AccessMyLibrary provides FREE access to over 30 million articles from top publications available through your library.

Edward James Olmos: fighting for justice and defying gangsters: on charity boards, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Oscar Nominee.(Top Ten Latinos)

Latino Leaders

| December 01, 2003 | Velazquez, Gabriela | COPYRIGHT 2003 Ferraez Publications of America Corp. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)Copyright

THE IMAGES of the dark, complex characters Edward James Olmos portrays in many of his dramatic roles--who does not remember tough Lieutenant Martin Castillo from Miami Vice?--do no justice to the warm-hearted man he really is. Not only is he very much admired as an actor, but, also, Latinos have found in Olmos a spokesman, an activist whose energies are devoted to help his community.

Born on February 24, 1945, to an immigrant Mexican father and a Mexican-American mother, he was raised in Boyle Heights, East Los Angeles, in an ethnically diverse neighborhood. Growing up surrounded by poverty and a mixture of cultures fostered tolerance and social awareness in Olmos.

His parents were divorced when he was eight, but first baseball, and then music provided an emotional shelter and a discipline that kept him off the streets. During the 60s he used to sing with a fairly successful rock band, and took his first acting lessons in order to improve his performance on stage. A singing career was cut short, and a great film talent was delivered instead.

Since the beginning of his career, he was attracted by socially conscious films. For his role in the play Zoot Suit (1978) he was awarded a Tony and other recognitions. After this, both television and movie parts came one after another: Wolfen, Blade Runner, Hill Street Blues, Miami Vice, just to mention some. He has earned two Oscar nominations, one for The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez (1982), the other for Stand and Deliver (1986).

For its inspirational content, Stand and Deliver is often shown in schools, hospitals, prisons, any place ...

Related articles from newspapers, magazines, journals, and more
Calling All Law Enforcement Professionals: Iridium Satellite Holds Sweepstakes...
Press release article from: PR Newswire July 7, 2006 700+ words
...Iridium Satellite / Miami Vice sweepstakes, offering...prize trip for two to Los Angeles, Ca. to attend the...and after-party of Miami Vice, the movie, starring...communications equipment for Miami Vice, in theaters July 28th...
`Miami Vice' remake swaps pastels for darker tones.
Newspaper article from: Zap2It.com July 26, 2006 700+ words
Byline: Hanh Nguyen LOS ANGELES _ "Miami Vice" wouldn't have happened if it weren't for Jamie Foxx...remember it, and a lot of people I know remember it, `Miami Vice' only became camp in hindsight," declares the Irish actor...
West Coast makers update Miami-Vice looks for Holiday.
Magazine article from: Daily News Record Ruben, Howard June 10, 1986 700+ words
...Coast Makers Update Miami-Vice Looks for Holiday LOS ANGELES -- Reluctant to...popularity of the Miami-Vice look for next holiday...indifferent about any Miami-Vice look connection...sportswear." Another Los Angeles firm concentrating...
Miami Vice The Game Brings the Heat to the PSP(R) System.
Press release article from: PR Newswire July 27, 2006 700+ words
...Inspired by Universal Pictures' Miami Vice in Theaters July 28 LOS ANGELES, July 27 /PRNewswire...Entertainment has announced that Miami Vice(TM) The Game is now available...Universal Pictures crime drama, Miami Vice, in theaters July 28. Players...
Vivendi Universal Games Brings the Heat This Summer With Miami Vice The Game...
Press release article from: PR Newswire April 20, 2006 700+ words
...Inspired By Universal Pictures' Miami Vice in Theaters This July LOS ANGELES, April 20 /PRNewswire...announced the development of Miami Vice The Game, a thrilling third...Universal Pictures crime drama, Miami Vice, in theaters July 28, 2006...
Miami Vice look moves from TV to shop windows.
Magazine article from: Daily News Record Krupnicki, Barbara May 8, 1985 700+ words
...Manufacturers said the Miami Vice look is becoming as popular...craze, they said, and "Miami Vice" provides weekly instruction...the Roue division of Los Angeles-based Roue Chapell...under-dressed looks 'Miami Vice' has taken a guy in...
Mann's world: A darker `Miami Vice' rises on its director's ample skills, falls...
Newspaper article from: Chicago Tribune (Chicago, IL) July 28, 2006 700+ words
...ashen color palette of "Miami Vice," writer-director...of his characters. "Miami Vice" doesn't capture its...two of the director's Los Angeles-set successes. It...way with violence in "Miami Vice" leads to some sudden...
Miami Vice turns out to be a virtue. (men's apparel) (column)
Magazine article from: Daily News Record Hancox, Clara June 26, 1985 700+ words
...television program called Miami Vice to educate the trend...season. A big thanks to Miami Vice. The TV serial, with...of their peers. Two Los Angeles firms, Roue and Technique...climes, silks. But the Miami-Vice jacket wasn't the only...
West Virginia U.: FILM REVIEW: 'Miami Vice' focuses more on action than story.
News wire article from: The America's Intelligence Wire August 2, 2006 700+ words
...is a true shame, as "Miami Vice" displays quite a flair...at these times that "Miami Vice" plays the way it should...the drawing board. "Miami Vice" has very little to...who made the city of Los Angeles one of his major characters...
Bigger slice of 'Vice'.(Miami Vice)(Movie review)
Magazine article from: Variety Lowry, Brian July 24, 2006 700+ words
MIAMI VICE Directed by Michael Mann...that famously inspired "Miami Vice," and while the music...rekindle some '80s feeling. MIAMI VICE A Universal release presented...Reviewed at ArcLight Cinemas, Los Angeles, July 14, 2006. MPAA...
For more facts and information, see all results

Source: HighBeam Research, Edward James Olmos: fighting for justice and defying gangsters: on...

©2009 Gale, a part of Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
About us | FAQs | Contact us | Privacy policy | Terms and conditions
Other Gale sites: Encyclopedia.com | HighBeam Research | Acquire Content | Books & Authors | Goliath | MovieRetriever | Smart QandA