Edward James Olmos

Actor


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
About this interview

In his three-hour interview, Edward James Olmos talks about his early interests in baseball and rock and roll music, which led to his life-long love of performing for audiences. He recalls his first major acting role in the play Zoot Suit, which was a smash hit in Los Angeles before going to Broadway. He chronicles his early acting roles on television, including guest spots on Kojak and Hawaii Five-O, and talks of his first feature film Aloha Bobby and Rose. Olmos recalls his reluctance to be cast as "Martin Castillo" on Miami Vice, a role that led to critical accolades and an Emmy win in 1986. He recounts his tumultuous time on that show and outlines his time on the Latino-themed series American Family. He speaks in-depth about the lack of diversity on American television and describes what he sees for the then-future of Latinos on television. Finally, he speaks of his role as "Admiral William Adama" on the remake of Battlestar Galactica and explains the show's ongoing relevance to audiences. Nancy Harrington conducted the interview on May 14, 2013 in Encino, CA. 

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"A Latina friend told me about a call she got from her nephew, who's 11 years old. He called up just so joyful. He said 'We're in the future, we're in the future! I saw it! I saw 'Battlestar Galactica.' For that child at that moment, seeing their culture, themselves in a position of being in the future was so needed. Like a glass of water in the middle of the desert. You are so grateful that you can't even stand it."

People Talking About ...
Highlights
Edward James Olmos on clashing with Don Johnson during the filming of Miami Vice
07:20
Edward James Olmos on creating the character of "Admiral William Adama" on Battlestar Galactica
03:11
Edward James Olmos on the legacy of Battlestar Galactica
01:23
Edward James Olmos on playing "Judge Mendoza" on The West Wing and being cast in American Family
03:04
Edward James Olmos on the ongoing lack of diversity on television and in movies
03:36
Edward James Olmos on his success and his future
01:38
Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On his early life and influences; on his early interest in baseball and music
On getting into acting; on starring in the play "Zoot Suit"; on appearing on Kojak
On appearing on Hawaii Five-O; on how the play "Zoot Suit" impacted his career
On acting on American Playhouse; on being cast as "Martin Castillo" on Miami Vice

Chapter 2

On being cast as "Martin Castillo" on Miami Vice; on filming his first scenes as "Martin Castillo" on Miami Vice
On clashing with Don Johnson during the filming of Miami Vice; on the backstory and development of his Miami Vice character "Martin Castillo"
On winning an Emmy for Miami Vice and his favorite episodes; on the legacy of Miami Vice
On acting in the made-for-television movie The Burning Season; on playing "Judge Mendoza" on The West Wing and being cast on American Family

Chapter 3

On playing "Jess Gonzalez" on American Family; on the lack of diversity in television and movies
On being cast as "Admiral William Adama" on Battlestar Galactica; on the themes of Battlestar Galactica
On creating the character of "Admiral William Adama" on Battlestar Galactica; on the cast and legacy of Battlestar Galactica
On the future of Latinos on television; on advice to aspiring actors; on his production company, his success, and his future
Shows

American Playhouse

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Edward James Olmos on acting on American Playhouse
02:39

Battlestar Galactica (2004-09)

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Edward James Olmos on being cast as "Admiral William Adama" on Battlestar Galactica
08:56
Edward James Olmos on the themes of Battlestar Galactica
05:41
Edward James Olmos on the Battlestar Galactica  UN Panel
01:57
Edward James Olmos on creating the character of "Admiral William Adama" on Battlestar Galactica
03:11
Edward James Olmos on the cast of Battlestar Galactica
03:01
Edward James Olmos on the legacy of Battlestar Galactica
01:23

Dexter

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Edward James Olmos on acting on Dexter
03:23

Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)

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Edward James Olmos on winning an Emmy award and his favorite Miami Vice episodes
06:48

Hawaii Five-O

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Edward James Olmos on appearing on Hawaii Five-O
01:43

Kojak

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Edward James Olmos on appearing on Kojak
04:16

Miami Vice

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Edward James Olmos on being cast as "Martin Castillo" on Miami Vice
11:39
Edward James Olmos on being cast as "Martin Castillo" on Miami Vice
05:52
Edward James Olmos on filming his first scenes as "Martin Castillo" on Miami Vice
10:58
Edward James Olmos on clashing with Don Johnson during the filming of Miami Vice
07:20
Edward James Olmos on the backstory of his Miami Vice character "Martin Castillo"
04:45
Edward James Olmos on the development of his Miami Vice character "Martin Castillo"
01:03
Edward James Olmos on the atmosphere on the set of Miami Vice
01:28
Edward James Olmos on winning an Emmy award and his favorite Miami Vice episodes
06:48
Edward James Olmos on the legacy of Miami Vice
04:03

West Wing, The

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Edward James Olmos on playing "Judge Mendoza" on The West Wing and being cast in American Family
03:04
Topics

Advice

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Edward James Olmos on advice to aspiring actors
01:41

Emmy Awards

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Edward James Olmos on winning an Emmy award and his favorite Miami Vice  episodes
06:48

First Big Break

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Edward James Olmos on being cast as "Martin Castillo" on Miami Vice
11:39

Historic Events and Social Change

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Edward James Olmos on the future of Latinos on television
02:45
Edward James Olmos on the ongoing lack of diversity on television and in movies
03:36

Pivotal Career Moments

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Edward James Olmos on being cast as "Martin Castillo" on Miami Vice
11:39

Representation on Television

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Edward James Olmos on the future of Latinos on television
02:45
Edward James Olmos on the ongoing lack of diversity on television and in movies
03:36

Television Industry

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Edward James Olmos on advice to aspiring actors
01:41

Underrepresented Voices

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Edward James Olmos on the future of Latinos on television
02:45
Edward James Olmos on the ongoing lack of diversity on television and in movies
03:36
Professions

Actor

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Edward James Olmos on advice to aspiring actors
01:41

Performers

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Edward James Olmos on advice to aspiring actors
01:41
Genres

Cop/Detective/Mystery Series

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Edward James Olmos on being cast as "Martin Castillo" on Miami Vice
11:39
Edward James Olmos on playing "Martin Castillo" on Miami Vice
42:17

Sci-Fi/Supernatural Series

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Edward James Olmos on playing "Admiral William Adama" on Battlestar Galactica
24:09
People

Don Johnson

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Edward James Olmos on clashing with Don Johnson during the filming of Miami Vice
07:20

Jack Lord

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Edward James Olmos on appearing on Hawaii Five-O
01:43

Michael Mann

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Edward James Olmos on being cast as "Martin Castillo" on Miami Vice
05:52

Telly Savalas

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Edward James Olmos on appearing on Kojak
04:16

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