Self-admittedly a terrible singer, Olmos continued his dual life of student musician at California State University, where he studied psychology and criminology. More importantly, the sport gave him the opportunity to see his father more regularly, as the senior Olmos loved to attend the games.Īfter graduation, he earned his associate's degree in sociology at East Los Angeles College while singing and playing piano in a band he helped form, Eddie James and the Pacific Ocean. He also submerged himself in baseball, becoming a Golden State batting champion when he was 14. He soon learned that personal discipline could alleviate his loneliness, while throwing himself head-first into his efforts gained him respect and success. When he was eight, his parents divorced it was a traumatic event that would have a profound effect on both his life and work ethic. Meanwhile, his mother, Eleanor, insisted that all her children be well-educated, and his father, Pedro - who earned his high school diploma at age 21 after leaving Mexico City to immigrate to the United States - worked as a slaughterhouse worker and welder. Surrounded by family, Olmos had a colorful history his maternal great-grandparents published a radical newspaper during the Mexican Revolution. 24, 1947 in Los Angeles, Olmos grew up in Boyle Heights where he was inundated by drugs, crime and street gangs, but also a wealth of cultural and ethnic diversity not found in most suburban neighborhoods. His resurgence on television led to big screen roles in "Splinter" (2007), "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" (2008) and "The Green Hornet" (2011), proving that Olmos had staying power in both mediums.īorn Feb. Another significant role arrived in the unlikely form of Admiral William Adama on "Battlestar Galactica" (Sci Fi Channel, 2004-09), a show that Olmos felt was one of the best projects he had ever been involved with. He delivered lauded performances in "Stand and Deliver" (1988) or "Selena" (1997). He became a household name with his first regular series role, playing Lieutenant Martin Castillo on the cultural phenomenon "Miami Vice" (NBC, 1984-89), but then languished for a large chunk of his career taking roles in largely unseen or under-appreciated feature and television projects. Starting with his Tony-nominated performance in "Zoot Suit" (1978), Olmos developed into a highly-acclaimed and sought-after performer whose ability to convey both ambiguity and gravitas was widely recognized. Though he struggled early on in his acting career, taking bit parts in various guest spots on popular television shows in the 1970s, Olmos made the most of his success once he found it. Though widely recognized for his film and television career, actor Edward James Olmos also spent a great deal of time working for social and political causes, with a particular focus on Latino concerns.
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