Jimmy Smits
Biography
Jimmy Smits is an American actor born in Brooklyn, New York. He earned a bachelor's degree. Smits is known for his roles in the 1980s legal drama L.A. Law, the 1990s police drama NYPD Blue, and The West Wing. He also portrayed characters in the Star Wars franchise and the television series Dexter. Smits was nominated for six Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, winning one in 1990. He received the HOLA Award for Excellence from the Hispanic Organization. Smits is of Puerto Rican descent through his mother. He has worked in the entertainment industry, appearing in numerous films and television shows.
Career overview
Jimmy Smits is an American actor known for his roles in various television dramas. He began his career in the 1980s, playing the character of Victor Sifuentes in the NBC television series L.A. Law. Smits played this role for the first five seasons of the show, which started in 1986. He was nominated for six Primetime Emmy Awards for his performance.
In addition to his work on L.A. Law, Smits is also notable for his portrayal of various characters in other television dramas. He played the role of NYPD Detective Bobby Simone in the police drama NYPD Blue, and U.S. Congressman Matt Santos in The West Wing. Smits has also appeared in other notable roles, including Bail Organa in the Star Wars franchise and Miguel Prado in Dexter.
Throughout his career, Smits has demonstrated his versatility as an actor, taking on a wide range of roles in different genres. His performances have been recognized with nominations and awards, including a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 1990. Smits has established himself as a respected and accomplished actor in the television industry.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
93 titles- Dexter: Resurrection (2025) as Miguel Prado
- Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022) as Senator Bail Organa
- East New York (2022) as Chief John Suarez
- Andor: A Disney+ Day Special Look (2022) as Bail Organa (archive footage) (uncredited)
- In the Heights (2021) as Kevin Rosario
- The Tax Collector (2020) as The Wizard
- Bluff City Law (2019) as Elijah Strait
- Bluff City Law (2019) Producer
- Raúl Juliá: The World’s a Stage (2019) as Self
- Who We Are Now (2018) as Carl
- 24: Legacy (2017) as Senator John Donovan
- America's Untold Story (2017) as Self - Narrator
- Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (2016) as Dr. Fauci
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) as Bail Organa
- The Get Down (2016) as Francisco 'Papa Fuerte' Cruz
- The Late Late Show with James Corden (2015) as Self - Guest
- How to Get Away with Murder (2014) as Isaac Roa
- Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013) as Victor Santiago
- Outlaw (2010) as Cyrus Garza
- Outlaw (2010) Co-Executive Producer
- Mother and Child (2009) as Paco
- Backyard (2009) as Mickey Santos
- Latin Music USA (2009) as Narrator
- Sons of Anarchy (2008) as Nero Padilla
- Roberto Clemente (2008) as Narrator
- Cane (2007) as Alex Vega
- Cane (2007) Producer
- The Jane Austen Book Club (2007) as Daniel
- Dexter (2006) as Miguel Prado
- ¡Yo soy Boricua, pa' que tú lo sepas! (2006) as Himself
- Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005) as Senator Bail Organa
- Lackawanna Blues (2005) as Ruben Santiago Sr.
- Shelter from the Storm: A Concert for the Gulf Coast (2005) as Self
- The Tony Danza Show (2004) as Self - Guest
- TV Revolution (2004)
- The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003) as Self
- Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002) as Senator Bail Organa
- The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in American Cinema (2002)
- America | A Tribute to Heroes (2001) as Self
- Latin Grammy Awards (2000) as Self
- The Million Dollar Hotel (2000) as Geronimo
- Adventures in Wild California (2000) as Narrator
- Bless the Child (2000) as Agent John Travis
- Price of Glory (2000) as Arturo Ortega
- The West Wing (1999) as Matthew Santos
- The Early Show (1999) as Self
- ALMA Awards (1998)
- The View (1997) as Self
- Murder in Mind (1997) as Peter Walker
- Lesser Prophets (1997) as Mike
- Big Guns Talk: The Story of the Western (1997) as Self
- Mother Goose: A Rappin' and Rhymin' Special (1997) as Old King Cole (voice)
- The Rosie O'Donnell Show (1996) as Self - Guest
- The West (1996) as Self
- Marshal Law (1996) as Jack Coleman
- Animal Charm: Golden Digest (1996) as Himself (Archival Footage)
- Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (1995) as Prince Felipe (voice)
- Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (1995) as Old King Cole (voice)
- My Family (1995) as Jimmy
- Solomon & Sheba (1995) as King Solomon
- The Cisco Kid (1994) as Cisco Kid
- NYPD Blue (1993) as Bobby Simone
- The Tommyknockers (1993) as Jim 'Gard' Gardner
- Gross Misconduct (1993) as Justin Thorne
- The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992)
- The Broken Cord (1992) as David Norwell
- Switch (1991) as Walter Stone
- Fires Within (1991) as Nestor
- Vital Signs (1990) as Dr. David Redding
- Cop Rock (1990) as Victor Sifuentes (uncredited)
- Old Gringo (1989) as Gen. Tomas Arroyo
- LIVE with Kelly and Mark (1988) as Self - Guest
- Mickey's 60th Birthday (1988) as Victor Sifuentes
- Glitz (1988) as Vincent Marra
- Hotshot (1987) as Stars Team Member
- The Highwayman (1987) as Bo Ziker
- The Believers (1987) as Tom Lopez
- Stamp of a Killer (1987) as Richard Braden
- L.A. Law (1986) as Victor Sifuentes
- L.A. Law (1986) as Víctor Sifuentes
- Running Scared (1986) as Julio Gonzales
- Rockabye (1986) as 2nd Policeman
- L.A. Law: Pilot (1986) as Victor Sifuentes
- Spenser: For Hire (1985)
- Miami Vice (1984) as Eddie Rivera
- Miami Vice: Brother's Keeper (1984) as Eddie Rivera
- A Capitol Fourth (1980) as Self
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Host
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Presenter
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- Today (1952) as Self
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Nominee
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Audience Member
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Jimmy Smits best known for?
Jimmy Smits is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Dexter: Resurrection (2025), Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022), East New York (2022), In the Heights (2021).
When and where was Jimmy Smits born?
Jimmy Smits was born on July 9, 1955 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA.
How many credits does Jimmy Smits have?
Jimmy Smits has accumulated over 93 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1944 to 2025.
What is Jimmy Smits's background in cinema and television?
Jimmy Smits is an American actor born in Brooklyn, New York. He earned a bachelor's degree. Smits is known for his roles in the 1980s legal drama L.A. Law, the 1990s police drama NYPD Blue, and The West Wing. He also portrayed characters in the Star Wars franchise and the television series Dexter. Smits was nominated f...