# John Ortiz

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American actor (born 1968)

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John Augustin Ortiz Ortiz in 2019 Born (1968-05-23) May 23, 1968 (age 58) Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York, U.S. Occupations Actor artistic director Years active 1992–present Spouse Jennifer Ortiz Children 1

**John Augustin Ortiz** (born May 23, 1968) is an American actor. He is known for his antagonist role as Arturo Braga in *[Fast & Furious](/source/Fast_%26_Furious_(2009_film))* (2009) and *[Fast & Furious 6](/source/Fast_%26_Furious_6)* (2013), and Clyde in *[Jack Goes Boating](/source/Jack_Goes_Boating)* (2010), which earned him a nomination for the [Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actor](/source/Independent_Spirit_Award_for_Best_Supporting_Actor). He is also an [artistic director](/source/Artistic_director)/co-founder of the [LAByrinth Theater Company](/source/LAByrinth_Theater_Company).

Ortiz's other film performances include Guajiro in *[Carlito's Way](/source/Carlito's_Way)* (1993), Sheriff Eddie Morales in *[Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem](/source/Aliens_vs._Predator%3A_Requiem)* (2007), Javier J. Rivera in *[American Gangster](/source/American_Gangster_(film))* (2007), Ronnie in *[Silver Linings Playbook](/source/Silver_Linings_Playbook)* (2012), Victor Nieves in *[Kong: Skull Island](/source/Kong%3A_Skull_Island)* (2017), Dr. Powell in *[Bumblebee](/source/Bumblebee_(film))* (2018) and Arthur in *[American Fiction](/source/American_Fiction_(film))* (2023).

## Personal life

Ortiz was born and raised in the [Bushwick](/source/Bushwick) neighborhood of [Brooklyn](/source/Brooklyn), [New York](/source/New_York_(state)); he is of [Puerto Rican](/source/Puerto_Rico) ancestry. He graduated from [John Dewey High School](/source/John_Dewey_High_School) in Brooklyn, where he met his wife. Ortiz resided in that borough with his wife Jennifer and son Clemente until 2010, when he and his family moved to [California](/source/California).[1]

## Career

In 1993, John made his film debut as [Al Pacino](/source/Al_Pacino)'s young cousin Guajiro in *[Carlito's Way](/source/Carlito's_Way)*. He has gone on to appear in over 30 films, including *[El Cantante](/source/El_Cantante)*, *[Take the Lead](/source/Take_the_Lead)*, *[Before Night Falls](/source/Before_Night_Falls_(film))*, *[Amistad](/source/Amistad_(film))*, *[Ransom](/source/Ransom_(1996_film))*, and *[Narc](/source/Narc_(film))*. His recent film performances include those in [Michael Mann](/source/Michael_Mann_(director))'s *[Miami Vice](/source/Miami_Vice_(film))* as drug lord Jose Yero, [Ridley Scott](/source/Ridley_Scott)'s *[American Gangster](/source/American_Gangster_(film))* as [Russell Crowe](/source/Russell_Crowe)'s partner Javy Rivera, and [Travis Knight](/source/Travis_Knight)'s *[Bumblebee](/source/Bumblebee_(film))* as scientist Dr. Powell.

Among Ortiz's television roles, he has played the lead in [J. J. Abrams](/source/J._J._Abrams)'s *Hope Against Hope* for [HBO](/source/HBO), a series regular on [Denis Leary](/source/Denis_Leary)'s series *[The Job](/source/The_Job_(2001_TV_series))* and [CBS](/source/Columbia_Broadcasting_System)'s *[Clubhouse](/source/Clubhouse_(TV_series))* as well as the [NBC](/source/NBC) cop drama *Blue Blood*, directed by [Brett Ratner](/source/Brett_Ratner).

In 1992, Ortiz formed Latino Actors Base with 13 other Latino actors to provide themselves with a place to work and an opportunity to become a tightly knit ensemble. Today, that ensemble is known as LAByrinth Theater Company: an award-winning troupe of over 100 artists from a wide range of cultural backgrounds and creative disciplines.

With LAByrinth, he played the role of Clyde in the world premiere of *[Jack Goes Boating](/source/Jack_Goes_Boating_(play))* by [Bob Glaudini](/source/Bob_Glaudini) (Drama Desk nomination). In 2006, he appeared as [Che Guevara](/source/Che_Guevara) in the world premiere of *School of the Americas* by Jose Rivera, a co-production between LAByrinth Theater Company and The Public Theater. Other co-productions between LAByrinth and the Public include the role of Jesus in the world premiere of *The Last Days of Judas Iscariot* by Stephen Adly Guirgis, and José Solo in *Guinea Pig Solo* by Brett C. Leonard. Other LAByrinth Theater credits include *Jesus Hopped the A Train* by Stephen Adly Guirgis in London and New York (Drama Desk nomination, Drama League Award) and *Where's My Money?* written and directed by [John Patrick Shanley](/source/John_Patrick_Shanley).

In 2003, Ortiz made his Broadway debut in Nilo Cruz' [Pulitzer Prize](/source/Pulitzer_Prize) winning play *[Anna in the Tropics](/source/Anna_in_the_Tropics)*.[2] He appeared in three world premiere plays by José Rivera: *The Adoration of the Old Woman* at [La Jolla Playhouse](/source/La_Jolla_Playhouse), *Sueño* at [MCC Theater](/source/MCC_Theater) and *The Street of the Sun* at [Mark Taper Forum](/source/Mark_Taper_Forum). He was also featured in two New York premieres of Rivera's plays: *References to Salvador Dalí Make Me Hot* at the Public Theater ([OBIE Award](/source/OBIE_Award)) and *Cloud Tectonics* at Playwrights Horizons. Ortiz also appeared in *The Skin of Our Teeth* and *De Donde* at the Public Theater; the world tours of *The Merchant of Venice* and *The Persians* directed by [Peter Sellars](/source/Peter_Sellars); *House Arrest* at [Arena Stage](/source/Arena_Stage); and the national tour of *A Few Good Men*; *Pentecost* at [Yale Repertory Theatre](/source/Yale_Repertory_Theatre).

### Recent projects

Ortiz appeared in the feature films *[Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem](/source/Aliens_vs._Predator%3A_Requiem)*, *[Pride and Glory](/source/Pride_and_Glory_(film))*, *[Public Enemies](/source/Public_Enemies_(2009_film)),* *[Fast & Furious](/source/Fast_%26_Furious_(2009_film))*, and *[Jack Goes Boating](/source/Jack_Goes_Boating)*, directed by [Philip Seymour Hoffman](/source/Philip_Seymour_Hoffman), in January 2009. In Summer 2009, he starred on stage in *[Othello](/source/Othello)* at the Vienna Festival. Beginning in December 2012, he appeared as Jackie in the [Stephen Adly Guirgis](/source/Stephen_Adly_Guirgis) play *[The Motherfucker with the Hat](/source/The_Motherfucker_with_the_Hat)* at [Chicago](/source/Chicago)'s [Steppenwolf Theatre Company](/source/Steppenwolf_Theatre_Company).[3] He also co-starred in *[Silver Linings Playbook](/source/Silver_Linings_Playbook)*.

## Filmography

### Film

Year Film Role Notes 1993 Carlito's Way Guajiro Italian Movie Cesar 1995 Lotto Land Coco 1996 Ransom Roberto Sgt. Bilko Spc. Luis Clemente 1997 Amistad Montes 1998 Side Streets Ramon Yanes 1999 The Last Marshal Enrico 2000 The Opportunists Ismael Espinoza Before Night Falls Juann Abreu 2001 3 A.M. Hector 2002 Narc Octavio Ruiz 2006 El Cantante Willie Colón Take the Lead Mr. Temple Miami Vice Jose Yero The Deep and Dreamless Sleep Mervin 2007 Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem Sheriff Eddie Morales American Gangster Javier J. Rivera Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture 2008 Pride and Glory Ruben Santiago 2009 Public Enemies Phil D'Andrea Fast & Furious Ramon Campos/Arturo Braga 2010 Jack Goes Boating Clyde Also executive producer Nominated—Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Actor Nominated—Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male 2012 Silver Linings Playbook Ronnie 2013 Fast & Furious 6 Arturo Braga Cameo 2014 César Chávez Eli Ordonez The Drop Detective Torres 2015 Blackhat Henry Pollack Steve Jobs Joel Pforzheimer 2016 The Finest Hours Seaman Wallace Quirey A Woman, a Part Isaac 2017 A Dog's Purpose Carlos Kong: Skull Island Victor Nieves Going in Style Jesús Garcia 2018 Nostalgia Daniel Kalman The Cloverfield Paradox Monk Acosta Peppermint Detective Moises Beltran Replicas Jones Bumblebee Dr. Powell 2019 Ad Astra Lieutenant General Rivas Ms. White Light Gary 2020 Horse Girl Ron 2021 The Fallout Carlos Cavell 2023 American Fiction Arthur Poolman Wayne / Dirk Pfumpter 2024 The Mothership Filmed in 2021, abandoned in 2024 during endless post-production[4] 2025 The Diamond King Narrator Documentary 2025 Nobody 2 Wyatt Martin 2026 Whalefall † Filming

### Television

Year Film Role Notes 1992–2008 Law & Order Roberto Martinez / Victor Vargas Guest (2 episodes) 1995 New York Undercover Episode: Olde Tyme Religion 1996 Lush Life Nelson 'Margarita' Marquez Regular (7 episodes) 1997 Touched by an Angel Nicky Guest (2 episodes) 1997 Riot Ciaco TV movie 2001–2002 The Job Ruben Somarriba Regular (19 episodes) 2003 The Handler DEA Agent Episode: - Homewrecker's Ball 2004 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Officer Zermeño Episode: Charisma 2004–2005 Clubhouse Carlos Tavares Regular (10 episodes) 2007 CSI: Miami Gabriel Soto Episode: Guerillas in the Mist 2008 Blue Blood Hector TV movie 2009 Anatomy of Hope Tom Hernandez TV movie 2009 Medium Agent Daniel Muñoz Episode: Bring Me the Head of Oswaldo Castillo 2011–2012 Luck Turo Escalante Regular (9 episodes) 2014 Rake Ben Leon Regular (13 episodes) 2015–2016 Togetherness David Recurring (7 episodes) 2017 The Guest Book Paul Guest (2 episodes) 2018 Mayans MC Esai "Taino" Osorio Regular 2019 The Handmaid's Tale Principal Jim Guest 2020 Messiah Felix Iguero Regular (10 episodes) 2020 Little America Squash Coach Episode: The Jaguar 2022 Promised Land Joe Sandoval Lead (Main Cast) (10 episodes) 2022 Better Things Ranger Episode: "We Are Not Alone" 2024 Will Trent Antonio Miranda Recurring (S2) 2024 Bad Monkey Rogelio Recurring 2024 The Madness Franco Quinones Recurring

## Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated work Results Ref 2023 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture American Fiction Nominated [5] 2020 Imagen Awards Best Supporting Actor – Television Little America Won [6] 2010 Independent Spirit Awards Best Supporting Male Jack Goes Boating Nominated

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [John Ortiz and Rosie Perez: Accidental Actors](http://www.puertorico-herald.org/issues/2001/vol5n15/OrtizPerez-en.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20081201130144/http://www.puertorico-herald.org/issues/2001/vol5n15/OrtizPerez-en.html) December 1, 2008, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) from the [New York Times](/source/New_York_Times), date April 8, 2001

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [Simonson, Robert](/source/Simonson%2C_Robert). ["Cast Official for Broadway's 'Anna in the Tropics'; Begins Nov. 4"](http://www.playbill.com/news/article/cast-official-for-broadways-anna-in-the-tropics-begins-nov.-4-115735) playbill.com, October 14, 2003

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Sullivan, Katie. ["Review: 'The Motherfucker with the Hat' Entertains but Fails to Dig Deep"](http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/C-Notes/January-2013/Review-The-Motherfucker-with-the-Hat-Entertains-but-Fails-to-Dig-Deep/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170313220333/http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/C-Notes/January-2013/Review-The-Motherfucker-with-the-Hat-Entertains-but-Fails-to-Dig-Deep/) March 13, 2017, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) chicagomag.com, January 14, 2013

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Stedman, Alex (January 24, 2024). ["Netflix Scraps Halle Berry Sci-Fi Film The Mothership, Despite Completing Filming"](https://www.ign.com/articles/netflix-scraps-halle-berry-sci-fi-film-the-mothership-despite-completing-filming). *[IGN Entertainment](/source/IGN_Entertainment)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250125053400/https://www.ign.com/articles/netflix-scraps-halle-berry-sci-fi-film-the-mothership-despite-completing-filming) from the original on January 25, 2025. Retrieved January 24, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Nominations Announced for the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®"](https://www.sagawards.org/media/news/releases/nominations-announced-30th-annual-screen-actors-guild-awardsr) (Press release). [Screen Actors Guild](/source/Screen_Actors_Guild). January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Rosario, Alexandra Del (September 25, 2020). ["Imagen Awards Winners List: 'Dora And The Lost City Of Gold,' 'Los Espookys' Among Honorees"](https://deadline.com/2020/09/imagen-awards-winners-list-dora-and-the-lost-city-of-gold-los-espookys-among-honorees-1234585103/). *Deadline*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221110145331/https://deadline.com/2020/09/imagen-awards-winners-list-dora-and-the-lost-city-of-gold-los-espookys-among-honorees-1234585103/) from the original on November 10, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2022.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [John Ortiz](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:John_Ortiz).

- [John Ortiz](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0651159/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

- [Lab Theater: John Ortiz](https://web.archive.org/web/20090202123031/http://www.labtheater.org/companymembers/member45.html)

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND WorldCat National United States France BnF data Czech Republic Spain Poland Israel Other IdRef Yale LUX

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