History of Danny Trejo in Timeline

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

1922: Dionisio "Dan" Trejo's Birth

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

1943: Parents Met

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 Los Angeles, California.

1949: Living with Cousins

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

1949: Separation from Mother

In 1949, Danny Trejo was separated from his mother, Delores, until 1965 due to an incident where he sprained his arm while in her care.

1956: First Incarceration

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

1959: Imprisonment

Beginning in 1959, Danny Trejo did time in numerous California prisons between 1959 and 1969.

1961: Met Charles Manson

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

1962: Marriage to Laura

In 1962, Danny Trejo married Laura after being released from Youth Training School. Her parents disapproved, so they married in his backyard.

1965: Reunion with Mother

In 1965, Danny Trejo reunited with his mother, Delores, after being separated since 1949.

1966: Arrival at San Quentin

In 1966, Danny Trejo arrived at San Quentin State Prison, and his heroin use escalated shortly thereafter.

1968: Prison Riot and Capital Charges

In 1968, Danny Trejo ended up in solitary confinement facing capital charges and potentially the death penalty after hitting a guard with a rock during a prison riot at Soledad.

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: Imprisonment

Ending in 1969, Danny Trejo did time in numerous California prisons between 1959 and 1969.

1971: Marriage to Debbie Schipek

In 1971, Danny Trejo married Debbie Schipek.

1972: End of Final Term in Custody (Conflicting Account)

According to one account, 1972 marked the end of Danny Trejo's final term in custody.

1973: Substance Abuse Counselor

Since 1973, Danny Trejo became a substance abuse counselor.

1975: Divorce from Debbie Schipek and Marriage to Joanne Discuillo

In 1975, Danny Trejo divorced Debbie Schipek and married Joanne Discuillo.

1978: Relationship with Diana Walton

In 1978, Danny Trejo began a relationship with Diana Walton

1978: Divorce from Joanne Discuillo

In 1978, Danny Trejo divorced Joanne Discuillo.

1981: Birth of son Danny

In 1981, Danny Trejo's son Danny was born from a relationship with Diana Walton.

1981: Death of Dionisio "Dan" Trejo

In 1981, Dionisio "Dan" Trejo, Danny Trejo's father, passed away.

1983: End of relationship with Diana Walton

In 1983, Danny Trejo's relationship with Diana Walton ended.

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.

1986: Relationship with Maeve Crommie

In 1986, Danny Trejo began a relationship with Maeve Crommie.

1987: First Credited Role

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

1988: Birth of son Gilbert

In 1988, Danny Trejo's son Gilbert was born from a relationship with Maeve Crommie.

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.

1990: Birth of daughter Danielle

In 1990, Danny Trejo's daughter Danielle was born from a relationship with Maeve Crommie.

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.

1997: Marriage to Debbie Shreve

In 1997, Danny Trejo married Debbie Shreve.

1997: End of relationship with Maeve Crommie

In 1997, Danny Trejo's relationship with Maeve Crommie ended.

1998: Appearance in The Replacement Killers

In 1998, Danny Trejo appeared in The Replacement Killers.

1999: Contracting Hepatitis C

In 1999, after concluding Animal Factory, Danny Trejo contracted Hepatitis C.

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: Bubble Boy and Health Issues

By the time of Bubble Boy in 2001, Danny Trejo's Hepatitis C had progressed, and he was struggling with his health during production.

2001: Spy Kids Franchise

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

September 2002: Recovery by Spy Kids Premiere

By the time Spy Kids premiered in September 2002, Danny Trejo had fully recovered from his illness.

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.

2005: Separation from Debbie Shreve

In 2005, Danny Trejo separated from Debbie Shreve.

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.

2009: Filing for divorce from Debbie Shreve

In 2009, Danny Trejo filed for divorce from Debbie Shreve.

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: Battling liver cancer

In 2010, Danny Trejo battled liver cancer.

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.

2011: Moving to the San Fernando Valley

In 2011, Danny Trejo moved to the San Fernando Valley to be closer to his mother after she sustained a knee injury.

2011: Sober for 42 Years

In 2011, Danny Trejo recalled that he had been sober for the previous 42 years, indicating he overcame his drug addiction.

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.

2021: Trejo Believes Olmos Has Yet to Accept Him

In 2021, Danny Trejo stated that he believes Edward James Olmos has yet to accept him as a serious actor.

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.