Jose Perez (actor)

José Pérez (born 1940) is a Puerto Rican American actor from New York City. His acting career spanned fifty three years, comprising roles on Broadway,[1] off-Broadway,[2] on television and in films.[3] He first caught the attention of audiences and reviewers as a child actor in the '50s[4][5] and then had a second career as an adult beginning in the '60s through 2003.[6] He is best known for his roles as the Attendant (God) in Steambath,[7]: 346 [8] Hector Fuentes in On the Rocks,[9]: 1017  and Mike Torres in New York Undercover.[9]: 976 

For other people named Jose Perez, see José Pérez.
José Pérez
1975 Press Photo ~ JOSE PEREZ as prisoner Hector Fuentes ~ On the Rocks
1975 Press Photo ~ JOSE PEREZ as prisoner Hector Fuentes from the TV show On the Rocks
Born1940 (age 82–83)
Fajardo, Puerto Rico
OccupationActor
Years active1950–2003

Early years

Pérez was born in the town of Fajardo, on the eastern tip of Puerto Rico.[6] His father, Arcadio Pérez, was a cigar maker who joined the Merchant Marine and moved his five children to New York City in 1948, when José was eight. He grew up in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood,[10] where he worked as a shoeshine boy and carried bags at the Greyhound bus terminal.[11]

He began acting at the age of nine, after a counselor from the East Side Boys’ Club approached him outside Lindy's Broadway delicatessen[12] (or, by another account, the restaurant was "Toffenetti"),[13] where he was shining shoes and opening car-doors for tips, and asked him if he would like to be in a show, and if he could sing.[14] Pérez sang a birthday tune and the man then asked his parents if Pérez could audition for a part in the Broadway production of South Pacific, because the boy who had been playing the part of Jerome had gotten too tall for the role. He got the part, which he performed regularly, first as an understudy and later as principal,[13] for the next two years.

After South Pacific Pérez got a role as a twelve year old Venetian boy in The Time of the Cuckoo, which he played on Broadway[4] and continued to play when the production then toured the country.[12] His portrayal brought him attention from critics and the national gossip-columnist Walter Winchell, who described him as "gifted".[5]

His next theater role was in the off-Broadway play Me, Candido! in 1956, where he played the title character.[15]

From 1952 through 1959 Pérez got roles on live television drama anthology series, including on NBC's Philco Television Playhouse,[16] Pond's Theater on ABC,[17] CBS's Appointment with Adventure,[18] NBC's Kraft Television Theater,[19] The U.S. Steel Hour,[11] Omnibus,[20] and in the movie A Life in the Balance, where his performance received more critical attention than that of the stars.[21]

Later career

When Pérez was about 20 he attended Herbert Berghof Studio and Lee Strasberg’s acting class to improve his skills.[6] He then played Roberto Escalante in the film The Young Savages, and acted in a string of off-Broadway plays, including Square in the Eye, The Ox Cart (La Carreta) and Goa, as well as two Broadway plays (Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie? and Camino Real).[1] In each case, the production closed after a short run.

During this period Pérez was a guest star on the television series East Side/West Side, Hawk,[22]: 384  N.Y.P.D.[22]: 384  and contributed a small supporting role in the movie Born to Win.[3]: 162 

Then, in 1971 he got the role of "Speed" in the Shakespeare in the Park production of Two Gentlemen of Verona, and continued to play the part on Broadway in the St. James Theatre production.[1]

Pérez is best known for his portrayal of the attendant/God role in Steambath, both in the original PBS TV movie in 1973,[7]: 346 [22]: 384 [8] where his performance was described as "by all odds the acting coup of this season",[23] and the Showtime TV series in 1984, with the same name and based on the same premise,[24] which earned him a nomination for an ACE Award.[25]

In 1973 Pérez had a lead role as Ramon Gonzalez in the sitcom Calucci's Department.[26]: 154 [9]: 212 [27] He next starred in the television pilot Aces Up[26]: 7 [28][29] and was billed as the star of the single ('75/'76) season television series On the Rocks[30][9]: 1017 [26]: 786-787  as Hector Fuentes.[11]

In 1977 Pérez costarred as Juan in the big screen adaptation of Short Eyes,[31][3]: 1261  and in 1979 he costarred as Nordi in Night-Flowers.[32]

In 1982, he took the role of Police Inspector Carmona, opposite Robert Mitchum in the TV movie One Shoe Makes it Murder, where his performance was described as "steal[ing] every scene he's in." CBS considered his portrayal promising enough to create a spin-off of his character under the name Inspector Perez.[26]: 506 [33] Production did not progress past the pilot.[34] Another pilot that he participated in which wasn't made into a series was King of the Building[26]: 566  in 1987.

From 1994 to 1996 Pérez had a recurring role on New York Undercover, appearing in seventeen episodes as Mike Torres, the drug-addicted father of primary character Detective Eddie Torres.[9]: 976 

Pérez’ career included supporting roles on assorted TV series (including Miami Vice, Law & Order, Resurrection Blvd., The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. and Murder, She Wrote), a few more off-Broadway plays, two TV movies and in ten more theatrically released movies through 2003.

Social conscience and personal life

As an adult, Pérez, described as "a very serious ... man who would rather talk Shakespeare and Chekhov than television",[35] stated "I'm not in this for money" and "My goal now is to … make a statement".[36]

By the time he was 35, Pérez regretted the roles he had taken as a "member of a switch blade gang" as a youth, that he saw as reinforcing negative stereotypes about Latinos.

After Calucci's Department, Pérez was offered the part of Chico in Chico and the Man, but turned the role down because he considered the series to be insulting to the Mexican community.[37]

He saw his portrayal of the role of the character Juan in the movie Short Eyes as a chance to "say something as an artist that he [felt needed] to be said" and to "help right the image of Puerto Ricans on the screen."

"We’ve never been given the characteristics of sensitivity and intelligence that are attributed to everyone else." [said Pérez] His role as the most humane character among a group of ... prison inmates ... belies that trite stereotype. Perez [felt] that Puerto Ricans are the "immigrants … being looked down upon" [at this time] "but I think ‘Short Eyes’ will help change all that."[38]

One reason Pérez took the role in On the Rocks was, having read about the Attica Prison riot, which had taken place a few years previously, he wanted to "speak for the guys inside. We got to walk a fine line … but maybe we can make a comment."[35]

Pérez was arrested twice himself. As a youth, he was driving without a license,[31] and as an adult in Los Angeles he jaywalked on Hollywood Blvd. He had no identification on him and the officer questioning him did not believe he was "an actor from New York ... playing the role of God", so he spent the weekend in jail.[38][35][39]

Pérez almost gave up acting to start a trucking business with a friend after Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie? closed, because he was tired of the uncertainty and waiting tables to get by. Then he got the role in Two Gentlemen of Verona and his acting career continued.[14]

Pérez married Marion Levine in 1984.[40] At that time he lived in Greenwich Village and had an apartment in Los Angeles.[24] His parents still lived in the same neighborhood where he grew up, his father a cook and his mother a seamstress.[40]

Theatre credits

Broadway
Title Opening and Closing Dates Role Notes
South Pacific4/7/1949–1/16/1954Jerome (Alternating performances 1950-‘52)Played French planter's son[1]
The Time of the Cuckoo10/15/1952–5/30/1953MauroEmpire Theatre; 263 Performances[12][1]
Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?2/25/1969–3/29/1969PontiBelasco Theatre; with 58 total performances[1]
Camino Real1/8/1970–2/21/1970AbdullahRepertory Theatre of Lincoln Center 52 Performances [1]
Two Gentlemen of Verona12/1/1971-5/20/1973SpeedSt. James Theatre; 614 Performances[1]

Off-Broadway
Title Theatre Dates Role Notes
Me Candido!Greenwich Mews Theatre10/15/1956-3/3/1957Candido159 performances[2]
Square in the EyeLucille Lortel Theatre5/19/1965-6/13/1965Luis31 performances[2]
The Ox Cart (La Carreta)Greenwich Mews Theatre12/19/1966-2/26/1967Chaguito83 performances[2]
GoaMartinique Theatre2/22/1967-3/17/1967Goan Nationalist30 performances[2]
Two Gentlemen of VeronaDelacorte Theatre
(New York Shakespeare Festival)		7/22/1971-8/8/1971Speed14 performances[2]
The Taming of the ShrewDelacorte Theatre
(New York Shakespeare Festival)		6/22/1990-7/22/1990Grumio27 performances[2]
Eyes for ConsuelaNew York City Center/ Stage II2/10/1998-4/5/1998Viejo / Guitarist64 performances[2]
The Late Henry MossPeter Norton Space9/24/2001-11/4/2001Esteban[2]

Writing credits
Production Theatre Opened Credit
Eyes for ConsuelaNew York City Center/ Stage II2/10/1998Original Music

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1955A Life in the BalancePaco GomezPlayed kidnapped youth.[3]: 805 
1961The Young SavagesRoberto EscalantePlayed murder victim.
1971Born to WinJunior ConceptionSupporting role[3]: 162 
1977Short EyesJuanPlayed prisoner who befriends accused man[3]: 1261 
1979Night-FlowersNordiPlayed troubled war veteran[32]
1983The Sting IICarlosPlayed gangster's guard[41]
1983D.C. CabMr. Ernesto Bravo[42][43]
1985StickRainyPlayed murdered friend of lead[3]: 1333 
1990Miami BluesPablo[3]: 913 
1991Off and RunningJ.W. (Woody) VilelaPlayed murder victim[44]
1994Being HumanSantiago[3]: 104 
1994Motorcycle GangCop[3]: 945 
1998The Mask of ZorroCpl. Armando Garcia[45]
2000The Way of the GunJose Perez[46]
20032 Fast 2 FuriousJose[47]

Television
Year Title Role Notes
1952Philco Television PlayhousePepe"The Five Fathers of Pepe" [16] As an Italian street kid.
1957Kraft Television Theaterthe Stranger"Welcome to a Stranger"[19]
1959OmnibusTobyThe Medium[20]
1964East Side/West Side Paco/TonySeason 1, Episode 1 "The Sinner" and Season 1, Episode 19 "The Street"
1966HawkLou BarrowSeason 1, Episode 8 "How Close Can You Get?"
1967N.Y.P.D. Lopez Season 1, Episode 22 "Macho"
1973Calucci's DepartmentRamon GonzalezRecurring character[9]: 212 
1973Steambath (movie)Attendant (God)[7]: 346 [8]
1974Aces Up (movie)Jose PerezMain character[14][29][28]
1974The Godchild (movie)Sanchez[22]: 384 
1975On the RocksHector FuentesRecurring character[9]: 1017 [11]
1982One Shoe Makes it Murder (movie)Inspector CarmonaCo-starring with Robert Mitchum
1983Inspector PerezInspector Antonio PerezSpinoff Pilot from movie One Shoe Makes it Murder[33][26]: 506 
1984Steambath (the Showtime series)Attendant (God (aka 'Morty'))[24] Nominated for an ACE Award for his portrayal.[25]
1984Murder, She WroteLt. Mike HernandezSeason 1, Episode 4 "Hooray for Homicide"
1985Miami ViceJuan Carlos SilvaSeason 2, Episode 7 "Junk Love"
1986Courage (movie)Officer Jose Morales[3]: 288 
1987King of the BuildingHector[26]: 566 
1989Miami ViceJorge "Miracle Man" EstebanSeason 5, Episode 20 Guest starring as the title character "Miracle Man"[48]
1991Law & OrderRoberto DiazSeason 2, Episode 10 "Heaven"
1993The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.RobertoSeason 1, Episode 11 "Deep in the Heart of Dixie"
1994The Burning Season (movie)MoacirFather-in-law of the central character
1994-1996New York UndercoverMike Torres17 episodes (seasons 1–2), as father of Det. Eddie Torres[9]: 976 
2000Resurrection Blvd. Eddie Cervantes2 episodes in first season

References
  1. Internet Broadway Database. "Jose Perez". Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  2. Internet Off-Broadway Database. "Jose Perez". Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  3. Maltin, Leonard (2000). Leonard Maltin's Movie & Video Guide 2001. United Kingdom: Signet. ISBN 0451201078. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  4. "Shrewd Lad". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyn, New York). Jan 9, 1953. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  5. Winchell, Walter (Dec 18, 1952). "Gossip of the Nation". The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania). Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  6. Gardella, Kay (September 6, 1975). "Perez Began New Career at Age 20". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  7. Terrace, Vincent (2013). Television Specials 5,336 Entertainment Programs, 1936-2012, 2d Ed. United States: McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers. ISBN 9780786474448. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  8. "Steambath". AllMovie. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  9. Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle F. (2009). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and TV Shows 1946 – Present. Random House Publishing Group. ISBN 9780307483201. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  10. "Jose Perez - An old newcomer makes the grade". The Morning Herald (Hagerstown, Maryland). Mar 23, 1974. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  11. Gardella, Kay (7 September 1975). "Actor Jose Perez Serves TV Sentence in 'On The Rocks'". Daily News. Tribune Co. Retrieved Aug 3, 2021.
  12. Hopper, Hedda (16 September 1953). "Puerto Rican Youngster Gets Part in 'Time of the Cuckoo'". L.A. Times. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  13. Cortazal, Robert (April 15, 2021). Kid Meets Broadway (ebook ed.). United Kingdom: Fulton Books, Incorporated. ISBN 9781649523822. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  14. Wagner, Joyce (Aug 13, 1975). "Jose Perez Back to Steady Work". The Kansas City Times. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  15. Atkinson, Brooks (October 16, 1956). "Theatre: 'Me, Candido!'". The New York Times.
  16. "Reenactment to Reality". Daily News (New York, New York). Aug 10, 1952. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  17. Hoyland, R. J. (Apr 17, 1955). "On the Television Scene". The Kansas City Star (Kansas City, Missouri). Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  18. "APPOINTMENT WITH ADVENTURE: CURTAIN OF FEAR (TV)". The Paley Center for Media. The Paley Center. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  19. Vernon, Terry (Jul 24, 1957). "Ex-Immigrant Portrays One in Drama of N.Y." Press-Telegram (Long Beach, California). Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  20. "Omnibus Does An Hour Of Opera". The Tampa Times (Tampa, Florida). Feb 14, 1959. Retrieved 12 Aug 2022.
  21. Lentz, Robert J. (2015). Lee Marvin, His Films and Career. United Kingdom: McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers. pp. 58–59. ISBN 9781476604053. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  22. Parish, James Robert; Terrace, Vincent (1989). The Complete Actors' Television Credits, 1948-1988: Actors (Hardcover). United Kingdom: Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9780810822047. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  23. Shain, Percy (Aug 24, 1973). "'Steambath' with God-attendant may shock some". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  24. Hastings, Jullianne (July 16, 1984). "Jose Perez reprises role as God". TV World. United Press International. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  25. "ACE: And the nominees are. . ". United Press International. October 9, 1985. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  26. Terrace, Vincent (2014). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 Through 2010 (2nd ed.). United States: McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers. ISBN 9780786486410. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  27. Gardella, Kay (Sep 12, 1973). "James Coco & Jose Perez Add Sparks to CBS Series". Daily News (New York, New York). Retrieved Jun 8, 2021.
  28. Holsopple, Barbara (Mar 29, 1974). "Jose Perez Pilots Racing Series; Public TV Speeds to Hill". The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania). Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  29. "JOSE PEREZ GRADUATES". THE SUN TELEGRAM - TV WEEK. Mar 24, 1974. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  30. Burke, Tom (May 15, 1976). "Jose Perez of On The Rocks". TV Guide. Triangle Publications Inc. 24, No.20 (1207): 18. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  31. Miller, Jeanne (Oct 21, 1977). "He had to be in prison film". The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California). Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  32. "Night-Flowers". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  33. Buck, Jerry (November 2, 1982). "Telecast due Saturday Ferrer picks Mitchum as ideal for 'Caroline'". Desert Sun. No. 77. Associated Press. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  34. Goodman, Walter (January 8, 1983). "TV: Ethnicity Crops Up in Two Crime Shows". The New York Times. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  35. Smith, Cecil (Nov 2, 1975). "On The Rocks". The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California). Retrieved Jun 3, 2021.
  36. Markoutsas, Elaine (Nov 25, 1977). "'Anguish' comes with the job for Jose Perez". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  37. Gardella, Kay (2 Sep 1975). "'Rocks' star Perez avoids stereotyped roles". Fort Worth Star Telegram. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  38. Baker, Rob (Sep 28, 1977). "A Place Among His People". Daily News. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  39. "TeleTalk (2nd half)". San Bernardino Sun. 14 December 1975. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  40. Winter, Ruth (Sep 5, 1984). "From a shoeshine stand to an acting career". The Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  41. "The Sting II". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  42. "D.C. Cab". Turner Classic Movies. Turner Classic Movies, Inc. A WarnerMedia Company. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  43. CONNER, J.A. (December 23, 1983). "New movie keeps the meter running". Santa Cruz Sentinel. California Digital Newspaper Collection. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  44. "Off and Running". Turner Classic Movies. Turner Classic Movies, Inc. A WarnerMedia Company. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  45. Turner Classic Movies. "The Mask of Zorro". Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  46. Turner Classic Movies. "The Way of the Gun". Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  47. "2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)". BFI. Archived from the original on April 11, 2018. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  48. "MIRACLE MAN, MIAMI VICE, Season 5, Episode 20". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved 18 July 2021.

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