Early Life and Education of Danny Trejo: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Danny Trejo. A timeline of key moments.

Danny Trejo is an American actor born and raised in Los Angeles. His acting career took off in 1985 with a role in Runaway Train, followed by Death Wish 4: The Crackdown. He became known for playing tough characters, often inmates, gangsters, or criminals. Trejo has appeared in numerous films including Desperado, Heat, From Dusk till Dawn, Con Air, The Replacement Killers, Reindeer Games, and Once Upon a Time in Mexico.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1922: Birth of Dionisio "Dan" Trejo

In 1922, Dionisio "Dan" Trejo, Danny Trejo's father, was born.

1943: Parents Meet

In 1943, Danny Trejo's parents met at a dance hall in Highland Park, Los Angeles.

May 16, 1944: Danny Trejo Born

On May 16, 1944, Danny Trejo was born in Maywood, California. He was raised in Los Angeles, California, as the son of Mexican-American parents.

1949: Shared room with cousins

By 1949, Danny Trejo was sharing a room with his cousins at their grandmother's house.

1949: Separation from Mother and Sister

In 1949, Danny Trejo was separated from his mother and half-sister, Dyhan, until 1965 due to his father's ban after Trejo sprained his arm in his mother's care.

1956: First Incarceration

In 1956, Danny Trejo experienced his first incarceration at Eastlake Juvenile Hall.

1959: Incarceration in California Prisons

From 1959, Danny Trejo served time in numerous California prisons including San Quentin, Folsom, Soledad, Vacaville, Susanville and Sierra.

1961: Met Charles Manson

While in Los Angeles County jail in 1961, Danny Trejo met Charles Manson.

1965: Reunion with Mother and Sister

In 1965, Danny Trejo reunited with his mother and half-sister after being separated since 1949.

1966: Arrival at San Quentin State Prison

In 1966, Danny Trejo arrived at San Quentin State Prison, where he exacerbated his heroin use and became involved in debt collection, drug dealing, and violence. He also focused on boxing and became a champion in the lightweight and welterweight divisions.

1968: Prison Riot and Solitary Confinement

In 1968, during a prison riot at Soledad, Danny Trejo ended up in solitary confinement facing capital charges after hitting a guard with a rock. While in solitary, Trejo found faith and became a member of a 12-step program, and he also earned his high-school diploma.

July 1969: Release from Custody

In July 1969, Danny Trejo was released from custody and returned to Pacoima, Los Angeles, after serving five years of a 10-year prison sentence.

1969: End of California Prison Stints

In 1969, Danny Trejo had served time in various juvenile offender's camps, followed by numerous California prisons until 1969.

1972: End of Final Term

According to one account, Danny Trejo's final term in custody ended in 1972.

1999: Contracted Hepatitis C

After concluding "Animal Factory" in 1999, Danny Trejo contracted Hepatitis C.

2001: Weight Loss During Bubble Boy

By the time of "Bubble Boy" in 2001, Danny Trejo's Hepatitis C had progressed to the point that much of the cast had noticed his weight loss. He was struggling to remember his lines due to prescription medication.

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September 2002: Recovery by Spy Kids Premiere

By the time "Spy Kids" premiered in September 2002, Danny Trejo had fully recovered from Hepatitis C.

2011: 42 Years of Sobriety

In 2011, Danny Trejo recalled that he had been sober for the previous 42 years.

2013: Documented Life

In 2013, Danny Trejo shared his tumultuous journey from convict to film star with KTTV in Los Angeles, in a segment filmed in his home. His life is documented in the independent biographical film, Champion, featuring some of his close friends.