Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Danny Trejo

How Danny Trejo built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Danny Trejo is an American actor known for his tough-guy roles, often portraying criminals, gangsters, or inmates. His career began in 1985 with a role in Runaway Train, followed by Death Wish 4: The Crackdown. He subsequently appeared in numerous films, including Desperado, Heat, From Dusk till Dawn, Con Air, and Once Upon a Time in Mexico. He is recognized for his distinctive appearance and prolific filmography.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1973: Substance Abuse Counselor

Since 1973, Danny Trejo became a substance abuse counselor.

1985: Involvement with Runaway Train

In 1985, Danny Trejo received a call to assist with cocaine problems on the set of Runaway Train, eventually leading to his involvement as a film extra.

1987: First Credited Role

In 1987, Danny Trejo was given his first credited film role as Art Sanella in Death Wish 4: The Crackdown.

1989: Earnings as an Extra

By 1989, Danny Trejo was earning as much as $700 per month as a film extra.

1990: Films and Conflict on Guns Set

By 1990, Danny Trejo had made a dozen films. He worked on Guns, but alleges Erik Estrada had issues with the cast being more familiar with Trejo than himself.

1991: Offer and Decision Regarding Film Roles

In 1991, Danny Trejo was offered a role in American Me but chose a role in Blood In, Blood Out instead, after being advised by Joe "Pegleg" Morgan of the Mexican Mafia.

1993: Casting in Baywatch and Last Light

In 1993, Danny Trejo was cast in an episode of Baywatch and in Last Light, Kiefer Sutherland's directorial debut.

1995: Appearances in Desperado and Heat

In 1995, Danny Trejo appeared in Desperado and Heat.

1996: Appearance in From Dusk till Dawn

In 1996, Danny Trejo appeared in From Dusk till Dawn.

1996: Filming Le Jaguar and Anaconda

In 1996, Danny Trejo was cast in Le Jaguar (The Jaguar) and reunited with Jon Voight for Anaconda, both filmed in Manaus, Brazil.

1997: Appearance in Con Air

In 1997, Danny Trejo appeared in Con Air.

1998: Appearance in The Replacement Killers

In 1998, Danny Trejo appeared in The Replacement Killers.

2000: Appearance in Reindeer Games

In 2000, Danny Trejo appeared in Reindeer Games.

2000: Debut as Machete in Spy Kids

In 2000, Danny Trejo debuted as Isador "Machete" Cortez in Spy Kids, marking a collaboration with Robert Rodriguez, Antonio Banderas, and Cheech Marin.

2001: Spy Kids Franchise

In 2001, Danny Trejo appeared in the Robert Rodriguez-directed Spy Kids franchise as Isador "Machete" Cortez.

2003: Appearance in Once Upon a Time in Mexico

In 2003, Danny Trejo appeared in Once Upon a Time in Mexico.

2003: Spy Kids Franchise

In 2003, Danny Trejo appeared in the Robert Rodriguez-directed Spy Kids franchise as Isador "Machete" Cortez.

2004: Appearance in Def Jam: Fight for NY

In 2004, Danny Trejo appeared in the video game Def Jam: Fight for NY as a villain and playable character.

2006: Reprising role in Def Jam Fight for NY: The Takeover

In 2006, Danny Trejo reprised his role in the PSP videogame Def Jam Fight for NY: The Takeover.

2010: Appearance in The Fight: Lights Out and Call of Duty: Black Ops

In 2010, Danny Trejo appeared in The Fight: Lights Out as Duke and in the Call of Duty: Black Ops "Escalation" map pack.

2010: Machete Film

In 2010, Danny Trejo reprised his role as Machete in the spin-off exploitation action film Machete as the protagonist.

2010: Machete Theatrical Release

In 2010, Danny Trejo starred in a full theatrical release of the film Machete, based on the character Isador "Machete" Cortez.

2011: Appearance in Recoil and Cross

In 2011, Danny Trejo appeared in the action film Recoil as Drayke Selgado, with Steve Austin, and played the role of the Ripper in Cross.

2012: Starring in Bad Ass and Sons of Anarchy

In 2012, Danny Trejo starred in Bad Ass as Frank Vega and appeared in Sons of Anarchy as Romero 'Romeo' Parada.

2013: Machete Kills

In 2013, Danny Trejo reprised his role in Machete Kills, a direct sequel to Machete.

2014: Appearance in Train's "Angel In Blue Jeans" music video

In 2014, Danny Trejo featured as the character Machete in the official music video for Train's "Angel In Blue Jeans".

2014: Producing Ambition and Bad Asses

In 2014, Danny Trejo produced his first film, Ambition, and his second film, Bad Asses.

2015: Snickers Commercial

In 2015, Danny Trejo appeared in a Snickers commercial during Super Bowl XLIX as Marcia Brady.

2015: Appearance in Slayer's music videos

In 2015, Danny Trejo appeared in the music videos "Repentless" and "Pride in Prejudice" from Slayer's album Repentless.

January 2016: Opening of Trejo's Tacos restaurant

In January 2016, Danny Trejo opened his first taco restaurant on La Brea Avenue in Los Angeles, along with his own brands of beer, coffee, and merchandise.

2016: Sling TV Ads

In 2016, Danny Trejo appeared in TV ads for Sling TV.

August 6, 2017: Guest appearance on Rick and Morty

On August 6, 2017, Danny Trejo made a guest appearance on the "Pickle Rick" episode of Rick and Morty, voicing Mr. Jaguar.

2017: Sling TV Ads

In 2017, Danny Trejo appeared in TV ads for Sling TV.

2017: Rainbow cauliflower tacos listed as favorite recipes of 2017

In 2017, Danny Trejo's rainbow cauliflower tacos made the Los Angeles Times's list of 10 most favorite recipes of 2017.

2018: Expansion of donut food truck in Las Vegas

As of 2018, Trejo's most recent venture would be an expansion of a donut food truck in Las Vegas, Nevada.

2018: Voice acting role in Big City Greens

Since 2018, Danny Trejo has voiced Vasquez the bodyguard on the Disney show Big City Greens.

August 2019: Rescuing a child from a car accident

In August 2019, Danny Trejo helped rescue a five-year-old child from an overturned SUV after a car accident.

2019: Ring announcer for Karate Combat

In 2019, Danny Trejo became ring announcer for the full contact karate league Karate Combat. He then received a karate lesson from Georges St-Pierre.

2019: Promotions for Magic: The Gathering Arena

In 2019, Danny Trejo participated in promotions for Magic: The Gathering Arena with Sean Plott.

2019: Multiple film roles in 2019

In 2019, Danny Trejo played Jose in Wish Man, Eduardo Hernandez in Grand-Daddy Day Care, Miguel in The Short History of the Long Road, Carlos in The Outsider, himself in Madness in the Method, Grave-digger in Bullets of Justice, Rondo in 3 From Hell and himself in Slayer: The Repent less Killogy.

2019: Role in Acceleration and voice acting in Family Guy

In 2019, Danny Trejo played Santos in the film Acceleration and voiced Clint Beltran in the Family Guy episode "Shanksgiving".

2019: Role in Cross: Rise of the Villains

In 2019, Danny Trejo played the role of 'Muerte' in Cross: Rise of the Villains.

2019: Added to Call of Duty: Black Ops 4

In 2019, Danny Trejo was added as a playable character to the battle royale mode of Call of Duty: Black Ops 4.

2020: Ownership of eight restaurants

As of 2020, Danny Trejo is the owner of eight restaurants.

2020: Publication of cookbook: Trejo's Tacos

In 2020, Danny Trejo published a cookbook titled Trejo's Tacos: Recipes and Stories from L.A., sharing recipes and stories from his life.

July 10, 2021: Release of his memoir, "Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood"

On July 10, 2021, Danny Trejo's memoir, co-written with Donal Logue, debuted at number four on The New York Times nonfiction best-seller list.

2021: Appearances on Running Wild with Bear Grylls and American Gods

In 2021, Danny Trejo appeared on Running Wild with Bear Grylls and portrayed Mr. World in American Gods. He also portrayed the Ghost of Huet in Muppets Haunted Mansion in 2021.

2021: Appearance on The Masked Singer

In 2021, Danny Trejo competed on season five of The Masked Singer as "Raccoon" but was eliminated in his second appearance.

2021: Guest appearance in Far Cry 6

In 2021, Danny Trejo made a guest appearance in the DLC expansion game Far Cry 6: Danny and Dani vs. Everybody.

2022: Appearance in Olli Olli World

In 2022, Danny Trejo made a guest appearance in the 2D-platforming skateboarding game Olli Olli World. He also appeared as Machete in the 3rd DLC for the game Scum.