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Michael Peña Biography

Birth Name:Michael Anthony Peña

Birth Place:Chicago, Illinois, United States

Profession Actor, Producer, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

  • In 2007, he won the Black Reel Award for Best Supporting Actor
  • Was nominated for a Gotham Award for his role in the film "Crash․"
  • Won the 2006 Imagen Foundation Award for best TV actor
  • Became involved with acting in order to make money to pay for his mother's medical care
  • Has frequently taken on comedic roles
  • Based his "Eastbound & Down" character on a man he met on a cruise
  • Was a founding member of the rock band Nico Vega

Awards

  • 2005ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: winner
  • 2005Gotham Independent Film Award-Best Ensemble Performance: nominated
  • 2006ALMA Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 2006Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2006Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: winner
  • 2006Imagen Award-Best Actor - Television: winner
  • 2007ALMA Award-Outstanding Actor - Television Series, Mini-Series or Television Movie: nominated
  • 2007ALMA Award-Outstanding Actor - Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2007Black Reel-Network/Cable - Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2011ALMA Award-Favorite Movie Actor: nominated
  • 2013Independent Spirit Award-Best Supporting Male: nominated
  • 2013MTV Movie Award-Best Latino Actor: nominated
  • 2013NYFCO Award-Best Ensemble: winner
  • 2014ALMA Award-Special Achievement in Film: winner
  • 2014Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 2014COFCA Award-Best Ensemble: winner
  • 2014Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: winner
  • 2014Imagen Award-Best Actor/Supporting Actor - Feature Film: winner
  • 2014Seattle Film Critics Award-Best Ensemble Cast: winner
  • 2018BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: nominated
  • 2020Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble of the Decade: nominated
  • 2024Imagen Award-Best Actor - Feature Film: nominated
  • 2026Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television: nominated