TV
24: Legacy~2017 - John Donovan (12 episodes)
Live from the Red Carpet: The Pale Center Tribute to Hispanic Achievements in Television~2016 - Himself
The Get Down~2016 - Francisco 'Papa Fuerte' Cruz (13 episodes)
Conan~2014 - Himself - Guest in The Cast of Sons of Anarchy/First Aid Kit
The Talk~2014 - Himself - Guest in Jimmy Smits/Cheryl Hickey/Irika Sargent/Boyz II Men
Sons of Anarchy~2012-2014 - Nero Padilla (38 episodes)
Live! With Kelly~2005-2013 - Himself - Guest in:
Amy Adams/Jimmy Smits (2013)
Jimmy Smits (2010)
Jimmy Smits/Jamie Oliver (2009)
Jimmy Smits (2008)
Jimmy Smits (2005) (Live! With Regis and Kelly)
Talk Stoop With Cat Greenleaf~2010-2011 - Himself - Guest in:
Men in Uniform
Mixed Bag
Outlaw~2010 - Cyrus Garza (8 episodes)
Celebrity Habla 2~2010 - Himself
Entertainment Tonight~2007-2010 - Himself (4 episodes)
A Capitol Fourth~2010 (doc) - Himself - Host
Lopez Tonight~2010 - Himself - Guest on 1.87
Hot Tamales Live Kiki Melendez Presents~2010 - Himself/Audience Member
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno~1995-2010 - Himself - Guest (8 episodes)
2009 Creative Arts Emmy Awards~2009 - Himself
The Thanksgiving Day Parade on CBS~2009 - Himself
Latin Music USA~1008 - Himself - Narrator:
The Chicano Wave
Divas & Superstars
The Salsa Revolution
Bridges
In Performance at the White House: Fiesta Latina~2009 - Himself - Host
Ceremonia de clausura - 57° festival internacional de cine de San Sebastián~2009 - Himself
2009 Alma Awards~2009 - Himself - Presenter
The 2009 Primetimem Creative Arts Emmy Awards~2009 - Himself - Presenter
A Capitol Fourth~2009 - Himself - Host
TV Land Moguls~2009 - Himself in The 80s
Dexter~2008 - ADA Miquel Prado (12 episodes)
X-Play~2008 - Senator Organa in The Making of the Upcoming Game 'Star Wars: The Force Unleased'
Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show~2005-2008 - Himself - Guest (6 episodes)
Infanity~2008 - Himself in Dexter
President Hollywood~2008 - Himself
Stand Up to Cancer~2008 - Himself
A Capitol Fourth~2008 - Himself - Host
Cane (Los Duques)~2007 - Alex Vega (13 episodes)
CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute~2007 - Himself - Presenter
Up Close with Carrie Keagan~2007 - Himself - Guest in 25 September
The 59th Primetime Emmy Awards~2007 - Himself -Presenter: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
National Memorial Day Concert~2007 - Himself
Edens Lost and Found~2007 - Himself - Host/Narrator
TV Land: Myths and Legends~2007 - Himself in Elvis Presley
Tavis Smiley~2005-2007 - Himself - Guest:
8 October 2007
1 April 2005
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson~2005-2007 - Himself - Guest in 25 September 2007
Late Show with David Letterman~1995-2007 - Himself - Guest:
15.10 24 September 2007
25 October 1996
8 May 1995
2006 ALMA Awards~2006 - Himself
Voces~2006 - Himself in The Bronze Screen
The View~1997 - Himself 6/12/06
AFI Life Achievement Award: Tribute to George Lucas~2005 - Himself
2005 Billboard Latin Music Awards~2005 - Himself
The 57th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards~2005 - Himself - Co-presenter - Outstanding Miniseries
The Tony Danza Show~2004-2005 - Himself - Guest in:
28 July 2005
10 November 2004
A Capitol Fourth~2005 - Himself - Host
Live 8~2005 - Himself
Star Wars: Feel the Force~2005 - Himself
NYPD Blue: A Final Tribute~2005
View, The~1997 - Himself 3/30/05
West Wing, The~1999 - Presidential Democratic Candidate Matthew Santos (final series) (37 episodes)
Lackawanna Blues~2004 - Ruben Santiago Sr.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade~2004 - Himself
NYPD Blue~1994-2004 - Detective Bobby Simone (90 episodes)
Inside NYPD Blue: A Decade on the Job~2002 - uncredited Himself
29th Annual People's Choice Awards~2002 - Himself
America: A Tribute to Heroes~2001 - Himself
2nd Annual Latin Grammy Awards~2001 - Himself
Hollywood Beat~2001 - Himself - Guest in 24 July 2001
43rd Annual Grammy Awards~2001 - Himself - Presenter
2000 ALMA Awards~2000 - Himself - Presenter
2000 ESPY Awards~2000 - Host
The Howard Stern Radio Show~2000 - Himself - Guest 7 October 2000
The 1st Annual Latin Grammy Awards~2000 - Himself - Host
The Daily Show~2000 - HImself - Guest on Jimmy Smits
The Rosie O'Donnell Show~1997-2000 - Himself - Guest
30 March 2000
12 November 1998
17 February 1998
15 April 1997
Entertainment Tonight Presents: L.A. Law - Secrest of the Firm~2000 - Himself
Adventures in Wild California~2000 - Narrator
The 42nd Annual Grammy Awards~2000 - Himself - Presenter
CBS Cares~2000 - Himself
1999 ALMA Awards~1999 - Himself
The 51st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards~1999 - Himself - Nominated: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Howard Stern~1999 - Himself - Guest on 31 March 1999
41st Annual Grammy Awards~1999 - Himself
The Puerto Ricans: Our American Story~1999 - Himself
Saturday Night Live: The Best of Chris Farley~1998 - Himself
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child~1997 - voice Old King Cole
Hispanics in the Media~1997
56th Annual Golden Globe Awards~1999 - Himself - Nominee: Best Actor in a TV-Series Drama
50th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards~1998 - Himself - Nominated: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
1998 ALMA Awards~1998 - Himself
2nd Annual Latino Laugh Festival - Himself
50th Annual Directors Guild of America Awards~1998 - Himself
President Clinton's Inaugural Gala~1997 - Host
Big Guns Talk: The Story of the Western~1997 - Interviewee/ Actor
1997 VH1 Fashion Awards~1997
24th Annual American Music Awards~1997 - Himself - Presenter
49th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards~1997 - Himself - Nominated: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series and Co-Presenter: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special
1997 VH1 fashion Awards~1997 - Himself
1997 Hispanic Heritage Awards~1997 - Himself - Presenter
Big Guns Talk: The Story of the Western~1997 - Himself
51st Annual Tony Awards~1997 - Himself - Presenter: Best Play
3rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards~1997 - Himself
53rd Presidential Inaugural Gala: An American Journey~1997 - Himself
50 Years of Television: A Celebration of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Golden Anniversary~1997 - Himself
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every child~1995-1997 - voices of:
Old King Cole in Mother Goose
Prince Felipe in Cinderella
Mother Goose: A Rappin' and Rhymin' Special~1997 - voice of Old King Cole
The West~1996 - voices of:
Vicente Perez Rosales in Speck of the Future
José María Tornel in Empire Upon the Trails
? in The People
48th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards~1996 - Himself - Nominated: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series & Presenter: Outstanding Made for Television Movie
1996 VH1 Honors~1996 - Himself
68th Annual Academy Awards~1996 - Himself
1996 Blockbuster Entertainment Awards~1996 - Himself - Presenter
2nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards~1996 - Himself - Nominee: Best Male Actor/Best Ensemble in a Drama Series
53rd Annual Golden Globe Awards~1996 - Himself - Winner: Best Actor in a TV Series Drama
Block Party~1996
Marshal Law
1996 NCLR Bravo Awards~1996
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards~1996
Golden Globe Awards~1996
Second Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards~1996
Latin Nights: An All-Star Celebration~1995 - Co-Host
Solomon and Sheba~1995 -
CBS This Morning~1995 - Himself in 10 May 1995
52nd Annual Golden Globe Awards~1995 - Himself
Television's Greatest Performances~1995 - Himself - Host
16th Annual Cable ACE Awards~1995 - Himself - Presenter
47th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards~1995 - Himself - Nominated: Outstanding Supportin gActor in a Drama Series & Presenter: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special
Last Word~1995
1995 NCLR Bravo Awards~1995
Newsweek American Achievement Awards~1995
Concert of The Americas~1994 - Host
The Cisco Kid~1994 - Cisco Kid
Tommyknockers, The~1993 - Jim "Gard" Gardner in Parts 1 and 2
All-Star Fiesta at Ford's~1992
Broken Cord, The~1992 - David Norwell
L.A. Law ~1986-1992 - Victor Sifuentes (107 episodes)
L.A. Law 100th Episode Special, The~1991 - Himself/Victor Sifuentes
48th Annual Golden Globe Awards~1991 - Himself - Nominee: Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV
The Arsenio Hall Show~1989-1991 - Himself - Guest in:
6 May 1991
2.17
Cop Rock~1990 - Victor Sifuentes in Potts Don't Fair Me Now
Pee-Wee's Playhouse~1990 - Your Authorized Conky Repairman in Conky's Breakdown
Face to Face with Connie Chung~1990 - Himself
42nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards~1990 - Himself - Winner: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
47th Annual Golden Globe Awards, The~1990 - Himself
16th Annual People's Choice Awards~1990 -
Saturday Night Live ~1990 - Host of 16.5 11/10/90
41st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, The~1989 - Himself
AFI (American Film Institute) Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Gregory Peck~1989 - Himself
Donahue~1989 - Himself - Guest 15 November 1989
Mickey's 60th Birthday Special: The Magical World of Disney~1988 - Himself
Glitz~1988 - Vincent Marra
15th Annual People's Choice Awards~1989 - Himself - Accepting Award for Favourite Television Drama Program
The Starlight Annual Foundation Benefit~1988 - Himself
40th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards~1988 - Himself - Nominee: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
39th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards~1987 - Himself - Nominee
13th Annual People's Choice Awards~1987 - Himself - Accepting Award for Favourtie New Television Drama Program
Golden Eagle Awards, The~1987 - Host
The Highwayman (Terror on the Blacktop)~1987 - Bo Ziker
Other Side of the Border, The~1987 - Narrator
Stamp of a Killer~1987 - Richard Braden
Dangerous Affection (Hit and Run)~1987 - Richard Braden
Rockabye ~1986 - 2nd Policeman
Miami Vice~1984 - Eddie Rivera
Spenser: For Hire~1986 - Hector Valdes in In a Safe Place
One Life to Live~ - A Crook
All My Children~ - A Monk
Another World~ - A Bartender
Guiding Light~ - A Soldier
TV Producer
Lonely Hearts~2007 - executive producer
Untitled Anthony Nava Project~2007
Theatre
The Mutherfucker with the Hat~2013 - (Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago, IL)
God of Carnage~2009 - Alan (Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, New York, NY)
Much Ado About Nothing~2004 - Benedick (Delacorte Theatre, NY, NY)
Guys, The~2003 - (The Roda Theatre, Berkeley, CA)
Anna in the Tropics~2003 - The Lector (Berlind Theatre, Princeton, New Jersey)
Twelfth Night~2002 - Orsino (Delacorte Theatre, NY, NY)
Death of a Maiden~1993 - (Los Angeles, CA)
Othello~1984 - Othello (University of Colorado - Colorado Shakespeare Company, Boulder, CO)
Ballad of Soapy Smith~1984 - (Delacorte Theatre
Cabaret~1982 - Max (Hangar Theatre, Ithaca, NY)
Loose Ends~1982 - Paul (Hangar Theatre, Ithaca, NY)
Gemini~ - (Hangar Theatre Production, NY)
Rainmaker~ - (Hangar Theatre Production, NY)
Little Victories~ - (American Place Theatre, NY)
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest~ - Chief (Cornell University, Ithaca, NY)
Man & Superman~ - (Cornell University, Ithaca, NY)
Hamlet~ - (New York Shakespeare Festival, NY, NY)
Everyman~ - Everyman (Brooklyn College, NY)
Of Mice and Men~ - Lenny (Brooklyn College, NY)
Desire Under the Elms~ - Eben (Brooklyn College, NY)
Live Appearances/Performances
LAFF (Los Angeles Film Festival)~2006 - presenter of the Spirit of Independence Awards 2/28/06
Print Ad
Got Milk~1998 (with Dennis Franz)
Video Games (voice)
Gears of War 4~2016 - Oscar Diaz
Awards, Honors, and Nominations
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films
Rec'd 2009 Best guest Starring Role in a Television Series for DexterALMA Awards:
Nom 2009 Actor in Television - Drama for Dexter
Rec'd 2006 Outstanding Actor in a TV series for West Wing
Nom 2001 Outstanding Host of a Variety or Awards Special for 1st Annual Latin Grammy Awards (shared)
Nom 2001 Outstanding Host of a Variety or Awards Special for ESPY Awards
Rec'd 1999 Outstanding Individual Performance in a TV Series in a Crossover role for NYPD Blue
Rec'd 1998 Outstanding Individual Performance in a TV Series in a Crossover role for NYPD Blue
Congressional Award:
1997 Horizon Award
Critics Choice Television Awards:
Nom 2013 Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series for Sons of Anarchy
Emmy Awards (Primetime):
Nom 2009 Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for Dexter: Miguel Prado in Go Your Own Way
Nom 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999* Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for NYPD Blue - Bobby Simone *Rec'd
Nom 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990*, 1991, 1992 Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series L.A. Law - Victor Sifuentes *Rec'd
Golden Apple Awards:
Nom 1996 Male Star of the Year
Gold Derby Awards:
Rec'd 2009 Drama Guest Actor for Dexter
Nom 2005 Drama Supporting Actor for The West Wing
Golden Globe Awards:
Nom 1999, 1997 Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Series - Drama - NYPD Blue - Bobby Simone
Rec'd 1996 Best Performance by an actor in a TV Series - Drama NYPD Blue
Nom 1991 Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Series - Drama - L.A. Law
Golden Satellite Awards:
Nom 1999 Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Series - Drama for NYPD Blue
Rec'd 1998 Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Series Drama for NYPD Blue
Image Awards:
Nom 2008 Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series for Cane
Imagen Foundation Awards:
Nom 2015 Best Actor - Television for Sons of Anarchy
Nom 2010 Best Supporting Actor - Film for El Traspatio
Nom 2009 Best Supporting Actor/Television for Dexter
Nom 2006 Best Actor - Television for The West Wing
Nom 2005 Best Actor - Television for The West Wing
Rec'd 1987 for his achievements (Was the Hispanic Media Image Task Force: Imagen Award)
Independent Spirit Awards:
Nom 1996 Best Male Lead for My Family (Mi Familia)
National Hispanic Bar of Mexico:
Honored 1988 for improving perception of Hispanic Lawyers
NCLR (National Council of La Raza) Bravo Awards:
Rec'd 1996 Outstanding Television Series Actor in a Crossover Role for NYPD Blue
Nom Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Variety or Music Series/Special for Television's Greatest Performances
Satellite Awards:
Nom 2014 Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television for Sons of Anarchy
Nom 2013 Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television for Sons of Anarchy
Nom 2008 Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television for Dexter
Nom 1999 Best Actor in a Series, Drama for NYPD Blue
Rec'd 1998 Best Actor in a Series, Drama for NYPD Blue
Screen Actor's Guild:
Nom 2006 Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for Dexter (shared)
Nom 2006 Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for The West Wing (shared)
Nom 2006 Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series for NYPD Blue
Nom 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996 Actor for NYPD Blue
Nom 1999, 1998, 1997 Ensemble for NYPD Blue
TV Guide Awards:
Nom 1999 Favorite Actor in a Drama for NYPD Blue
Viewers for Quality TV Awards (Q Award):
Nom 1997 Q Award Best Actor in a Quality Drama Series for NYPD Blue
Nom 1991 Q Award Best Supporting Actor in a Quality Drama Series for L.A. Law
Rec'd 1990 Q Award Best Supporting Actor in a Quality Drama Series for L.A. Law
West Coast Salsa Congress:
Rec'd 2006 an honor for his contributions to the arts and his community
Miscellany
2008/2010 - Co-founder/Owner of El Sendero Productions, Inc. (Los Angeles, CA; Philadelphia, PA)
Is a partner in 'The Conga Room Club' in Los Angeles with Jennifer Lopez, Paul Rodriguez, and Brad Gluckstein.
2005 - Signed a Harley Davidson motorcycle that Jay Leno donated to raise funds for the victims of Katrina - the bike's winning bid on E-Bay was $505,100
1991 - Jimmy Smits was named the King of Brooklyn, a plaque stating such is somewhere in Brooklyn.
Has worked for LAByrinth Theatre, Colorado Shakespeare Festival and The Center Stage in Baltimore, MD.
No comments:
Post a Comment