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Edward James Olmos - Official Site
EDWARD JAMES OLMOS: Actor and Activist
OFFICIAL SITE

"Laugh if you want, but this story of enemies within is dead serious, and seriously good." Time Magazine, James Poniewozik – December 16, 2005
11th Annual LA Latino Film Festival
Oct. 7 - 14
Congratulations to EJO for receiving the Spirit of Los Angeles Award in September 2007.
"Battlestar Galactica" will return for its fourth season on April 4, 2008.
"Some of the bravest television of the century..." (SFX)
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Directed by EJO, Walkout is "A stirring account of student activism in the late ’60s at a high school in East Los Angeles and a refresher course on the California Chicano movement..." The Chicago Tribune
Accepting the Latino Spirit Award
Congratulations to EJO who  was nominated by the Directors Guild of America as Best Director of a TV movie for his direction of Walkout.
with former cast mates Darryl Hannah and Rutger Hauer at the Venice Film Festival
Congratulations to EJO for his double-win at the 2007 Alma Awards. He won for Best Director (Walkout) and Best Actor ("Battlestar Galactica")
This man lives in a state of perpetual motion. Acting, producing, and too many community activist projects to mention keep Mr. Olmos one of the busiest men on the planet. He likes it that way. Considered by many to be the voice of Latin America in Hollywood and around the country, he uses his own voice to express the concerns and needs of those no one else hears. It's hard to remember a time when he was not front and center in American culture.
 
1984 was a banner year for him.  Although he had already made many movies including Blade Runner with Harrison Ford and Wolfen with Albert Finney, as well as appearing on television shows such as "Kojak," "Hawaii Five-O,"     "Starsky and Hutch," and "Hill Street Blues," it wasn't until he accepted the role of Lieutenant Martin Castillo on the ultra cool  "Miami Vice" that he was catapulted into America's consciousness. Once he was thrust center stage, Edward James Olmos decided to use his voice for many causes beyond his own career.

Born of an immigrant father and a Mexican-American mother, he grew up in East L.A. Baseball was his first love, but by the time he was fifteen, he had his own rock and roll band, The Pacific Ocean.  In 1975 Eddie decided to try his hand at acting and won a role in the movie aloha, bobbie and rose.  Credited as Eddie Olmos with a character name of Chicano One, it was the first step in what was to become a remarkable career.
Please help the schools in Chiapas, Mexico
Read EJO's request. He cares passionately about this.
A few years before "Miami Vice" came along, Edward appeared as El Pachuco in Luis Valdez's play Zoot Suit for which he earned a Tony Award nomination. He portrayed El Pachuco a second time for the movie version.
The Tony Award nomination was one of the first honors to come his way. He won several awards including an Emmy for his work on "Miami Vice." He was nominated for an Academy Award for his 1987 appearance as Jaime Escalante in the critically acclaimed movie, Stand and Deliver. The only major award missing is a Grammy, and Edward says with a grin, "I never could sing."
In 1982 Edward starred in the Robert Young masterpiece, The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez. It was the second time these two men joined their efforts, and they have gone on to make several more movies together including Caught and Talent for the Game.
Edward James Olmos as Gregorio Cortez in the movie The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez.
Edward James Olmos in a mid-70s publicity shot
In addition to his ongoing role as Adama on the Sci Fi Channel's hit series "Battlestar Galactica," EJO recently finished directing a film for HBO entitled Walkout which is due to be aired on HBO in early 2006.
A man with great social awareness, Edward James Olmos has become extremely active in many causes. He visits reservations, prisons, high schools, and colleges giving motivational speeches. For his efforts after the 1992 L.A. riot, he was awarded the John Anson Ford Award by the Los Angeles Commission on Human Relations. The NAACP has honored him for his leadership towards racial unity.
AP photo
Thanks for visiting Edward James Olmos' official web site. While I do not work for Edward or Olmos Productions, I do work with them and am always glad to forward email, provide information, or help in any way I can.  
MaryAnn T. Beverly
During the LA riots, Edward lead a clean-up effort that helped calm the city and end the riot.
Because he frequently portrays serious, dramatic characters, people often think Edward James Olmos is somber or even grim. The truth is exactly the opposite. He is funny, open, warm, and friendly. "Because of where I was from and what happened to me," he explains, "I had the choice of either being happy or sad. And I chose to be happy."
One of the most influential and powerful actors/producers in Hollywood, many consider him the voice of the Latino community. It is a responsibility Edward takes very seriously and has a strong impact on the roles he chooses to portray.
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