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For years, award-winning actor Esai Morales has exhibited his
outstanding acting talents on television, in theatre and in films.
Since his feature film debut in "Bad Boys" opposite Sean Penn, the
actor has continuously offered performances that strongly resonate in
the hearts and minds of his audience. Last fall, Morales returned to
primetime television with a seven-episode arc on CBS's resurrected
drama "Jericho" as Major Beck.
In addition to his recent television roles, Morales recently starred
in the award-winning indie film, "American Fusion." This romantic
comedy, directed by Frank Lin, highlights the negative racial
stereotypes and social mores that still plague U.S. societyóall while
uncovering the love story between Morales' character, a
Mexican-American dentist and a Chinese immigrant. Also, Esai recently
wrapped on the James Cotton film, "La Linea," opposite Ray Liotta.
The film is a crime drama loosely based on the infamous Arellano Felix
drug cartel.
Throughout his career, Morales has played a myriad of characters;
including ordinary Latino men struggling under extraordinary
circumstances and conflicts. He received critical acclaim for his
roles in "Rapa Nui," produced by Kevin Costner; the award winning HBO
film "The Burning Season: The Chico Mendes Story;" the Gregory Nava
film "Mi Familia" opposite Jimmy Smits and Edward James Olmos; and
"The Disappearance Of Garcia Lorca." Morales will next star in the
film "Kill Kill Faster Faster." His other film credits include "Fast
Food Nation," "The Virgin Of Juarez" with Minnie Driver; and "La
Bamba", which remains the most commercially successful Latino-themed
motion picture to date.
A graduate of New York's prestigious High School for the Performing
Arts, Morales continued his studies in theatre with his stage debut in
"El Hermano" at the Ensemble Studio Theatre. His other theatre
performances include Oscar Wilde's "Salome" with Al Pacino at New
York's Circle in the Square Theatre on Broadway; Joe Papp's production
of "The Tempest" with Raul Julia for New York's Shakespeare in the
Park Festival; "Tamer Of Horses" for the Los Angeles Theatre Center,
for which he was awarded the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award;
"The Exonerated," directed by Bob Balaban; and the San Francisco run
of the musical "The Mambo Kings",Morales' musical theatre debut as
Cesar Castillo.
For three seasons, Morales played Lieutenant Tony Rodriguez in the
Emmy award winning series "NYPD Blue." He also starred in Showtime's
"Resurrection Blvd.;" PBS's drama series "American Family," FOX's
"Vanished;" and recently in USA's "Burn Notice." In 2002, Morales was
awarded the "Best Actor in a Television Series" at the prestigious
Alma Awards and was honored with Entertainer of the Year at the 17
Annual Imagen Awards for his work on "NYPD Blue." He also received an
Imagen Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Television
Series for his work in "American Family."
Describing himself as an "actorvist," Morales has combined art and
activism to build bridges of understanding. Morales is involved in a
bevy of charities and non-profit organizations that span everything
from social to environmental issues. Some of his organizations
include, the National Hispanic Foundationówhich he co-found with
actors Jimmy Smits and Sonia Bragaóthat works to advance the presence
and quality of Latinos in media, telecommunications and entertainment.
He is also a founding board member of the Earth Communications Office
(E.C.O.), which is a clearinghouse for environmental information and
has worked closely with the Wildlife Preservation Fund in Costa Rica
and Health Education Aids Liaison (H.E.A.L.). In addition, he is a
national board member of the Screen Actors Guild.
Morales presently resides in Los Angeles, CA. When not working, he
enjoys writing songs, singing, and playing the guitar. His single,
"Reason to Live", recently made its radio debut. | |
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