Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jimmy Smits
Discover the career path of Jimmy Smits, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Jimmy Smits is a prominent American actor recognized for his roles in several successful television dramas. He gained fame as attorney Victor Sifuentes on L.A. Law, NYPD Detective Bobby Simone on NYPD Blue, and presidential candidate Matt Santos on The West Wing. Smits has also appeared in films such as Switch, My Family, The Jane Austen Book Club, and In the Heights. He portrayed Bail Organa in the Star Wars franchise and ADA Miguel Prado in Dexter. Furthermore, he was a main cast member of Sons of Anarchy as Nero Padilla and played Elijah Strait in Bluff City Law.
1982: Performances at the Hangar Theatre
In 1982, Jimmy Smits played Max in "Cabaret", Paul in "Loose Ends", and the lead in "Pudd'nhead Wilson" at the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, New York, Cornell's summer repertory program.
1984: Role in Miami Vice
In 1984, Jimmy Smits played Sonny Crockett's original partner in the first episode of "Miami Vice," where his character was killed by a car bomb.
1986: Role in L.A. Law
In 1986, Jimmy Smits began playing Victor Sifuentes in the first five seasons of the NBC television Steven Bochco legal drama "L.A. Law".
1986: Feature Film Debut in Running Scared
In 1986, Jimmy Smits made his feature film debut as drug dealer Julio Gonzalez in the comedy/action cop film "Running Scared" starring Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines.
1989: Leading Role in Old Gringo
In 1989, Jimmy Smits had a leading role in the romantic adventure "Old Gringo" as Jane Fonda's love interest.
1991: Appearance in Switch
In 1991, Jimmy Smits appeared in the movie "Switch".
1994: Starring in NYPD Blue
In 1994, Jimmy Smits began starring as Detective Bobby Simone on the ABC television program "NYPD Blue".
1995: Appearance in My Family
In 1995, Jimmy Smits appeared in the film "My Family".
1998: End of Role in NYPD Blue
In 1998, Jimmy Smits' role as Detective Bobby Simone on the ABC television program "NYPD Blue" came to an end.
September 11, 2001: Cancellation of Latin Grammy Awards Hosting
On September 11, 2001, Jimmy Smits was scheduled to host the 2001 Latin Grammy Awards, but it was canceled due to news coverage of the terrorist attacks. He hosted a non-televised press conference to announce the winners.
2002: Appearance in Star Wars: Episode II
In 2002, Jimmy Smits appeared as Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan in "Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones".
2002: Performance in Twelfth Night
In 2002, Jimmy Smits played the role of Duke Orsino in "Twelfth Night" at the Public Theater's New York Shakespeare Festival.
2003: Starring in Anna in the Tropics
In 2003, Jimmy Smits starred in the Broadway production of "Anna in the Tropics" by Nilo Cruz, performed at the Royale Theatre.
2004: Starring on The West Wing
In 2004, Jimmy Smits began starring on "The West Wing".
2004: Performance in Much Ado about Nothing
In 2004, Jimmy Smits played Benedick in "Much Ado about Nothing" at the Public Theater's New York Shakespeare Festival.
2005: Appearance in Star Wars: Episode III
In 2005, Jimmy Smits appeared as Senator Bail Organa in "Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith", where the character becomes Princess Leia's adoptive father.
2006: End of Role on The West Wing
In 2006, Jimmy Smits' role on "The West Wing" came to an end.
September 25, 2007: Premiere of Cane
On September 25, 2007, the CBS TV series "Cane", in which Jimmy Smits portrayed Alex Vega, aired its premiere episode.
December 18, 2007: Cancellation of Cane
On December 18, 2007, the CBS TV series "Cane", starring Jimmy Smits, was cancelled by the network due to the 2007 Screen Writer's Guild strike.
2007: Appearance in The Jane Austen Book Club
In 2007, Jimmy Smits appeared in the movie "The Jane Austen Book Club".
2008: Appearance in Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
In 2008, Jimmy Smits reappeared as Bail Organa in the game "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed".
November 2009: Appearance in God of Carnage
From November 2009 to February 2010, Jimmy Smits appeared opposite Christine Lahti, Annie Potts, and Ken Stott in the Broadway play "God of Carnage", replacing Jeff Daniels.
February 2010: God of Carnage Performance
Jimmy Smits continued appearing in the Broadway play "God of Carnage" through February 2010.
December 2012: Appearance in The Motherfucker with the Hat
From December 2012 through March 2013, Jimmy Smits appeared in "The Motherfucker with the Hat" at Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago.
2012: Main Cast Member of Sons of Anarchy
In 2012, Jimmy Smits became a member of the main cast of "Sons of Anarchy", playing the role of Nero Padilla.
March 2013: Performance in The Motherfucker with the Hat
Jimmy Smits continued appearing in "The Motherfucker with the Hat" at Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago through March 2013.
2014: Continued Role in Sons of Anarchy
In 2014, Jimmy Smits continued to play the role of Nero Padilla in "Sons of Anarchy".
2016: Appearance in Rogue One
In 2016, Jimmy Smits reprised his role as Bail Organa in the spinoff movie "Rogue One".
2016: Starring in The Get Down
In 2016, Jimmy Smits starred in "The Get Down", a musical drama television series which debuted on Netflix.
February 25, 2019: Casting in Bluff City Law
On February 25, 2019, news outlets reported that Jimmy Smits was cast as Elijah Strait in the NBC drama series "Bluff City Law".
May 6, 2019: Bluff City Law Picked Up to Series
On May 6, 2019, the NBC drama series "Bluff City Law", starring Jimmy Smits as Elijah Strait, was picked up to series.
2021: Appearance in In the Heights
In 2021, Jimmy Smits appeared in the movie "In the Heights".
2022: Reprising Role in Obi-Wan Kenobi
In 2022, Jimmy Smits reprised the role of Bail Organa for "Obi-Wan Kenobi".
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