Although this up-and-comer dropped his Hispanic last name to avoid being typecast in Latino roles, this sexy, multiethnic actor would have found work regardless of his moniker. An aspiring entertainer from an early age, Isaac initially pursued a career in music as the lead vocalist/guitarist/songwriter for the Miami-based punk outfit The Blinking Underdogs. The band enjoyed some success, even opening for Green Day, but Isaac was drawn to acting and soon began landing regional stage work. During his very first professional theater gig at the Coconut Grove Playhouse, the stage manager made a joke about how none of the actors were good enough to get into Juilliard. The offhand remark stayed with Isaac, and when he came to New York in 2000 to appear in a play, he decided to audition for the highly competitive acting conservatory, just to see what would happen. Not only was he accepted, but less than a year after graduating he had won his first major movie part, as an inept Russian black marketer in
The Half Life of Timofey Berezin, as well as a gig in the Shakespeare in the Park revival of the musical
Two Gentleman of Verona, playing a part that had been originated by his idol, the late Raul Julia, on Broadway in the '70s. In 2006, Isaac took on his highest-profile role to date, as Jesus' father Joseph in
The Nativity Story.
Oscar Isaac Fast Facts:
- Began mounting plays with his sister in their family's backyard when he was 4.
- Cowrote and performed the music in The Juilliard School production of American Occupation.
- Made his film debut in the 2002 Ice Cube action-comedy All About the Benjamins.
- Was the recipient of the Grace LeVine Theater Award at the 2004 Princess Grace Awards.
- Oscar Isaac Relationships:
- Maria Hernandez - Mother
- Maria Miranda - Fiancée
- Nicole - Sister
- Oscar Isaac Hernandez - Father
- College:
- Miami-Dade Community College, Miami, FL; The Juilliard School, New York, NY (2005)
