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Edward James Olmos Biography

Birth Name:Edward James Olmos

Birth Place:Los Angeles, California, United States

Profession Actor, Producer, Director, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

  • Is an advocate for many charitable organizations including The Rhythmic Arts Project, Homeboy Industries and The Sexto Sol Center
  • Won an Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead for "Stand and Deliver" in 1989
  • Won seven ALMA Awards, including one for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Television Series for "Battlestar Galactica" in 2008
  • Became the vocalist for a band called the Pacific Ocean as a teen, and when he took acting classes to become a better singer, the acting stuck, though he had to deliver antique furniture to pay the bills between roles
  • Made his screen acting debut in the film "Bogard" in 1974
  • With his rough facial features and gravelly voice, he often plays powerful characters who inspire those who follow them
  • Best known for his role as Admiral William Adama in "Battlestar Galactica" and as Lieutenant Martin Castillo in "Miami Vice․"
  • Has always shown a preference for involving himself in socially conscious films
  • Produced and directed the films "American Me," "Jack and Marilyn," and "Walkout․"
  • Inspired thousands of people to clean up the city by going outside the morning martial law was to be declared amidst the LA Riots in 1992 armed only with a broom and began sweeping,
  • Loves baseball and became the Golden State batting champion in his youth

Awards

  • 1985Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: winner
  • 1986Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
  • 1986Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 1989Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1989Independent Spirit Award-Best Male Lead: winner
  • 1989Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
  • 1989Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 1992Un Certain Regard Award-: nominated
  • 1992Tokyo Grand Prix-: nominated
  • 1993Imagen Award-Best Actor - Feature Film: winner
  • 1996NCLR Bravo Award-Outstanding Individual Performance in Made for Television Movie or Mini-Series: winner
  • 1996NCLR Bravo Award-Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film: winner
  • 1998ALMA Award-Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film: winner
  • 1998ALMA Award-Outstanding Actor in a Made-for-Television Movie or Mini-Series: nominated
  • 1998ALMA Award-Outstanding Individual Performance in a Made-for-Television Movie or Mini-Series in a Crossover Role: winner
  • 1998Lone Star Film & Television Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 1999ALMA Award-Outstanding Individual Performance in a Made-for-Television Movie or Mini-Series in a Crossover Role: winner
  • 2000OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2003Prism Award-Performance in a Drama Series Multi-Episode Storyline: nominated
  • 2004OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2006ALMA Award-Outstanding Actor in a Television Series: nominated
  • 2006Imagen Award-Best Actor - Television: nominated
  • 2006Scream Award-Most Heroic Performance: nominated
  • 2007ALMA Award-Outstanding Actor - Television Series, Mini-Series or Television Movie: winner
  • 2007ALMA Award-Outstanding Director - Television Series, Mini-Series, Television Movie: winner
  • 2007Saturn Award-Best Actor on Television: nominated
  • 2007Black Reel-Network/Cable - Best Director: winner
  • 2007DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television: nominated
  • 2007SFX Award-Best TV Actor: nominated
  • 2008ALMA Award-Outstanding Actor in a Drama Television Series: winner
  • 2008Saturn Award-Best Actor on Television: nominated
  • 2008Imagen Award-Best Actor - Television: nominated
  • 2008SFX Award-Best TV Actor: nominated
  • 2008Scream Award-Best Science Fiction Actor: nominated
  • 2009ALMA Award-Actor in Television - Drama: nominated
  • 2009Saturn Award-Best Actor on Television: winner
  • 2009Imagen Award-Best Actor/Feature Film: nominated
  • 2010Image Award-Outstanding Directing in a Dramatic Series: nominated
  • 2010SFX Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2012Saturn Award-Best Guest Performance in a Television Series: nominated
  • 2012Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2013ALMA Award-Special Achievement in Film: winner
  • 2018BTVA People's Choice Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: winner
  • 2018BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: winner
  • 2019LAFA April Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2019Best Supporting Actor-Feature Film: winner
  • 2020Imagen Award-Best Supporting Actor - Television: nominated
  • 2021Imagen Award-Best Supporting Actor - Television (Drama): nominated
  • 2023Imagen Award-Best Supporting Actor - Drama (Television): nominated
  • 2024Imagen Award-Best Supporting Actor - Drama (Television): winner
  • 2024Imagen Award-Best Voice-Over Actor - Television: nominated