Is Danny Trejo Mexican or Indian?

Danny Trejo is the son of Mexican American parents Dolores Rivera King and Dionisio “Dan” Trejo, a construction worker and a member of the 38th Street Gang before Danny was born.

Born on May 16, 1944, in Maywood, California, Trejo is an American actor, activist, and author known for his rough-and-tumble looks, philanthropy, and his large body of work as a character actor.

Trejo has played over 400 roles in film and TV, most notably as the titular character in the Machete movies from 2010 to 2013.

He also featured in a number of crime and action films such as Quentin Tarantino’s From Dusk Till Dawn (1996), Michael Mann’s Heat (1995), and the Spy Kids franchise (2001, 2002, 2003, and 2011).

When he was young, Trejo spent substantial time with his uncle, who taught him at a young age how to be successful as a criminal.

His first encounter with law enforcement was at age 10, and he was arrested and jailed on different occasions between the ages of 12 and 24 for assault, theft, and drug-related crimes.

Trejo earned a reputation in prison by managing illegal contraband operations and collecting debts. He even took up boxing and managed a gym. In 1968, while spending time in solitary confinement at Soledad State Prison, he chose to become sober and later even helped other prisoners with a 12-step program toward sobriety.

After his final stint, Trejo dedicated his life to helping youths facing drug-related charges and participating in other causes like collecting food banks and handing out clothes for the needy.

He got involved in drug rehabilitation programs in 1973, to help people who struggled with drug abuse.

After finding an agent who got acting roles for aspiring actors with rugged looks, Trejo became an extra in Hollywood in 1985 and continued acting alongside counselling work.

His big break came when he was trying to meet a potential client at the set of the film Runaway Train (1985), starring John Voight and Eric Roberts.

He was recognized by an old friend from his early days, Eddie Bunker, who helped adapt the screenplay for big screen. Introducing him to Russian director Andrey Konchalovskiy, Bunker suggested that Trejo play Roberts’ boxing coach.

Impressed by his looks and talent, the director told him to play a boxer in the film, getting him his first credited role.

The stunt coordinator later hired Trejo for his next film for stunts and background roles.

Trejo went on to act in hundreds of roles in film and television, including Breaking Bad and Sons of Anarchy.

Many of the parts were small — as inmates, gangsters, or other criminals, although Trejo demonstrated his acting range from Disney’s animated series Elena of Avalor (2017–20) to the horror film The Legend of La Llorona (2022).

His most notable role is perhaps Machete, a former Mexican federal police officer turned vigilante in Machete (2010) and Machete Kills (2013) by Robert Rodriguez.