Richard Cabral
Richard Cabral is an American actor and writer known for his role on the anthology series American Crime, and his recurring role on the Fox action comedy-drama TV series Lethal Weapon, based on the action film series of the same name
Early life
Cabral grew up in east Los Angeles, in a second-generation Mexican family, and was active in gang activity from an early age.[1] He stated in an interview with Entertainment Tonight that his family had been a part of the gang scene since the 1970s. When he was a child, he was separated from his family. He was incarcerated at the age of 13 for stealing a wallet.[2] He also went on to develop an addiction to crack cocaine by the age of 15.[3] He obtained his GED as a teenager but once again got in trouble with the law. He was sentenced to prison for violent assault with a deadly weapon; he was released at the age of 25.
Career
While trying to turn his life around, his friends recommended he seek out the services of Homeboy Industries, a gang-intervention program based in Los Angeles.[2] In 2009, Cabral appeared in the television show Southland. In 2010, he appeared in the music video for Bruno Mars' single "Grenade". In 2015, Cabral starred in the mini-series American Crime, in which he portrayed the character Hector Tontz.[4] For his role, Cabral was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Movie at the 2015 Primetime Emmy Awards.
In 2016, Cabral co-wrote with Robert Egan a one-man show called "Fighting Shadows" about his experiences as a former gang member who spent part of his life in and out of prison.[5]
Awards
In 2013, Cabral won the Lo Maximo award from Homeboy Industries, which honors Homeboy Industries service recipients who go on to give back to the community.[6]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | A Better Life | Marcelo Valdez | |
| 2012 | End of Watch | Demon | |
| 2013 | Snitch | Flaco | |
| 2013 | The Counselor | The Green Hornet | |
| 2014 | Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones | Arturo Lopez | |
| 2014 | Walk of Shame | Gang Member | |
| 2016 | Blood Father | Joker |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Southland | Joker Ruiz | Episode: "Derailed" |
| 2011 | Southland | Cholo #2 | Episode: "Code 4" |
| 2011 | Southland | Leprechaun | 3 episodes |
| 2011 | Body of Proof | Jorge | Episode: "Hunting Party" |
| 2012 | Luck | Store Clerk | Episode: "#1.3" |
| 2013 | Chicago Fire | Inmate Rios | Episode: "A Hell of a Ride" |
| 2014 | Bosch | Jimmy Uribe (uncredited) | Episode: "Chapter One: 'Tis the Season" |
| 2014 | Key and Peele | Eduardo | Episode: "Terrorist Meeting" |
| 2015 | American Crime | Hector Tonz | 11 episodes Satellite Award for Best Cast – Television Series Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie |
| 2016 | American Crime | Sebastian De Le Torre | 5 episodes |
| 2016 | Lethal Weapon | Cruz | Recurring role |
References
- ↑ "Former Mexican Gang Member Richard Cabral Reveals How He Left Streets to Star in ABC's 'American Crime'". Latin Post.
- 1 2 "How Former Gang Member Richard Cabral Went From Prison To Prime Time". NPR.org. 16 September 2015.
- ↑ "'American Crime' Star Richard Cabral Reveals His Past of Crack Addiction, Life in Gangs". Entertainment Tonight.
- ↑ "Richard Cabral as Hector Tontz - American Crime". ABC.
- ↑ "FIGHTING SHADOWS with Emmy Nominee Richard Cabral to Play Rosenthal Theater". Broadway World.
- ↑ Homeboy Industries. "Richard Cabral - Lo Maximo 2013 - Homeboy Industries". YouTube. Retrieved 2 October 2016.