Danny Trejo, born on May 16, 1944, is a Mexican-American actor, activist, and author, recognized for his extensive career as a character actor often portraying villains and anti-heroes. His journey to Hollywood success was unconventional, marked by a past of imprisonment and drug addiction. Trejo dedicated himself to helping others, becoming a drug counselor and participating in charitable causes. His film career began in 1985 with Runaway Train, and he has since appeared in over 400 films and TV shows, including Desperado, Heat, the From Dusk Till Dawn series, Con Air, and the Spy Kids movies. He gained prominence as the title character in Robert Rodriguez's Machete films.
Trejo's recent work includes voice acting roles in Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Ninja Turtles, Futurama, Chibiverse and Krapopolis. Beyond acting, Trejo has established a culinary presence with Trejo's Tacos, Trejo's Cantina, and Trejo's Coffee & Donuts. He released his memoir, Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood, in July 2021, and a cookbook, Trejo's Tacos: Recipes and Stories from LA in 2020. In August 2025, he celebrated 55 years of sobriety. In September 2025, Trejo addressed a hoax post circulating online and confirmed that he was still alive.
