Pepe Serna
Acting
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."
Known for
Acting135
movieFlamin' Hot
2023
Abuelito
tvWith Love
2021
Luis Delgado
movieThe Margarita Man
2019
Jose Martinez
movieFrom the Dead
2019
Rodrigo
movieDownsizing
2017
Señor Cárdenas
tvDimension 404
2017
Wally Nash
movieUnder Water: Dive Deep
2016
Lil' Big Me
movieRestored Me
2016
Manny
movieSuperpowerless
2016
Dr. George Holst
movieKill or Be Killed
2016
Rudy Goebel
movieRoad to Juarez
2015
Fortunato
movieAna Maria in Novela Land
2015
Father Miguel
movieCake
2014
Nuncio
movieMan from Reno
2014
Paul Del Moral
movieWhite on Rice
2009
Professor Berk
movieThe Black Dahlia
2006
Tomas Dos Santos
movieThe Virgin of Juarez
2006
Eduardo Morales
movieBig Dreams Little Tokyo
2006
Mr. Gonzalez
tvCriminal Minds
2005
Ruben Garcia
movieLatin Dragon
2004
Hector Sanchez
movieExposed
2003
Raoul
movieDeadly Swarm
2003
Commandante Alvarez
tvJustice League
2001
Shifflet (voice)
movieAlong for the Ride
2001
Dr. Sanchez
movieDaybreak
2000
Herman Ortiz
movieBread and Roses
2000
Restaurateur
moviePicking Up the Pieces
2000
Florencio
tvThe PJs
1999
Sanchez (voice)
tvJesse
1998
Pappa Vasquez
movieThe Brave
1997
Alessandro
tvSliders
1995
Roberto
movieIn the Flesh
1995
Harlan Ramirez
movieA Million to Juan
1994
Mr. Ortiz
tvSecond Chances
1993
Salvador Lopez
tvDiagnosis: Murder
1993
Capt. Collins
tvDudley
1993
Santana
movieJonny's Golden Quest
1993
Agent Menendez
movieOnly You
1992
Dock Official
movieAmerican Me
1992
Mundo
movieThe Rookie
1990
Lt. Ray Garcia
movieBad Jim
1990
Virgilio Segura
movieThe Forgotten
1989
Sgt. Pepe Gutierrez
tvQuantum Leap
1989
Manuel Vega
movieBreak of Dawn
1988
Hector
movieCaddyshack II
1988
Carlos
tvThe Fortunate Pilgrim
1988
John Colucci
movieThe Three Kings
1987
Alex Sweetwood
tvA Year in the Life
1987
Carlos
movieOut of Bounds
1986
Murano
tvMatlock
1986
Walter Padilla
movieStreets of Justice
1985
Det. Almos
tvHell Town
1985
Enrique
movieFandango
1985
Gas Station Mechanic
tvHunter
1984
Roberto Sanchez
tvMiami Vice
1984
Oswaldo Guzman / Zabado
movieRed Dawn
1984
Aardvark's Father
movieBest Kept Secrets
1984
Jim Ramos
movieScarface
1983
Angel
movieThe Ballad of Gregorio Cortez
1983
Romaldo Cortez
tvThe A-Team
1983
Tómas Jefferson
movieWhite Water Rebels
1983
Harry Cutter
tvT. J. Hooker
1982
Frank Fierro
movieSeguin
1982
Manuel Flores
movieVice Squad
1982
Pete Mendez
tvAmerican Playhouse
1982
Manuel Flores / Romaldo Cortez / Hector / Marpo
tvHill Street Blues
1981
Raymond Cassiano
movie300 Miles for Stephanie
1981
Bobby Hernandez
movieInside Moves
1980
Herrada
movieHoneysuckle Rose
1980
Rooster
movieCity in Fear
1980
Raymond Zavala
movieThe Jerk
1979
Punk #1
movieThe Streets of L.A.
1979
Sgt. Castro
movieWalk Proud
1979
Cesar
movieA Force of One
1979
Orlando
movieTarantulas: The Deadly Cargo
1977
Migrant Worker (uncredited)
movieCar Wash
1976
Chuco
movieThe Killer Inside Me
1976
Johnny Lopez
movieSwashbuckler
1976
Street Entertainer
tvBarney Miller
1975
Julio Rodriguez
movieThe Gun
1974
Natcho
tvThe Rockford Files
1974
Ray Ochoa
movieThe Last Angry Man
1974
Charlie Parelli
movieMiracle on 34th Street
1973
Y Leader
tvKojak
1973
Enorio Patias / Rudy Diaz
tvKung Fu
1972
Los Vidrios
movieThe New Centurions
1972
Young Mexican Man
movieJohnny Got His Gun
1971
Jose (uncredited)
tvAdam-12
1968
Roger
Production2
movieFrom the Dead
2019
Associate Producer
movieKill or Be Killed
2016
Associate Producer