Efren Ramirez

Efren Ramírez
Ramirez at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con
Born
Efrain Antonio Ramírez

(1973-10-02) October 2, 1973 (age 51)[1]
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1992–present
Spouse
(m. 1998; ann. 1999)

Efrain Antonio Ramírez[2] (born October 2, 1973)[1] is an American actor, best known for playing Pedro Sánchez in the 2004 indie film Napoleon Dynamite. He later reprised his role in the 2012 animated series of the same name.

Early life

Ramírez was born in Los Angeles, California, to Salvadoran parents. He has four brothers, one of whom is his identical twin Carlos.[3]

Career

Ramirez has starred in a number of films, including Napoleon Dynamite as Pedro Sánchez, Employee of the Month, Crank and Crank: High Voltage, Searching for Mickey Fish, All You've Got, and Walkout and made cameos in Nacho Libre and Mr. & Mrs. Smith. In 2009, Efren starred in the comedy American Summer as well as appearing as a contestant on MTV's Celebrity Rap Superstar. On July 14, 2008 Sierra Mist released a series of commercials aimed at multicultural consumers in which Efren stars.

Soon after the success of Napoleon Dynamite, the music group G. Love and Special Sauce asked Efren to appear in their music video "Booty Call". He also played Ashlee Simpson's boyfriend in the music video for her 2005 song "Boyfriend". Ramírez made a cameo appearance in a 2005 episode of ABC's George López wearing a T-shirt similar to the shirt Jon Heder wears in Napoleon Dynamite that reads, "Vote For Pedro". In 2007 Ramírez appeared as the judge for an acting challenge on Cycle 8 of America's Next Top Model.

Ramírez made several cameos throughout his career. In King Cobra, he portrayed a teenager playing a game of hide-and-seek with his girlfriend (portrayed by Ramirez's wife Iyari Limon). They later end up as prey for the title antagonist. In the music video for Sleazy, Pedro appears as a cameo and lip syncs André 3000's verse.[4]

He co-founded Powerhouse Pictures Entertainment, LLC with Chris Barrett, and they co-authored the book Direct Your Own Life: How To Be A Star in Any Field You Choose being published on June 10, 2008 through Kaplan Publishing.

Personal life

In 1998, Ramírez married actress Iyari Limon. The marriage was later annulled.[5]

Ramírez is also a DJ,[6] who has performed worldwide and toured in over 50 cities across 5 continents. His sets include a variety of music, from hip hop, funk, disco, to hard house. His production company "Nocturnal Rampage" throws a recurring rave event every summer in Austin, Texas.[5]

Filmography

Film

Film work by Efren Ramirez Efren Ramirez's film credits
Year Title Role(s) Notes
1994 Tammy and the T-Rex Boy Film debut role
1995 Jury Duty Pete's employee
1996 Kazaam Carlos
1998 Melting Pot Álvarez
1999 King Cobra Boy Direct-to-video
2000 Rave Bookie
2001 Delivering Milo Street Hustler Uncredited
2004 Napoleon Dynamite Pedro Sánchez
2004 Just Hustle Street Connection
2006 Tomorrow's Yesterday Ron Short film
2006 Gettin' Some Jail Time Pico Short film
2006 Crank Kaylo
2006 Employee of the Month Jorge Mecico
2006 Walkout Bobby Verdugo
2007 Moola Hector Independent film
2007 Crossing the Heart Jesus
2009 Ratko: The Dictator's Son Ratko Volvic Direct-to-video
2009 The Pool Boys Hector
2009 Gamer DJ Twist
2009 Crank: High Voltage Venus/Kaylo
2010 When in Rome Juan Uncredited
2011 The Pool Boys Hector
2012 Casa de mi padre Esteban
2014 School Dance El Matador
2015 Endgame Mr. Alvarado
2016 Varsity Punks Coach Menlo
2016 Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life Gus
2017 Trafficked Enrique
2017 Mad Families Rolando Crackle original movie
2022 Lightyear Airman Díaz (voice)
2022 Satanic Hispanics The Traveler
2023 Due Justice Detective Santigo

Television

Television work by Efren Ramirez Efren Ramirez's television credits
Year Title Role(s) Notes
1996 Relativity Javier Episode: "Fathers"
1997 Dangerous Minds Nutty Episode: "The Feminine Mystique"
1997 Nothing Sacred Guillermo Episode: "A Bloody Miracle"
1999 Ryan Caulfield: Year One Juan Episode: "Nocturnal Radius"
1999 Chicken Soup for the Soul Paco Episode: "Paco Come Home"
2000 Missing Pieces Renaldo Television film
2000 – 2001 Boston Public Amaad Wilkens 2 episodes
2000 – 2001 Even Stevens Scrub Patrol 2 episodes
2003 Judging Amy Ricky Diaz Episode: "Picture of Perfect"
2003 ER Jimmy Episode: "Death and Taxes"
2004 The District Fernando Guttierez Episode: "Ten Thirty-Three"
2005 George Lopez The new class treasurer (parody of Pedro Sánchez) Episode: "George's Extreme Makeover-Holmes Edition"
2005 Robot Chicken Pedro Sanchez / Domino's Pizzaman (voice) Episode: "The Black Cherry"
2006 Walkout Bobby Verdugo Television film
2006 All You've Got Carlos Television film
2006 Mad TV Various roles 2 episodes
2007 El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera El Cucharón (voice) 2 episodes
2007 American Dad! Paco (voice) Episode: "American Dream Factory"
2007 Celebrity Rap Superstar Himself Television special
2007 Scrubs "Caramel Bear" Ricky Episode: "My Growing Pains"
2010 Eastbound & Down Catuey 7 episodes
2012 Napoleon Dynamite Pedro Sánchez (voice) 6 episodes
2015 Constantine Julio Episode: "The Saint of Last Resorts: Part 2"
2016 Bordertown Ruiz González (voice) Episode: "Viva Coyote"
2016 Deadbeat Morgue Ghost Episode: "El Caboose"
2019 Perpetual Grace, LTD Felipe Guillermo Usted 9 episodes
2021 The Casagrandes Picosito (voice) Episode: "Bend It Like Abuelo"
2022 Made for Love Oz Wimmer Episode: "Another Byron, Another Hazel"
2022 FBI: Most Wanted Oscar Zamora Episode: "Succession"

References

  1. ^ a b "Celebrity birthdays for the week of Sept. 27-Oct. 3". The Associated Press. September 21, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  2. ^ "Efren Ramirez - Biography". Archived from the original on April 19, 2009. Retrieved September 11, 2009.
  3. ^ "Efren Ramirez Bio - BuddyTV".
  4. ^ Sleazy Remix 2.0 Get Sleazier. January 27, 2012. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021 – via YouTube.
  5. ^ a b "Efren Ramirez Biography - Yahoo! Movies". Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  6. ^ "Efren Ramirez - DJ Home". Archived from the original on January 8, 2011. Retrieved January 31, 2011.