Danny Trejo

Actor and voice artist Danny Trejo is one of Hollywood’s most recognisable figures, whose unique onscreen presence has made him a fan favourite. He is known to millions for playing the character of Machete in several feature films, as well as for his recurring roles in shows such as the animated sitcom King of the Hill and Netflix’s The Adventures of Puss in Boots.

Trejo did not always expect to work in the entertainment industry. Having battled addiction and served several stints in prison, he overcame his problems, became a champion boxer, and later dedicated himself to helping others as a youth drug counsellor. But it was while working on the set of the film Runaway Train, that he was spotted and offered a small part. His talent and authenticity was immediately recognised, and further roles soon followed in movies including Marked for Death, Desperado and Blood In Blood Out. By the early 1990s he was appearing in several feature films each year, as well as featuring in television shows such as Baywatch, The X-Files and NYPD Blue.

Trejo debuted the character Machete in 2001’s Spy Kids, and would reprise the role in three further films from the series as well as the movies Machete and Machete Kills, in which he starred alongside the likes of Robert De Niro, Steven Seagal and Mel Gibson. In recent years, he has appeared on shows including Breaking Bad and Modern Family, and had recurring roles in King of the Hill and Sons of Anarchy. Beyond film and television, Trejo’s voice has been heard on games including the Grand Theft Auto series, Call of Duty: Black Ops, and The Fight: Lights Out, and he has appeared in music videos by the likes of Enrique Iglesias, Train, Slayer, Kid Frost and Mobb Deep.