Clifton Collins Jr.

Clifton Collins Jr. was born in Los Angeles, California, on June 16, 1970. His family has a strong connection to the entertainment industry, with his great-grandparents being a Mexican trumpet player and Spanish dancer, and his grandfather, Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez, a notable character actor. Collins Jr. began his acting career in 1988, initially using his birth name, and later adopting “Clifton Gonzales-Gonzales” as a tribute to his grandfather. Early in his career, he often played roles that were stereotypical for Latino actors, such as blue-collar workers or urban thugs. However, he consistently sought out roles that allowed him to portray complex, three-dimensional characters, moving beyond the limitations of his grandfather’s era.

His career experienced a significant turning point with his role as Cesar, a student and gangbanger, in the 1997 film “One Eight Seven,” starring alongside Samuel L. Jackson. This performance opened doors to a diverse range of portrayals, including a gay Mexican hitman in the critically acclaimed 2000 film “Traffic” and a psychological profiler for the FBI in “Mindhunters” (2004). Collins Jr. also made numerous guest appearances on television series such as “NYPD Blue” and “The Twilight Zone,” and held recurring roles in “Resurrection Blvd.” and “Alias.” A major milestone occurred with his portrayal of killer Perry Smith in the 2005 film “Capote,” a role that had previously been played by Robert Blake in “In Cold Blood.” This acclaimed performance earned him recognition and led to opportunities as a co-producer, notably for “Rampage: The Hillside Strangler Murders” (2006).

In recent years, Clifton Collins Jr. has continued to demonstrate his versatility and range. He held impactful roles in major productions like “Star Trek” (2009), portraying the Romulan Ayel, and received an Emmy nomination for his starring role as Jack Hill in the FX series “Thief” (2006). His work on television also includes a recurring role as Lawrence / “El Lazo” in HBO’s “Westworld” (2016–2020), further cementing his presence in high-profile series. His dedication to character-driven independent films was recognized with a Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival for his performance in “Jockey” (2021), where he also served as an executive producer. Collins Jr. has also expanded his creative endeavors into writing, publishing “Prison Ramen: Recipes and Stories from Behind Bars” in 2015 alongside Gustavo “Goose” Alvarez.