In his breakthrough
Heroes role as a heroin-addicted, lovesick artist able to paint the future, this Latino hunk seduced viewers with his moody, manly charm, even though his character didn't live past the first season. Born in Chile but raised in Toronto, Madrid, London and Romania due to his father's work as a diplomat, Cabrera initially planned on becoming a soccer player. In fact, after high school he played semipro in London before focusing on his other passion: acting. While studying at the Drama Centre London at Central St. Martin's College, he landed his first gig on the British TV show
MI-5 and in 2005 he snagged his first role stateside as Julius Caesar's nephew in the Roman miniseries
Empire.
But it was his
Heroes alter ego in 2006 that confirmed him as an up-and-comer. While his time on
Heroes was short-lived, he continued to snag impressive parts on the big and little screens, including a role in director Steven Soderbergh's epic biopic
Che and the part of Lancelot on the BBC series
Merlin. Not bad for a man who once worked as a rickshaw driver while he was a student in London.
Santiago Cabrera Fast Facts:
- The middle child born to a Chilean diplomat; has lived in Toronto, Madrid, London and Romania.
- Was a soccer captain in high school and originally planned on pursuing a professional athletic career. However, his priorities changed in 2000 when he realized his love of acting and attended the Drama Centre at Central St. Martin's College in London.
- Worked as a rickshaw driver while studying in London to earn money and to stay in shape.
- Speaks Spanish, English, French and Italian fluently.
- College:
- Central St. Martin's College of Art & Design, Drama Centre London, London, England (2003)