Edward James Olmos was born on February 13, 1947 in Los Angeles, California. Raised by his Mexican-American parents, he grew up with a love for baseball and excelled in the sport, eventually becoming the Golden State batting champion in his youth.
Olmos developed an interest in acting early on, attending East Los Angeles College where he pursued theater studies. He began his professional acting career in the late 1970s, starting with small television roles before making his film debut in the 1981 movie, Zoot Suit.
Olmos's breakthrough role came in 1986 when he portrayed math teacher Jaime Escalante in the critically acclaimed film Stand and Deliver. His performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, cementing his status as a versatile and talented actor.
In the years following Stand and Deliver, Olmos starred in a number of iconic projects, including Ridley Scott's Blade Runner, where he played the memorable character of Gaff, and the hit TV series Miami Vice, in which he portrayed Lieutenant Martin Castillo.
Outside of his acting career, Olmos has been a vocal advocate for social justice and equality, particularly within the Latino community. He co-founded Latino Literacy Now, an organization dedicated to promoting literacy among Latinos, which led to the creation of various books and festivals celebrating Latino culture.
Olmos's commitment to activism and education has garnered him numerous awards and accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015 for his efforts in promoting diversity and inclusion in the arts.
Olmos has been married three times, with his first wife being the daughter of actor Howard Keel. In 2002, he married Lymari Nadal, with whom he has a strong and enduring partnership. Together, they have a blended family of six children, four of whom are adopted.
Throughout his career, Olmos has maintained a reputation for his dedication to his craft, his passion for social change, and his unwavering support for the Latino community. His legacy as an actor, activist, and humanitarian continues to inspire and influence generations of aspiring artists and advocates.