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United States Richard Cabral has transitioned from a challenging past to an Emmy-nominated actor, producer, and motivational speaker, sharing his story of transformation and redemption with diverse audiences.
MC Mayans actor Richard Cabral and a partner launched Tepito Coffee. This coffee shop and Mexico-focused specialty coffee brand partners with Homeboy Industries, aiming to bring East L.A. to Pasadena. Cabral also co-founded the brand.
Richard Cabral has a long-standing relationship with Homeboy Industries, a gang-intervention program. He was a 'graduate' of their program and now volunteers and helps other former gang members. Tepito Coffee, co-founded by Cabral, also partners with Homeboy Industries.
Through his own company, Lineage Entertainment Group, Richard Cabral has produced independent features like 'Khali The Killer' and his one-man show 'Fighting Shadows.' The company also organizes a monthly Poetry Slam to support healing through art.
Richard Cabral was born on August 28, 1984, in East Los Angeles, California. He grew up in a second-generation Mexican-American family and became involved in gang activities at an early age. He was first incarcerated at 13 for stealing a wallet and developed a crack cocaine addiction by age 15. After obtaining his GED, he again encountered legal troubles, resulting in a prison sentence for violent assault. He was released at 25 and sought to change his life direction.
Cabral’s entertainment career began in the Chicano Rap music scene as ‘Baby Jokes’ or ‘Joker,’ a member of Charlie Row Campo. His journey to acting started when friends recommended Homeboy Industries, a gang-intervention program in Los Angeles. There, he secured his first acting role. He made his television debut in 2009 in “Southland.” In 2010, he appeared in Bruno Mars’ music video for “Grenade.” A significant turning point came in 2015 when he starred in the miniseries “American Crime” as Hector Tontz, earning him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Movie. He also received a Satellite Award for Best Ensemble – Television Series for his work on “American Crime.”
His career continued to flourish with roles in major productions such as “End of Watch” (2012), “Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones” (2014), and “Walk of Shame” (2014). From 2018 to 2022, he played Johnny ‘Coco’ Cruz in the FX series “Mayans M.C.” and also contributed as a writer for one episode in 2022. Cabral has expanded his work into producing with projects like “Hombre Sin Razon” (2024), “Blood & Gold” (2022-2023), and “Jesus and Moi” (2018-2019). He co-wrote the one-man show “Fighting Shadows,” detailing his life experiences. Through his company, Lineage Entertainment Group, he also produces a monthly Poetry Slam.
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