Person Details

Birthday:

Aliases: No known aliases

Gender: Male

Place of birth: Corpus Christi, Texas, USA

Homepage:

Movie Involvements: 55

TV Involvements: 16


Most Famous Work

Biography

Durable Mexican-American actor Pepe Serna has appeared in more than 100 feature films and 300 television shows, but is most recognized for his gritty support performances in a variety of motion pictures, including Scarface (1983) as Al Pacino's ill-fated cocaine partner, as well as the western Silverado (1985) with Kevin Costner, the crime yarn The Rookie (1990) starring Clint Eastwood and Charlie Sheen, and the drama American Me (1992) starring Edward James Olmos. In a career surpassing five decades, Pepe's characters have played on both sides of the law -- from drug peddlers to sheriffs. He was born (and raised) in Corpus Christi, Texas on July 23, 1944, the son of a naval base interpreter for Latin American pilots and a hairdresser. His desires to become an actor happened early in life, moving to Hollywood in 1969 to finally pursue his dreams. He didn't have to wait long to find steady Latino work on film and TV. Making an inauspicious debut in the exploitation film The Student Nurses (1970), Pepe found more "A" quality work after being discovered by producer Hal B. Wallis for the coming-of-age film Tim Belcher starring Richard Thomas and Catherine Burns and the western Shoot Out (1971) starring Gregory Peck. Specializing in urban, streetwise roles, he went on to mix a number of popular films (The New Centurions (1972), The Day of the Locust (1975), Car Wash (1976), A Force of One (1979), Walk Proud (1979), Honeysuckle Rose (1980), Inside Moves (1980), Deal of the Century (1983), Red Dawn (1984), Caddyshack II (1988)) with a slew of popular TV crime dramas such as "Mannix," "Police Story," "Adam-12," "The Rookies," "The Rockford Files," "Baretta," "Kojak," "CHiPs," "Barney Miller," "Scarecrow & Mrs. King," "T.J. Hooker," "Simon & Simon," "Hill Street Blues," "Miami Vice," "Cagney & Lacey" and "Diagnosis Murder." Long married to wife Diane, Pepe is a noted keynote teacher and motivational speaker who tours colleges and universities. His strong sideline as a painter has been met with critical success, having been commissioned quite frequently. His vibrant paintings and one-man stage shows reflect a serious return to his Mexican roots and was the subject of the 2015 short documentary "Life Is Art."

Most Famous Work

Criminal Minds
Average
8

Criminal Minds

(2005) Ruben Garcia
Diagnosis: Murder
Average
7

Diagnosis: Murder

(1993) Capt. Collins
Adam-12
Average
7

Adam-12

(1968) Roger
Knight Rider
Average
8

Knight Rider

(1982) Lupo
The Rockford Files
Average
7

The Rockford Files

(1974) Ray Ochoa
Hunter
Average
7

Hunter

(1984) Roberto Sanchez
T. J. Hooker
Average
6

T. J. Hooker

(1982) Frank Fierro
Quantum Leap
Average
8

Quantum Leap

(1989) Manuel Vega

Acting

Year Character Movie/Tv
2023 N/A
Abuelito
2022 Rancher
2021 Luis Delgado
2019 Jesús
Jose Martinez
Rodrigo
N/A
2017 Señor Cárdenas
Wally Nash
2016 Paul
Lil' Big Me
Manny
Dr. George Holst
Rudy Goebel
2015 Fortunato
2014 Nuncio
Paul Del Moral
2006 Tomas Dos Santos
Mr. Gonzalez
2005 Ruben Garcia
2004 Hector Sanchez
2003 Raoul
Commandante Alvarez
N/A
2001 Shifflet (voice)
Dr. Sanchez
N/A
2000 Herman Ortiz
Bum
Restaurateur
1999 Mr. Sanchez
1998 N/A
1997 Alessandro
1995 Roberto
1994 N/A
Mr. Ortiz
1993 Salvador Lopez
Capt. Collins
Santana
Agent Menendez
1992 Mundo
Dock Official
1990 Lt. Raymond Garcia
Raoul
N/A
Virgilio Segura
1989 Sgt. Pepe Gutierrez
Manuel Vega
1988 Hector
Carlos
John Colucci
N/A
1987 Alex Sweetwood
Carlos
1986 Murano
1985 Det. Almos
Gas Station Mechanic
1984 Roberto Sanchez
N/A
Reno Nevada
Mr. Mondragón
Jim Ramos
1983 Angel
N/A
Romaldo Cortez
Tómas Jefferson
Harry Cutter
1982 Lupo
N/A
Frank Fierro
Manuel Flores
Pete Mendez
1981 N/A
Vito
N/A
N/A
Bobby Hernandez
1980 Herrada
Rooster
Raymond Zavala
1979 Punk #1
Sgt. Castro
Cesar
Orlando
1978 N/A
Juan
1977 Migrant Worker (uncredited)
N/A
N/A
N/A
1976 Chuco
Johnny Lopez
Street Entertainer
1975 Mano
Miguel
N/A
Ruiz
Julio Rodriguez
N/A
1974 Natcho
Ray Ochoa
Charlie Parelli
1973 Y Leader
Enorio Patias
Rudy Diaz
N/A
Ramon
1972 N/A
N/A
Young Mexican Man
1971 N/A
Pepe
1970 Luis
1968 Roger
1967 N/A
Year Character Movie/Tv

Production

Year Role Movie/Tv
2019 Associate Producer
2016 Associate Producer
Year Role Movie/Tv

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