Edward James Olmos

Actor, Producer, Director

Birthdate: Feb 24, 1947

Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA

Born February 24, 1947, in East Los Angeles, at The First Japanese Hospital to Pedro Olmos and Eleanor Huizar. Raised on Cheesebrough's Lane, he attended Greenwood Elementary and Montebello Junior High. He then graduated from Montebello High School in 1964. After which he received an Associative Arts Degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice at East Los Angeles College in 1966. Olmos since then has gone on to receive many accolades from the City of Montebello, including the Alumni of The Year from Montebello High School in 2014, and Man of the Year Award from The Mexican American Opportunity Foundation in 2015.

He has achieved extraordinary success as an actor, producer and humanitarian. The Tony, Emmy and Academy Award® Nominated actor, is probably best known to young audiences for his work on the SYFY television series "Battlestar Galatica" as Admiral William Adama. Although the series kept the actor busy during its run from 2003 through 2009, it didn't stop him from directing the HBO movie "Walkout" in 2007, for which he earned a DGA Nomination in the Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television category.

Olmos' career in entertainment spans over 30 years. In that time he created a signature style and aesthetic that he applies to every artist endeavor, often grounding his characters in reality and gravitas. His dedication to his craft has brought him attention across the industry, and with audiences worldwide.

Known For

Battlestar Galactica
Battlestar Galactica

(2004)

Selena
Selena

(1997)

Stand and Deliver
Stand and Deliver

(1988)

Blade Runner
Blade Runner

(1982)

Edward James Olmos Movies

actor

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Upcoming (1)

  • 2026 |

    American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez

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Previous (53)

  • 2026 |

    Office Romance

    asJack Cruz
  • 2024 |
    One Fast Moveas Abel
  • 2024 |
    Outlaw Posseas Ossie
  • 2023 |
    Miami Vice: Defining a Decade
  • 2022 |
    Life is Art
  • 2021 |

    Chasing Wonders

    asLuis
  • 2021 |

    Walking with Herb

    asJoe Amable-Amo
  • 2019 |
    The Devil Has a Name
  • 2019 |
    Carlos Almaraz: Playing with Fire
  • 2019 |
    Windows on the Worldas Balthazar
  • 2019 |

    Imprisoned

    asHospicio
  • 2019 |

    A Dog’s Way Home

    asAxel
  • 2017 |

    Coco

    asChicharrón
  • 2017 |

    Blade Runner 2049

    asGaff
  • 2016 |
    Americanoas Gayo
  • 2016 |
    Monday Nights at Sevenas Charlie
  • 2015 |
    Energizing Our World
  • 2014 |
    A Bridge Apart
  • 2014 |
    Agave Is Life
  • 2014 |
    Exile Nation: The Plastic Peopleas Narrator
  • 2013 |
    Go for Sistersas Freddy Suarez
  • 2013 |

    2 Guns

    asPapi Greco
  • 2012 |
    Filly Brownas Leandro
  • 2011 |
    Américaas Mr. Irving
  • 2011 |
    The Green Hornetas Axford
  • 2007 |
    Poncho Sanchez: Keeper of the Flame
  • 2006 |
    Splinteras Captain Garcia
  • 2006 |
    Lalo Guerrero: The Original Chicano
  • 2006 |
    The Forgotten Eagles
  • 2005 |
    Film Trix
  • 2002 |
    Jack and Marilynas Pasquel
  • 2000 |
    Americanos: Latino Life in the United States
  • 2000 |
    Hispanic Hollywood
  • 2000 |
    Gossipas Detective Curtis
  • 2000 |
    The Road to El Doradoas Chief
  • 1999 |
    The Dream Center: Hope for the Inner City
  • 1998 |
    The Wonderful Ice Cream Suitas Vamanos
  • 1997 |

    Selena

    asAbraham Quintanilla
  • 1996 |
    Caughtas Joe
  • 1995 |
    Mirageas Matteo Juarez
  • 1993 |
    Roostersas Gallo Morales
  • 1995 |
    My Family/Mi familiaas Paco
  • 1992 |
    American Meas Montoya Santana
  • 1991 |
    Talent for the Gameas Virgil Sweet
  • 1990 |
    Father/Sonas Host
  • 1990 |
    Maria's Storyas Narrator
  • 1989 |
    Triumph of the Spiritas Gypsy
  • 1988 |
    Stand and Deliveras Jaime Escalante
  • 1986 |
    Blue Collar & Buddhaas Narrator of Series
  • 1982 |
    Blade Runneras Gaff
  • 1982 |

    Blade Runner

    asGaff
  • 1981 |
    Zoot Suitas El Pachuco
  • 1981 |
    Wolfenas Eddie Holt