Carlos Sanz

Carlos Sanz (born December 31, 1965) is an American actor whose career spans film, television, and stage. Hailing from Chicago, Illinois, he earned a degree in mathematics and philosophy from the University of Illinois Chicago before turning his analytical mind toward the craft of performance. Sanz first emerged on screen in the late 1990s, quickly establishing a reputation for playing complex, often morally ambiguous characters. His breakthrough came with the 2006 action thriller Crank, where he portrayed the ruthless villain Carlito, a role that showcased his ability to blend menace with a darkly charismatic presence. Beyond Crank, he has taken on a wide variety of parts, from the heroic real‑life figure Carlos Arredondo in Stronger—the man who rescued Boston Marathon bombing survivor Jeff Bauman—to a corrupt Costa Rican police captain in Runner Runner, where he shared the screen with Justin Timberlake and Ben Affleck. Sanz’s filmography includes collaborations with celebrated directors such as Ron Howard, Andrew Davis, and Alan Rudolph, and he has appeared alongside cultural icons like Toby Keith, Penelope Ann Miller, and John Leguizamo.