Danny Trejo Wiki, Bio, Age, Net Worth, and Other Facts

Below is a compiled list of the most interesting facts about Danny Trejo. Check it out!

Danny Trejo was born Dan Trejo in Echo Park, Los Angeles, to Alice (Rivera) and Dan Trejo, a construction worker. A child drug addict and criminal, Trejo was in and out of jail for 11 years. While serving time in San Quentin, he won the lightweight and welterweight boxing titles. Imprisoned for armed robbery and drug offenses, he successfully completed a 12-step rehabilitation program that changed his life. While speaking at a Cocaine Anonymous meeting in 1985, Trejo met a young man who later called him for support. Trejo went to meet him at what turned out to be the set of Runaway Train (1985). Trejo was immediately offered a role as a convict extra, probably because of his tough tattooed appearance. Also on the set was a screenwriter who did time with Trejo in San Quentin. Remembering Trejo’s boxing skills, the screenwriter offered him $320 per day to train the actors for a boxing match. Director Andrey Konchalovskiy saw Trejo training Eric Roberts and immediately offered him a featured role as Roberts’ opponent in the film. Trejo has subsequently appeared in many other films, usually as a tough criminal or villain.

Interesting Facts about Danny Trejo

He has started three restaurants bearing his name. The first one was Trejo’s Tacos in 2016, followed by Trejo’s Cantina and Trejo’s Coffee & Donuts in 2017.
He was forty-one years old when he acted in his first feature film.
Was released from Soledad CTF (Correctional Training Facility) in August 1969.
Inducted into the Texas Film Hall of Fame on March 8, 2012, in Austin, Texas.
Has two sons: Danny Boy (b. 1981) from an earlier marriage, Gilbert Trejo (b. 1988) and one daughter Danielle Trejo (b. 1990).
His characters in the films of Robert Rodriguez are usually named after knives: Desperado (1995) (Navajas), the From Dusk Till Dawn trilogy (Razor Charlie), the Spy Kids movies (Machete), the Grindhouse (2007) trailer (Machete), Predators (2010) (Cuchillo), Machete (2010) (Machete again). Only in Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003) (Cucuy) is this not the case.
Was considered for the role of Det. Rey Curtis on Law & Order (1990).
The character of Octavio in the “King Of The Hill” cartoon was based on his likeness.
Volunteers at the Villalobos Pitbull Shelter.
He named his five favorite films as The Searchers (1956), Death Wish (1974), Animal Factory (2000), Dirty Harry (1971) and Once Upon a Time in the West (1968).
A scarred face, a long, thin moustache, and a muscular body with large tattoos render Trejo one of the most distinctive character actors of our time.
He didn’t start acting until he was thirty-three.

Personal Quotes by Danny Trejo

Everything good that’s ever happened to me came out of helping others.
Danny Trejo

The blessing that this film business has given me is that when I walk into a school I automatically have everyone’s attention. They want to hear what the guy from ‘Con Air’ and ‘Desperado’ has to say.
Danny Trejo

Hollywood wants guys who can act tough – Hollywood don’t want tough guys.
Danny Trejo

I’d always rather be working – and you know what? My kids would rather me be working. If I stay at home, I’ll only buy another car or spend their money.
Danny Trejo