Michael Peña

**Michael Peña** (/ˈpeɪnjə/; Spanish: [ˈpeɲa]; born January 13, 1976) is a critically acclaimed American actor distinguishing himself with a prolific career in both film and television. Recognized for his roles in renowned films such as Crash (2004), World Trade Center (2006), Shooter (2007), and more. Peña had the title role in Cesar Chavez (2014) and also has been known for his roles in blockbuster films such as American Hustle (2013), The Martian (2015), and the Ant-Man series. His extensive career spans over multiple decades, earning him nominations such as the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male for his performance in End of Watch. Born in Chicago, Illinois, to parents who emigrated from Mexico, Peña grew up in the North Lawndale area and exhibited a keen interest in the performing arts, which led him to pursue a successful acting career. He made his breakthrough appearances in two Best Picture Oscar-winning Paul Haggis-penned films, Million Dollar Baby and Crash. His potent emotional performance in Crash garnered significant attention. After his breakthrough, Peña went on to work in several critically acclaimed and popular movies and TV shows like Narcos: Mexico. Outside of acting, Peña also had a musical stint, forming a rock band called Nico Vega in 2005 which he left later to concentrate on his acting career.