Gregory Sierra
Acting
Gregory Sierra (January 25, 1937 – January 4, 2021) was a distinguished American actor, celebrated for his versatility and powerful presence on both television and film. Born on January 25, 1937, in New York City's Spanish Harlem, Sierra was of Puerto Rican descent and faced a challenging upbringing after being abandoned by his parents and raised by an aunt. Despite his early hardships, he found a path to acting after impressing at an impromptu audition for an acting school in Manhattan. Sierra's career began on stage, notably with the National Shakespeare Company and performances at the New York Shakespeare Festival. He transitioned to television in the late 1960s and quickly became a familiar face, first gaining major attention as Julio Fuentes, the memorable Puerto Rican neighbor on Sanford and Son, and then as Detective Sergeant Chano Amengual on Barney Miller—two roles that remain among his most enduring contributions to classic TV. Sierra's roster of work included appearances on The Flying Nun, Soap, Miami Vice, Hill Street Blues, Zorro and Son, and scores of guest roles on popular series such as All in the Family, The X-Files, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. His film credits span genres and decades, featuring roles in Beneath the Planet of the Apes, Papillon, The Towering Inferno, and Deep Cover. Gregory Sierra was admired for bringing depth, nuance, and authenticity to every character he portrayed, endearing him to fans and earning the respect of peers. He passed away on January 4, 2021, in Laguna Woods, California, leaving behind a rich legacy in entertainment that spanned nearly fifty years.
Known for
Acting110
movieThe Other Side of the Wind
2018
Jack Simon
movieVampires
1998
Father Giovanni
movieJane Austen's Mafia!
1998
Bonifacio
movieJohnny 316
1998
Kareem
movieThe Wonderful Ice Cream Suit
1998
Villanazul
tvBeyond Belief: Fact or Fiction
1997
Lyle Norman (segment "Rock & Roll Ears")
Common Law
1996
Luis Alvarez
movieA Low Down Dirty Shame
1994
Captain Nunez
tvEllen
1994
General Colon
tvThe X-Files
1993
Dr. Diamond
tvThea
1993
Mr. Guiterrez
movieHot Shots! Part Deux
1993
The Captain
tvWalker, Texas Ranger
1993
Rafael Mendoza
tvDr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
1993
Gen. Eli Parker
movieHoney, I Blew Up the Kid
1992
Terence Wheeler
movieDeep Cover
1992
Felix Barbosa
movieDonor
1990
Hector Aliosa
movieUnspeakable Acts
1990
Frank Fuster
movieDesperado: Badlands Justice
1989
Jesus Gutierrez
tvSomething Is Out There
1988
Victor Maldonado
tvSomething Is Out There
1988
Victor Maldonado
movieThe Trouble with Spies
1987
Capt. Sanchez
movieHer Secret Life
1987
Vic 'The Dancer' Pena
movieLet's Get Harry
1986
Alphonso
tvMacGyver
1985
Colonel Antunnez / Captain Diaz / General Antonio Vasquez
tvGrowing Pains
1985
Dr. Paul Ramirez
movieCommand 5
1985
Delgado
movieStingray
1985
Anthony 'Tony' Mendosa
tvMurder, She Wrote
1984
Sanchez / Ramon / Moreno / Lieutenant Gabriel Caceras
tvHunter
1984
Councilman Michael Elandro
movieMiami Vice: Brother's Keeper
1984
Lt. Lou Rodriguez
tvMiami Vice
1984
Lt. Lou Rodriguez
tvAirwolf
1984
Frank Ochoa
tvBlue Thunder
1984
Luis Creighton Acuna
tvMasquerade
1983
Omani
tvZorro and Son
1983
Commandante Paco Pic
movieUncommon Valor
1983
George Callender
movieFarrell: For the People
1982
Det. Mike Rodriguez
tvCagney & Lacey
1982
Eddie 'Cleanhead' Stutz
tvFalcon Crest
1981
FBI-Agent Taylor
tvSimon & Simon
1981
Gregory Cable / Raul Gutierrez
tvThe Greatest American Hero
1981
Sheriff Mark Vargas
tvHill Street Blues
1981
ADA Alvarez / ADA Alvarez (archive footage) (uncredited)
movie300 Miles for Stephanie
1981
Dr. Galfas
tvMagnum, P.I.
1980
Miguel Torres
movieThe Night the Bridge Fell Down
1980
Diego Ramirez
tvHart to Hart
1979
Eduardo / Howard Castle
movieThe Prisoner of Zenda
1979
Count Montparnasse
movieEvening in Byzantium
1978
Fabricio
tvEvening in Byzantium
1978
Fabricio
movieMean Dog Blues
1978
Jesus Gonzalez
tvLou Grant
1977
Hector
tvQuincy, M.E.
1976
Rick Durado
Antonio and the Mayor
1975
Mayor Acambarros
tvBarney Miller
1975
Miguel Amenguale
tvPetrocelli
1974
Rudolph Chavez
movieThe Castaway Cowboy
1974
Marruja
movieHonky Tonk
1974
Slade
moviePapillon
1973
Antonio
tvHawkins
1973
Prosecutor Denton
movieThe Thief Who Came to Dinner
1973
Dynamite Hector
tvKung Fu
1972
Zolly
tvThe Streets of San Francisco
1972
Patrolman Burgers
tvBanyon
1972
Raoul Lopaca
tvThe Waltons
1972
Volta
tvBanacek
1972
Norman Esposito
movieThe Culpepper Cattle Co.
1972
One-Eyed Horsethief
moviePocket Money
1972
Chavarin (as Gregg Sierra)
tvSanford and Son
1972
Julio Fuentes
tvColumbo
1971
Lou D'Allessandro
movieRed Sky at Morning
1971
Chamaco
tvAll in the Family
1971
Paul Benjamin
movieWeekend of Terror
1970
Police Sergeant
tvMcCloud
1970
1st Deputy
tvMedical Center
1969
Mendez
tvThe Bill Cosby Show
1969
Mr. Sierra
tvThe Mod Squad
1968
Zamaron
tvIt Takes a Thief
1968
Fletcher
tvThe High Chaparral
1967
Arrigo
tvThe Flying Nun
1967
Officer Juarez
tvIronside
1967
Billy Trona
tvMission: Impossible
1966
Fernando Laroca / Gomal / Prado's butler
tvGunsmoke
1955
Blue Jacket / Osuna