Durable Mexican-American actor Pepe Serna has appeared in more than 100 feature films and 300 television shows, but is most recognized for his gritty support performances in a variety of motion pictures, including Scarface (1983) as Al Pacinos ill-fated cocaine partner, as well as the western Silverado (1985) with Kevin Costner, the crime yarn The Rookie (1990) starring Clint Eastwood and Charlie Sheen, and the drama American Me (1992) starring Edward James Olmos. In a career surpassing five decades, Pepes characters have played on both sides of the law -- from drug peddlers to sheriffs.He was born (and raised) in Corpus Christi, Texas on July 23, 1944, the son of a naval base interpreter for Latin American pilots and a hairdresser. His desires to become an actor happened early in life, moving to Hollywood in 1969 to finally pursue his dreams. He didnt have to wait long to find steady Latino work on film and TV.Making an inauspicious debut in the exploitation film The Student Nurses (1970), Pepe found more A quality work after being discovered by producer Hal B. Wallis for the coming-of-age film Tim Belcher starring Richard Thomas and Catherine Burns and the western Shoot Out (1971) starring Gregory Peck. Specializing in urban, streetwise roles, he went on to mix a number of popular films (The New Centurions (1972), The Day of the Locust (1975), Car Wash (1976), A Force of One (1979), Walk Proud (1979), Honeysuckle Rose (1980), Inside Moves (1980), Deal of the Century (1983), Red Dawn (1984), Caddyshack II (1988)) with a slew of popular TV crime dramas such as Mannix, Police Story, Adam-12, The Rookies, The Rockford Files, Baretta, Kojak, CHiPs, Barney Miller, Scarecrow & Mrs. King, T.J. Hooker, Simon & Simon, Hill Street Blues, Miami Vice, Cagney & Lacey and Diagnosis Murder.Long married to wife Diane, Pepe is a noted keynote teacher and motivational speaker who tours colleges and universities. His strong sideline as a painter has been met with critical success, having been commissioned quite frequently. His vibrant paintings and one-man stage shows reflect a serious return to his Mexican roots and was the subject of the 2015 short documentary Life Is Art.
Orlando
Film 1979
Sgt. Pepe Gutierrez
Film 1989
Mr. Gonzalez
Film 2006
Dock Official
Film 1992
Cesar
Film 1979
Virgilio Segura
Film 1990
Rancher
Film 2022
Film 2023
Agent Menendez
Film 1993
Ruiz
Film 1975
Pepe
Film 1971
Dr. Sanchez
Film 2001
Sgt. Castro
Film 1979
Paul Del Moral
Film 2014
Natcho
Film 1974
Fortunato
Film 2015
Manuel Flores
Film 1982
Y Leader
Film 1973
Migrant Worker (uncredited)
Film 1977
Vito
Film 1981
Rudy Goebel
Film 2016
Ramon
Film 1973
Harlan Ramirez
Film 1995
Dr. George Holst
Film 2016
Film 1991
Juan
Film 1979
Commandante Alvarez
Film 2003
Herrada
Film 1980
Rooster
Film 1980
Hector
Film 1988
Lil' Big Me
Film 2016
Film 2019
Jesús
Film 2019
Film 1988
Paul
Film 2016
Jose Martinez
Film 2019
Luis
Film 1970
Alex Sweetwood
Film 1987
Harry Cutter
Film 1983
Det. Almos
Film 1985
Rodrigo
Film 2019
Charlie Parelli
Film 1974
Film 2024
Film
Tv 1977
Tv 1977
Tv 1972
Tv 1972
Roberto
Tv 1995
Tv 1981
Tv 1981
Tv 1975
Tv 1981
Tv 1983
Tv 1967
Ruben Garcia
Tv 2005
Tv 1982
Tv 2001
Tv 1971
Tv 2003
Tv 1994
Salvador Lopez
Tv 1993
Tv 1973
Tv 1978
Tv 1990
Tv 1977
Tv 1975
Shifflet (voice)
Tv 2001
Wally Nash
Tv 2017