Biography
This page uses content from the Jimmy Smits biography page on the English version of Wikipedia and is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. This list of authors can be seen in the page history. Rotten Tomatoes disclaims any and all warranties as to the accuracy or reliability of the content.
Jimmy Smits (born July 9, 1955) is an American actor perhaps best known for his long-running roles on the TV series L.A. Law as Victor Sifuentes, the firm's pro-bono lawyer, and as Det. Bobby Simone in NYPD Blue as well as his role on The West Wing as congressman and the successor to President Jed Bartlet, President Matt Santos. As an actor, he is noted for his portrayal of earnest, honest men with deep moral convictions.
Biography
Early life
Smits was born to a Surinamese Dutch father and a Puerto Rican mother. He earned his bachelor's degree from Brooklyn College in 1980 and an MFA from Cornell University in 1982. Though born in New York, Smits has deep Puerto Rican roots and frequently visits the island. He participated in protests against U.S. Navy bombing practices in the Puerto Rican offshore island of Vieques.
Career
Smits has received various nominations for Golden Globe and Emmy Awards, and he won an Emmy in 1990. A wider audience became aware of Smits for his appearance as Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan who becomes Princess Leia's adoptive father, in the Star Wars films Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.
He also starred in the multigenerational story of a Chicano family in My Family/Mi Familia in 1995.
Smits also played the Conky Repairman on Pee-wee's Playhouse as one of the show's memorable characters, and in one of his earliest roles. Another notable early role played by Smits was that of Eddie Rivera in the series premiere of Miami Vice. In the episode, he was Sonny Crockett's original partner, only to be shortly killed off in a sting gone wrong.
The West Wing
Smits played the role of Congressman Matt Santos of Houston, Texas in the final two seasons of the American television drama The West Wing. The series ended with Santos' inauguration as President of the United States after winning the presidential election. He defeated moderate Republican Senator Arnold Vinick of California (played by Alan Alda).
Because of the show's assumed liberal leanings, many fans had speculated that Santos would win the contest, though the producers of the series insisted that they had not decided early on who would win, and in fact reported to The New York Times that until co-star John Spencer's death, they had planned on electing Vinick.
Personal life
Smits was married to Barbara Smits from 1981 until their divorce in 1987. They have two children, Taina (born in 1973) and Joaquin (born in 1983). Since 1986, Smits has been in a relationship with actress Wanda De Jesus. They reside in Los Angeles.
Smits helped found the ([1]) National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts to advance the presence of Latinos in the media, telecommunications and entertainment industries.
Filmography/TV History
- The West Wing (2004-2006) .... Congressman/President Matthew Santos
- Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005) .... Senator Bail Organa
- Lackawanna Blues (2005) (TV) .... Ruben Santiago Sr.
- NYPD Blue (1994-1998 & 2004) .... Det. Bobby Simone
- Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002) .... Senator Bail Organa
- Bless the Child (2000) .... Agent John Travis
- Price of Glory (2000) .... Arturo Ortega
- The Million Dollar Hotel (2000) .... Geronimo
- Lesser Prophets (1997) .... Mike
- Mother Goose: A Rappin' and Rhymin' Special (1997) (TV) (voice) .... Old King Cole
- Murder in Mind (1997) .... Peter Walker
- Marshal Law (1996) (TV) .... Jack Coleman
- The Last Word (1995) .... Actor (Martin)
- My Family/Mi Familia (1995) .... Jimmy Sanchez
- Solomon & Sheba (1995) (TV) .... King Solomon
- Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (1995) TV Series (voice) .... Old King Cole
- The Cisco Kid (1994) (TV) .... Cisco Kid
- Gross Misconduct (1993) .... Justin Thorne
- The Tommyknockers (1993) (TV) .... Jim 'Gard' Gardner
- L.A. Law .... Victor Sifuentes (1986-1991)
- The Broken Cord (1992) (TV) .... David Norwell
- Fires Within (1991) .... Nestor
- Switch (1991) .... Walter Stone
- Cop Rock (1990) TV Episode (uncredited) .... Victor Sifuentes
- Vital Signs (1990) .... Dr. David Redding
- Old Gringo (1989) .... Gen. Tomas Arroyo
- Pee-wee's Playhouse (1989) TV Episode .... Your authorized conky repairman
- Glitz (1988) (TV) .... Vincent Marra
- Stamp of a Killer (1987) (TV) .... Richard Braden
- The Highwayman (1987) (TV) .... Bo Ziker
- The Believers (1987) .... Tom Lopez
- Hotshot (1987) .... Stars Team Member
- Running Scared (1986) .... Julio Gonzales
- Spenser: For Hire (1986) TV Episode .... Hector Valdes
- Rockabye (1986) (TV) .... 2nd Policeman
- Miami Vice(1984) TV Episode .... Eddie Rivera
External links
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