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 a prolific American character actor whose films have collectively grossed over $3.7 billion worldwide. He is known for his tough-guy roles and distinctive appearance. Trejo has had a long and successful career in the entertainment industry.
1973: Substance Abuse Counselor
Since 1973, Danny Trejo has worked as a substance abuse counselor.
1985: Assisting on Runaway Train Set
In 1985, Danny Trejo received a call from a teenaged patient, asking for his assistance in dealing with cocaine problems on the set of Runaway Train. This event led to his initial involvement in the film industry.
1985: Film Career Began
In 1985, Danny Trejo's film career started when he got a role in Runaway Train.
1987: Credited Film Role
In 1987, Danny Trejo got his first credited role as Art Sanella in Death Wish 4: The Crackdown.
1989: Income as a Film Extra
By 1989, Danny Trejo was making as much as $700 a month as a film extra alone.
1990: Made a Dozen Films
By 1990, Danny Trejo had appeared in a dozen films, including Death Wish 4: The Crackdown and Marked for Death.
1991: Offered Role in American Me
In 1991, Edward James Olmos offered Danny Trejo the role of Pedro Santana in American Me, but he chose to take a role in Blood In, Blood Out instead.
1993: First Cast in Baywatch and Last Light
In 1993, Danny Trejo was first cast in an episode of Baywatch, followed by a part in Last Light, Kiefer Sutherland's directorial debut.
1995: Starred in Desperado and Heat
In 1995, Danny Trejo starred in the films Desperado and Heat, playing roles as inmates, gangsters, or other criminals.
1996: Starred in From Dusk till Dawn
In 1996, Danny Trejo starred in From Dusk till Dawn, where he played roles as inmates, gangsters, or other criminals.
1997: Filming Con Air
Danny Trejo described the filming of Con Air in 1997 as a "macho fest from the start", where the cast often played pranks on one another. He met many of his longtime friends on set.
1998: Starred in The Replacement Killers
In 1998, Danny Trejo starred in The Replacement Killers, where he played roles as inmates, gangsters, or other criminals.
2000: Debut as Machete in Spy Kids
In 2000, Danny Trejo marked his debut as Isador "Machete" Cortez in Spy Kids, which provided him with worldwide recognition.
2000: Starred in Reindeer Games
In 2000, Danny Trejo starred in Reindeer Games, where he played roles as inmates, gangsters, or other criminals.
2001: Appeared in Spy Kids Franchise
In 2001, Danny Trejo appeared in the Spy Kids franchise directed by Robert Rodriguez, playing the role of Isador "Machete" Cortez.
2003: Appeared in Spy Kids Franchise
From 2001 to 2003, Danny Trejo appeared in the Spy Kids franchise directed by Robert Rodriguez, playing the role of Isador "Machete" Cortez.
2003: Starred in Once Upon a Time in Mexico
In 2003, Danny Trejo starred in Once Upon a Time in Mexico, where he played roles as inmates, gangsters, or other criminals.
2004: Voice Acting in Def Jam: Fight for NY
In 2004, Danny Trejo voiced himself in the video game Def Jam: Fight for NY.
2010: Reprised Role as Machete
In 2010, Danny Trejo reprised his role as Machete in the spin-off exploitation action film Machete, as the protagonist.
2010: Starred in Machete Film
In 2010, Danny Trejo starred in the full theatrical release of the film Machete, based on the character Isador "Machete" Cortez.
2011: Appeared 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: Starred 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: KTTV Segment Filmed at Home
In 2013, Danny Trejo shared his journey from convict to film star with KTTV in Los Angeles, in a segment filmed in his home.
2013: Starred in Machete Kills
In 2013, Danny Trejo starred in the sequel film, Machete Kills.
2016: Voice Acting in Storks
In 2016, Danny Trejo's voice acting work included Storks.
2022: Voice Acting in Minions: The Rise of Gru
In 2022, Danny Trejo's voice acting work included Minions: The Rise of Gru.
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