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Jimmy Smits Biography

Birth Name:Jimmy L. Smits

Birth Place:Brooklyn, New York, United States

Profession Actor, Producer, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

Received the 1987 Imagen award presented by the Hispanic Media-Image Task Force for portraying Latinos in a positive light on film or television
The Joint Leadership of the United States Congress and the Congressional Award Board of Directors presented him with the Horizon Award in 1997 for expanding opportunities and setting examples for all Americans through his personal endeavors
Graduated from Brooklyn College in 1980 with a bachelor's degree in theatre, then earned his MFA at Cornell University before starting his professional acting career
Quote: "Celebrity hits like a bomb․ So you have to find what makes you stable in the storm․ Then, no matter what's happening around you, no matter what the hype or the publicity, you can still manage to make leaps in your work as an artist․"
In 1987, was arrested for allegedly attacking three police officers in his home who were responding to reports of a woman screaming, but the charges were later dropped because of conflicts between the witnesses' statements
Many fans recognize him by his deep, smooth voice
Often plays characters who are likeable and whose intentions are honorable
Is one of the partners in The Conga Room, a Los Angeles club
During the Welcome Back to Brooklyn Festival in 1991, he was named "King of Brooklyn․"
Turned down the role of Detective John Kelly in "NYPD Blue," which went to David Caruso, but when Caruso left the show, accepted the role of Kelly's successor

Awards

1987Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
1988Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
1989Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
1990Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: winner
1990Q Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Quality Drama Series: winner
1991Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
1991Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
1991Q Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Quality Drama Series: nominated
1992Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
1993Imagen Award-Best Actor - Feature Film: nominated
1994Imagen Award-Best Actor - Television: winner
1995Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: winner
1995Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
1996Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
1996Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
1996Independent Spirit Award-Best Male Lead: nominated
1996Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: winner
1996NCLR Bravo Award-Outstanding Television Series Actor in a Crossover Role: winner
1996Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
1997Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
1997Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
1997Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
1997Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
1997Q Award-Best Actor in a Quality Drama Series: nominated
1998ALMA Award-Outstanding Individual Performance in a Television Series in a Crossover Role: winner
1998Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
1998Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
1998Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
1998Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Series, Drama: winner
1999ALMA Award-Outstanding Individual Performance in a Television Series in a Crossover Role: winner
1999Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
1999Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
1999Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
1999Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
1999Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Series, Drama: nominated
1999TV Guide Award-Favorite Actor in a Drama: nominated
2005Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Supporting Actor: nominated
2005Imagen Award-Best Actor - Television: winner
2006ALMA Award-Outstanding Actor in a Television Series: winner
2006Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
2006Imagen Award-Best Actor - Television: nominated
2008Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2008Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2009ALMA Award-Actor in Television - Drama: nominated
2009Saturn Award-Best Guest Performance in a Television Series: winner
2009Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
2009Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Guest Actor: winner
2009Imagen Award-Best Supporting Actor/Television: nominated
2009INOCA TV-Best Guest Actor in a Drama or Comedy Series: nominated
2009Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2010Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Guest Actor of the Decade: winner
2010Imagen Award-Best Supporting Actor - Film: nominated
2013Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series: nominated
2014Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2015Imagen Award-Best Actor - Television: nominated
2015Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2021HCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated