Edward James Olmos
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- February 24, 1947 in Los Angeles, California, USA
- Active Years
- 1968–2026 (59 Years)
- Total Credits
- 169 credits in database
Acting Born Feb 24, 1947 Los Angeles, California, USA 169 credits
Biography
Edward James Olmos is an American actor, director, producer, and activist. Born on February 24, 1947, in East Los Angeles, he is known for his roles in various films and television shows. He won the 1985 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his work in Miami Vice. Olmos has also appeared in Blade Runner, its sequel Blade Runner 2049, and the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica, among other notable projects. He has directed and produced several films, including American Me, and has been recognized for his work in the entertainment industry.
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Career overview
Edward James Olmos is an American actor known for his roles in various film and television projects. He began his acting career, appearing in notable films such as Blade Runner and its sequel, Blade Runner 2049. In television, Olmos is recognized for his portrayal of Lieutenant Martin "Marty" Castillo in the series Miami Vice.
Olmos's performances have garnered recognition, including a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his work in Miami Vice. He has also been involved in directing and producing various projects, including the film American Me, which he also acted in. In addition to his work in film and television, Olmos has appeared in the FX series Mayans MC, playing the father of two members of an outlaw motorcycle club.
Throughout his career, Olmos has demonstrated his versatility as an actor, taking on diverse roles in various genres. His performances have been notable in films such as Stand and Deliver, where he portrayed a teacher, and in the re-imagined series Battlestar Galactica, where he played the character William Adama.
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Frequent co-stars
Michael Hogan
5 shared titles
Mary McDonnell
4 shared titles
Tricia Helfer
4 shared titles
Tahmoh Penikett
4 shared titles
Grace Park
4 shared titles
Aaron Douglas
4 shared titles
Jamie Bamber
3 shared titles
Katee Sackhoff
3 shared titles
James Callis
3 shared titles
Callum Keith Rennie
3 shared titles
Career timeline
Office RomanceM.I.A.Mami Está AquíAmerican Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez
One Fast MoveSay a Little Prayer · Executive ProducerOutlaw Posse
Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur100 Years of Warner Bros.La Californie !
The Blade Runner PhenomenonWalking with HerbChasing Wonders
Chaparreando · CreatorThe Disney Family Singalong - Volume IISpace Songs: Through the Distance
Bless This MessA Dog's Way HomeThe Devil Has a NameThe Devil Has a Name · DirectorThe Devil Has a Name · Producer
Mayans M.C.The Eyes of Martin CastilloEvery Night's a Saturday Night
Blade Runner 2049CocoBlade Runner: Black Out 2022LA 92L.A. Burning: The Riots 25 Years Later
AmericanoMonday Nights at Seven
Unity
The Real History of Science FictionThe Journey of a Female ComicExile Nation: The Plastic PeopleAgave is Life
Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.2 GunsGo for SistersGo for Sisters · ProducerFilly Brown
PortlandiaThe Green HornetAmerica
Blue BloodsI'm Still Here
Battlestar Galactica: The PlanBattlestar Galactica: The Plan · DirectorA Class Apart: A Mexican American Civil Rights Story
Beverly Hills Chihuahua
Battlestar Galactica: RazorDave Navarro's SpreadDangerous Days: Making Blade RunnerDeck-A-Rep: The True Nature of Rick DeckardFashion Forward: Wardrobe and Styling
DexterDexterEurekaSplinterWalkout
La Cerca
Battlestar GalacticaBattlestar GalacticaBattlestar Galactica · DirectorThe Batman
Battlestar Galactica
George LopezAmerican FamilyGreetings from TucsonThe Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in American Cinema
In the Time of the ButterfliesThe JudgeThe Judge
The Road to El DoradoGossipThe Princess and the Barrio Boy
The West WingBonanno: A Godfather's StoryThe Unfinished JourneyZapatista
The Wonderful Ice Cream SuitThe WallThe Taking of Pelham One Two Three
12 Angry MenGunSelenaHollywood ConfidentialSelena Remembered
The Rosie O'Donnell ShowCaughtE! True Hollywood StoryDeath in GranadaDead Man's Walk
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every ChildHappily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every ChildHappily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every ChildMy Family500 Nations
Touched by an AngelThe Magic School BusThe Burning SeasonA Million to JuanMenendez: A Killing in Beverly Hills
Full Filmography
169 titles- Office Romance (2026) as Captain Jack Cruz
- M.I.A. (2026) as Isaac Rojas
- Mami Está Aquí (2026) as Mr. Jimenez
- American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez (2026) as Narrator – El Pachuco (voice)
- One Fast Move (2024) as Abel
- Say a Little Prayer (2024) Executive Producer
- Outlaw Posse (2024) as Ossie
- Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2023) as Molecule Man (voice)
- 100 Years of Warner Bros. (2023) as Self
- La Californie ! (2023) as Self - Actor
- The Blade Runner Phenomenon (2021) as Self - Actor (Gaff)
- Walking with Herb (2021) as Joe Amable-Amo
- Chasing Wonders (2021) as Luis
- Chaparreando (2020) Creator
- The Disney Family Singalong - Volume II (2020) as Self
- Space Songs: Through the Distance (2020) as Self
- Bless This Mess (2019) as Randy
- A Dog's Way Home (2019) as Axel
- The Devil Has a Name (2019) as Santiago
- The Devil Has a Name (2019) Director
- The Devil Has a Name (2019) Producer
- Windows on the World (2019) as Balthazar
- Raúl Juliá: The World’s a Stage (2019) as Self
- Imprisoned (2019) as Hospicio
- Carlos Almaraz: Playing with Fire (2019) as Self
- Mayans M.C. (2018) as Felipe Reyes
- The Eyes of Martin Castillo (2018) as Martin Castillo (archive footage)
- Every Night's a Saturday Night (2018) as Self
- Blade Runner 2049 (2017) as Gaff
- Coco (2017) as Chicharrón (voice)
- Blade Runner: Black Out 2022 (2017) as Gaff (voice)
- LA 92 (2017) as Self (archive footage)
- L.A. Burning: The Riots 25 Years Later (2017) as Self
- Americano (2016) as Gayo (voice)
- Monday Nights at Seven (2016) as Charlie
- Unity (2015) as Narrator (voice)
- The Real History of Science Fiction (2014) as Self
- The Journey of a Female Comic (2014)
- Exile Nation: The Plastic People (2014) as Narrator (voice)
- Agave is Life (2014) as Narrator (voice)
- Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013) as Robert Gonzales
- 2 Guns (2013) as Papi Greco
- Go for Sisters (2013) as Freddy Suárez
- Go for Sisters (2013) Producer
- Filly Brown (2013) as Leandro
- Filly Brown (2013) Executive Producer
- A Bridge Apart (2013) as (Voice)
- Portlandia (2011) as Edward James Olmos
- The Green Hornet (2011) as Michael Axford
- America (2011) as Mr. Irving
- Blue Bloods (2010) as Lorenzo Batista
- I'm Still Here (2010) as Edward James Olmos
- Battlestar Galactica: The Plan (2009) as Commander William Adama
- Battlestar Galactica: The Plan (2009) Director
- A Class Apart: A Mexican American Civil Rights Story (2009) as Narrator
- Beverly Hills Chihuahua (2008) as Diablo (voice)
- Battlestar Galactica: Razor (2007) as Admiral William Adama
- Dave Navarro's Spread (2007)
- Dangerous Days: Making Blade Runner (2007) as Self
- Deck-A-Rep: The True Nature of Rick Deckard (2007) as Self
- Fashion Forward: Wardrobe and Styling (2007) as Self
- Dexter (2006) as James Gellar
- Dexter (2006) as Prof. James Gellar
- Eureka (2006) as First sled dog
- Splinter (2006) as Captain garcia
- Walkout (2006) as Julian Nava
- Walkout (2006) Director
- Recycled Life (2006) as Self - Narrator (voice)
- La Cerca (2005) as Narrator / Old Niño
- Battlestar Galactica (2004) as Admiral William Adama
- Battlestar Galactica (2004) as Commander William Adama
- Battlestar Galactica (2004) Director
- The Batman (2004) as Chief Rojas (voice)
- Battlestar Galactica (2003) as Commander Adama
- George Lopez (2002) as Mr. Vega
- American Family (2002) as Jess Gonzalez
- Greetings from Tucson (2002) as Priest
- The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in American Cinema (2002)
- In the Time of the Butterflies (2001) as Rafael Leónidas Trujillo
- The Judge (2001) as Judge Armando Acosta
- The Judge (2001) as Judge Armando Acosti
- The Road to El Dorado (2000) as Chief (voice)
- Gossip (2000) as Detective Curtis
- The Princess and the Barrio Boy (2000) as Nestor Garcia
- The West Wing (1999) as Roberto Mendoza
- Bonanno: A Godfather's Story (1999) as Salvatore Maranzano
- The Unfinished Journey (1999) as Narrator (voice)
- Zapatista (1999) as Narrator (voice)
- The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit (1998) as Vamanos
- The Wall (1998) as Col. Holst (segment "The Pencil Holder")
- The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1998) as Det. Anthony Piscotti
- 12 Angry Men (1997) as Juror 11
- Gun (1997) as Father Santos
- Selena (1997) as Abraham Quintanilla
- Hollywood Confidential (1997) as Stan Navarro, Sr.
- Selena Remembered (1997) as Narrator (voice)
- Selena Remembered (1997) Producer
- Sunset Boulevard - 27 Meilen Amerika (1997) as Self - Actor, Director, Latino-Activist
- Manu: Peru's Hidden Rain Forest (1997) as Narrator
- Prophecies of the Millennium (1997) as Host
- The Rosie O'Donnell Show (1996) as Self
- Caught (1996) as Joe
- E! True Hollywood Story (1996)
- Death in Granada (1996) as Roberto Lozano
- Dead Man's Walk (1996) as Captain Salazar
- The Limbic Region (1996) as Lucca
- Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (1995) as Rey Emiliano (voice)
- Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (1995) as El Murcielago (voice)
- Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (1995) as Jimenez (voice)
- My Family (1995) as Paco
- 500 Nations (1995)
- Mirage (1995) as Matteo Juarez
- Slave of Dreams (1995) as Potiphar
- Touched by an Angel (1994) as Col. Victor Walls
- The Magic School Bus (1994) as Mr. Ramon (voice)
- The Burning Season (1994) as Wilson Pinheiro
- A Million to Juan (1994) as The Angel
- Menendez: A Killing in Beverly Hills (1994) as Jose Menendez
- Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (1994) as Musician at Barbecue (uncredited)
- Lives in Hazard (1994) as self
- Learning Not to Hurt (1993) as Self
- Roosters (1993) as Gallo Morales
- American Me (1992) as Montoya Santana
- American Me (1992) Director
- American Me (1992) Producer
- Maria's Story (1991) as José Serrano (voice)
- Talent for the Game (1991) as Virgil Sweet
- The Earth Day Special (1990) as Hospital Director
- The Simpsons (1989) as Pit Master (voice)
- Triumph of the Spirit (1989) as Gypsy
- Miami Vice: Freefall (1989) as Lt. Martin Castillo
- Stand and Deliver (1988) as Jaime A. Escalante
- The Fortunate Pilgrim (1988) as Frank Corbo
- Saving Grace (1986) as Ciolino
- Blue Collar & Buddha (1986) as Narrator
- Miami Vice (1984) as Martin Castillo
- Miami Vice (1984) Director
- The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez (1983) as Gregorio Cortez
- The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez (1983) Original Music Composer
- The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez (1983) Associate Producer
- The Nightingale (1983) as Prime Minister
- American Playhouse (1982) as General Santa Anna
- American Playhouse (1982) as Gregorio Cortez
- American Playhouse (1982) as Jaime Escalante
- American Playhouse (1982) Associate Producer
- American Playhouse (1982) Original Music Composer
- Blade Runner (1982) as Gaff
- Faerie Tale Theatre (1982) as Prime Minister
- Seguin (1982) as Gen. Santa Anna
- Hill Street Blues (1981)
- Wolfen (1981) as Eddie Holt
- Zoot Suit (1981) as El Pachuco
- 300 Miles for Stephanie (1981) as Art Vela
- Virus (1980) as Captain Lopez
- Dead Angle (1979)
- Evening in Byzantium (1978) as Angelo
- Evening in Byzantium (1978) as Angelo
- CHiPs (1977)
- The Fitzpatricks (1977) as Don Vasquez
- Alambrista! (1977) as 1st Drunk
- Starsky & Hutch (1975) as Julio Gutierez
- The Blue Knight (1975) as Clemente (as Ed Olmos)
- Aloha Bobby and Rose (1975) as Chicano #1
- Police Woman (1974)
- Kojak (1973) as Paco
- Police Story (1973)
- Cannon (1971)
- Hawaii Five-O (1968) as Dancer
- Blue Collar & Buddha
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Edward James Olmos best known for?
Edward James Olmos is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Office Romance (2026), M.I.A. (2026), Mami Está Aquí (2026), American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez (2026).
When and where was Edward James Olmos born?
Edward James Olmos was born on February 24, 1947 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
How many credits does Edward James Olmos have?
Edward James Olmos has accumulated over 169 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1968 to 2026.
What is Edward James Olmos's background in cinema and television?
Edward James Olmos is an American actor, director, producer, and activist. Born on February 24, 1947, in East Los Angeles, he is known for his roles in various films and television shows. He won the 1985 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his work in Miami Vice. Olmos has also a...
Edward James Olmos by the numbers
169credits
113films
56TV series
1968–2026active years
Age in their best-rated roles
- Mami Está Aquí (2026) as Mr. Jimenez — aged about 79
- M.I.A. (2026) as Isaac Rojas — aged about 79
- The West Wing (1999) as Roberto Mendoza — aged about 52
- Coco (2017) as Chicharrón (voice) — aged about 70
- Dexter (2006) as James Gellar — aged about 59
- Dexter (2006) as Prof. James Gellar — aged about 59
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