Pepe Serna
Age: N/A | From: Corpus Christi, Texas, USA
Person Details
Birthday:
Aliases: No known aliases
Gender: Male
Place of birth: Corpus Christi, Texas, USA
Homepage:
Movie Involvements: 56
TV Involvements: 18
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
(2005) Ruben Garcia
Diagnosis: Murder
(1993) Capt. Collins
Adam-12
(1968) Roger
Knight Rider
(1982) Lupo
The Rockford Files
(1974) Ray Ochoa
Hunter
(1984) Roberto Sanchez
T. J. Hooker
(1982) Frank Fierro
Quantum Leap
(1989) Manuel VegaActing
| Year | Character | Movie/Tv |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | N/A | |
| 2023 | N/A | |
| Abuelito | ||
| 2022 | Rancher | |
| 2021 | Luis Delgado | |
| 2019 | Jesús | |
| Jose Martinez | ||
| Rodrigo | ||
| N/A | ||
| 2017 | Señor Cárdenas | |
| Pepe | ||
| Wally Nash | ||
| 2016 | Paul | |
| Lil' Big Me | ||
| Manny | ||
| Dr. George Holst | ||
| Rudy Goebel | ||
| 2015 | Fortunato | |
| Father Miguel | ||
| 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 | ||
| Florencio | ||
| 1999 | Sanchez (voice) | |
| 1998 | Pappa Vasquez | |
| 1997 | Alessandro | |
| 1995 | Roberto | |
| Harlan Ramirez | ||
| 1994 | N/A | |
| Mr. Ortiz | ||
| 1993 | Salvador Lopez | |
| Capt. Collins | ||
| Santana | ||
| Agent Menendez | ||
| 1992 | Mundo | |
| Dock Official | ||
| 1991 | N/A | |
| 1990 | Lt. Ray 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 | |
| Enrique | ||
| Gas Station Mechanic | ||
| 1984 | Roberto Sanchez | |
| N/A | ||
| Zabado | ||
| Reno Nevada | ||
| Aardvark's Father | ||
| Jim Ramos | ||
| 1983 | Angel | |
| Vardis | ||
| 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 | ||
| Juan | ||
| 1978 | N/A | |
| 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 | |
| N/A | ||
| Year | Character | Movie/Tv |
Production
| Year | Role | Movie/Tv |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Associate Producer | |
| 2016 | Associate Producer | |
| Year | Role | Movie/Tv |