Danny Trejo Biography: Danny Trejo born May 16, 1944) is an American actor best known for his tough-guy roles. A native of Los Angeles, his acting career began in 1985 with a role in Runaway Train. He received his first credited film role in Death Wish 4: The Crackdown (1987), portraying Art Sanella.
Danny Trejo Biography
Danny Trejo, born Dan Trejo in Echo Park, Los Angeles, is the son of Alice (Rivera) and Dan Trejo, a construction worker. As a youth, he struggled with drug addiction and a life of crime, spending 11 years cycling in and out of prison. While incarcerated at San Quentin, Trejo became the prison’s lightweight and welterweight boxing champion. Serving time for armed robbery and drug-related offenses, he eventually turned his life around by completing a 12-step rehabilitation program. In 1985, while speaking at a Cocaine Anonymous meeting, Trejo met a young man who later reached out to him for help. That call led Trejo to the set of Runaway Train (1985), where he was offered work as a convict extra, likely due to his rugged, tattooed appearance. Coincidentally, one of the screenwriters on set had served time with Trejo in San Quentin and remembered his boxing talent.
Danny Trejo Biography 2025 Details
| Born |
May 16, 1944 (age 80)
Maywood, California, U.S.
|
| Occupation |
Actor |
| Years active |
1985–present |
| Category |
Singers Bio |
| Spouses |
Laura
Debbie Schipek
Joanne Discuillo
Debbie Shreve
|
| Children |
3 |
| Relatives |
- Robert Rodriguez (second cousin)
- Patricia Vonne (second cousin)
|
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About Danny Trejo
Danny Trejo is an American actor. A native of Los Angeles, Trejo’s film career began in 1985, when he landed a role in Runaway Train. The first film in which he was given a proper credited role was as Art Sanella in Death Wish 4: The Crackdown.
Danny Trejo Wiki
- Born: 16 May 1944 (age 80 years), Echo Park, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Height: 1.68 m
- Children: Gilbert Trejo, Danielle Trejo, Danny Boy Trejo
- Nationality: American
- Full name: Dan Trejo
Danny Trejo Achievements
Over the years, Trejo became known for playing inmates, gangsters, and other hardened characters in films such as Desperado and Heat (both 1995), From Dusk till Dawn (1996), Con Air (1997), The Replacement Killers (1998), Reindeer Games (2000), and Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003), among others. From 2001 to 2003, he played Isador “Machete” Cortez in Robert Rodriguez’s Spy Kids series. He later reprised the character in a lead role in Machete (2010), a spin-off action film, and its sequel Machete Kills (2013).
Early Life
Danny Trejo was born on May 16, 1944, in Maywood, California, and raised on Temple Street in Los Angeles’s Echo Park neighborhood. He is of Mexican-American descent and the son of Delores Rivera King and Dionisio “Dan” Trejo (1922–1981), a construction worker. His birth resulted from an extramarital affair while Delores’s husband was serving in World War II. His parents had met in 1943 at a dance hall in Highland Park, Los Angeles.
Trejo had a maternal half-sister named Dyhan, but he didn’t see her or his mother from 1949 until 1965 after an incident in which he injured his arm while in his mother’s care. Following that, his father forbade further contact. Danny’s childhood was marked by abuse from his father. The family briefly relocated to San Antonio, Texas, to evade police after Dionisio stabbed another man.
Danny Trejo Facts
Where does Danny Trejo live? And how much money does Danny Trejo earn?
| Birth Date |
16-5-1944 |
| Heritage/origin |
American- Mexican- |
| Ethnicity |
Latin |
| Religion – believes in God? |
Roman Catholic |
| Residence |
He owns a house in Los Angeles, California. |
Danny Trejo Net Worth 2025
| Estimated Net Worth |
$500 thousand |
| Yearly Salary |
N/A |
| Product Endorsements |
Rock Princess |
| Colleagues |
Edward Furlong & Willem Dafoe |
Houses
- Los Angeles house ($2 million) (Swimming Pool • )
Cars
- 1965 Buick Riviera Clamshell
Danny Trejo: Single, Dating, Family & Friends
| Relationship status |
Single |
| Sexuality |
Straight |
| Partner |
Currently in no confirmed relationship |
| Ex-girlfriends or ex-wives |
Debbie Trejo |
| More info |
Was previously married and divorced |
| Has any kids? |
Yes, father of: Gilbert, Danielle, Jose, Esmeralda, Danny Boy |
Family
Names of father, mother, kids, brothers & sisters:
- Dan Trejo (Father)
- Alice Rivera (Mother)
- Danny Boy Trejo (Son)
- Jose Trejo (Son)
- Danielle Trejo (Daughter)
- Gilbert Trejo (Son)
- Esmeralda Trejo (Daughter)
Friends
Skin, Hair & Eye Color
This tough actor originating from Echo Park, Los Angeles, California has a muscular body & oval face type.
| Hair color |
Black |
| Hair type |
Straight |
| Hair Length |
medium long hair (shoulder length) |
| Hairstyle |
edgy |
| Distinct feature |
cheekbones |
| Skin Tone/Complexion |
Type III: Medium skin |
| Beard or Mustache |
Beard |
| Eye Color |
Hazel |
| Does Danny Trejo smoke? |
Yes, regularly |
Height, Weight, Body Measurements, Tattoos & Style
| Height |
167 cm |
| Weight |
75 kilo |
| Clothing style |
rocker |
| Favorite colors |
gray |
| Feet size |
11 |
| Biceps |
42 |
| Waist size |
119 |
| Buste size |
137 |
| Butt size |
127 |
| Does Danny Trejo have a tattoo? |
Yeshas many tattoos. Some of them are: a woman wearing a sombrero on his chest, names Debbie (ex-wife) and Danielle (daughter) on the chest as well, peacock and catholic cross tattooed on his left arm, hummingbird and rose on his right arm. |
FAQs
What was Danny Trejo’s life like before acting?
Before becoming an actor, Danny Trejo had a troubled past involving drug addiction and criminal activity. He spent 11 years in and out of prison and turned his life around through a 12-step rehabilitation program.
How did Danny Trejo’s prison experience influence his career?
While in San Quentin prison, Trejo became a boxing champion in the lightweight and welterweight divisions. His boxing skills later help him land a role on the set of Runaway Train after being recognize by a screenwriter who had served time with him.
How did Danny Trejo get discovered for his first film role?
Trejo was discover on the set of Runaway Train (1985) after being called to help a young man he met at a recovery meeting. His appearance and boxing background impressed the crew, leading to an unplanned on-screen role.
What kind of role did Danny Trejo play in Runaway Train?
Originally hired as a boxing trainer for the film, Trejo end up being cast as a featured opponent to Eric Roberts, thanks to his realistic training and tough demeanor.
Did Danny Trejo have any formal acting training?
No, Danny Trejo did not have formal acting training. His first break came from real-life experience, personal connections, and his authentic presence on set.
What kind of characters is Danny Trejo known for playing?
Danny Trejo is best known for portraying tough, gritty characters—often criminals, inmates, or villains—drawing on his own life experiences to bring realism to these roles.
