Michael Pena Biography
Michael Pena is an American actor and musician who was born and brought up in Chicago, Illinois, United States of America. He is widely known for his roles in the films Crash as Daniel, Million Dollar Baby as Omar, World Trade Center as Will Jimeno, Ant-Man as Luis, and in The Martian as Major Rick Martinez. He has also starred in the television shows The Shield as Detective Armando Renta, Eastbound & Down as Sebastián Cisneros, and in Narcos: Mexico as Kiki Camarena.
10 Quick Facts About Michael Pena
Michael Pena Age
Pena is 47 years old as of 2023, he was born on 13 January 1976, in Chicago, Illinois, United States. He celebrates his birthday on 13 January every year and his birth sign is Capricorn.
Michael Pena Height
Pena stands at a height of 5 feet 7 inches ( 1.70 m).
Michael Pena Weight
Pena Weighs 70 kg (154 lbs).
Early Life and Education
Pena was born on January 13, 1976, in Chicago, Illinois, to Mexican immigrant parents. He grew up in the city’s working-class neighborhood of Pilsen, where he was raised by his father, a factory worker, and his mother, a social worker.
Pena attended Marist High School, a Catholic school in Chicago, where he excelled in academics and athletics. After high school, he attended the United States Marine Corps. However, he was discharged after a few months due to a medical condition.
Pena later attended Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, where he studied drama. He became interested in acting after taking an elective course in college and performing in a play. After graduating from college, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting.
Rise to Fame
Pena’s rise to fame began with his early work in independent films, including “Star Maps” (1997) and “My Fellow Americans” (1996). He gained critical acclaim for his role in the film “Crash” (2004), which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. His performance in the movie led to more prominent roles in Hollywood films.
Pena’s breakthrough role came in the film “World Trade Center” (2006), in which he played a police officer who helps rescue two trapped Port Authority officers after the 9/11 attacks. The movie was a commercial success, and Pena’s performance was highly praised by critics.
Pena then landed a lead role in the TV series “The Shield” (2002-2008), which was critically acclaimed and won several awards. He continued to take on diverse roles in both film and television, including “Million Dollar Baby” (2004), “Observe and Report” (2009), “30 Minutes or Less” (2011), and “Gangster Squad” (2013).
Pena’s career reached new heights with his role in the Marvel film “Ant-Man” (2015), which was a box office success. He reprised his role in the sequel, “Ant-Man and the Wasp” (2018). Pena also appeared in the Ridley Scott film “The Martian” (2015), which was a critical and commercial success.
Michael Pena Family, Parents
Pena was born to his parents Eleuterio Peña and Nicolasa Peña in Illinois. His mother Nicolasa, worked as a social worker, and his father Eleuterio, as a factory worker. Pena’s parents were originally farmers and emigrated from Mexico.
Michael Pena Wife
Pena is currently married to his wife Brie Shaffer. The couple tied the knot in 2006. They have one child, a son named Roman Pena, who was born in September 2008.
Michael Pena Net Worth
Pena has an estimated net worth of $12 million dollars as of 2023. This includes his assets, money and income. His primary source of income is his career as an actor and musician. Through his various sources of income, Michael has been able to accumulate a good fortune but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.
Michael Pena Measurements and Facts
Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about Michael.
Michael Pena Wiki
- Full Names: Michael Anthony Peña
- Popular As: Michael
- Gender: Male
- Occupation / Profession: Actor and Musician
- Nationality: American
- Race/Ethnicity: Hispanic (Mexican descent)
- Religion: Scientologist
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
Michael Pena Birthday
- Age / How Old?: 47 years (2023)
- Zodiac sign: Capricorn
- Date of Birth: 13 January 1976
- Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Birthday: 13 January
Michael Pena Body Measurements
- Body Measurements: Not Available
- Height / How Tall?: 5 feet 7 inches ( 1.70 m)
- Weight: 70 kg (154 lbs)
- Eye color: Dark Brown
- Hair color: Black
- Shoe size: Not Available
Michael Pena Net Worth and Salary
- Net worth: $12 Million
- Salary: Under Review
- Source of Income: Actor and Musician
Michael Pena House and Cars
- Place of living: Los Angeles, California, USA
- Cars: Car Brand to be Updated
Michael Acting Career
His acting career started in the year 1994, where he has been in independent productions. His breakthrough performances came in two Best Picture Oscar-winning Paul Haggis-penned films, Million Dollar Baby (2004) and Crash (2004)., he appeared on the Golden Globe-winning series, The Shield.
In 2006, he starred in Oliver Stone’s film based on the September 11, 2001 attacks, World Trade Center. In 2006, Pena starred in the HBO film Walkout as Sal Castro, a Mexican-American high school teacher who inspires a group of East L.A. high school students to fight for Chicano rights.
He starred alongside Mark Wahlberg in Shooter (2007) as novice FBI agent Nick Memphis. In 2009, he played a mall security guard alongside Seth Rogen in Jody Hill’s Observe and Report. He appeared alongside Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, and Jon Bernthal in the World War II-set action film Fury (2014).
He portrayed Luis in Ant-Man (2015), alongside star, Paul Rudd. In December 2017, it was reported that Pena had joined the cast of Narcos for its upcoming fourth season. It was later revealed that the fourth season would be a new series, Narcos: Mexico, with Pena starring as DEA agent Kiki Camarena.
Pena voiced the character Ricky in the FX animated comedy Chozen. In Turbo, he voiced Tito, and in My Little Pony: The Movie, he voiced Grubber. He also provided vocals for the character Marguerite (in the episode ‘Hot Water’) for the popular animated series American Dad.
Notable Travel, Events, and Experiences
As an actor, Michael Peña has traveled extensively for various film and television projects. Some notable events and experiences he has been a part of include:
- In 2004, Peña attended the Academy Awards ceremony as part of the cast of the film “Crash,” which was nominated for several awards and won the Oscar for Best Picture.
- Peña has also attended the Cannes Film Festival, one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world, for various films he has been a part of, including “The Martian” (2015) and “War on Everyone” (2016).
- Peña has visited the White House on several occasions, including in 2012 when he attended the state dinner hosted by President Obama for Mexican President Felipe Calderón.
- In 2016, Peña traveled to Cuba with director James Gray to scout locations for their upcoming film “The Lost City of Z.”
- Peña is a car enthusiast and has attended various car shows and events, including the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
- Peña has also participated in charity events, such as the Stand Up to Cancer telethon in 2016, where he shared his personal story of his mother’s battle with cancer.
Future Aspirations and Goals
Peña has expressed a desire to continue challenging himself as an actor and taking on diverse roles that showcase his range and versatility.
Peña has also expressed an interest in directing in the future. In a 2018 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he stated that he was developing a project that he hoped to direct in the future.
In addition to his work in the entertainment industry, Peña has been involved in various charitable causes and organizations, particularly those related to cancer research and treatment. He has expressed a desire to continue supporting these causes in the future.
Social Impact: Philanthropic, Charitable and Community Involvement
Michael Peña has been involved in various philanthropic and charitable causes throughout his career. Some of his notable community involvement includes:
- Peña has been a supporter of cancer research and treatment. He has participated in Stand Up to Cancer telethons and has spoken publicly about his mother’s battle with cancer.
- Peña has also been involved with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), a non-profit organization that advocates for the civil rights of Latinos in the United States.
- Peña has supported the organization Best Buddies, which aims to create opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Peña has also been involved in education initiatives. In 2015, he partnered with the Los Angeles Unified School District to promote a literacy program.
- In 2020, Peña participated in a virtual event for the Democratic National Convention, where he spoke about the importance of voting and urged viewers to get involved in their communities.
Michael Pena Awards Accomplishments and Achievements
Michael Peña has received critical acclaim for his performances in film and television throughout his career. Some of his notable achievements and awards include:
- In 2006, he won the ALMA Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for his role in “Crash.”
- In 2013, he was nominated for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for his role in “American Hustle.”
- In 2015, he was nominated for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for his role in “Fury.”
- In 2018, he was nominated for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for his role in “The Shape of Water.”
- In 2020, he was nominated for the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television for his role in “Narcos: Mexico.”
- In 2021, he was nominated for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series for his role in “Mr. Iglesias.”
Legacy
Michael Peña is an American actor known for his versatile roles in both television and film. He has been active in the entertainment industry since the late 1990s and has built a legacy as a talented character actor.
Peña first gained recognition for his supporting role in the critically acclaimed movie “Crash” (2004), for which he received a Screen Actors Guild Award. He then went on to appear in a variety of successful films, including “World Trade Center” (2006), “Million Dollar Baby” (2004), “Shooter” (2007), and “American Hustle” (2013).
Peña’s range as an actor has allowed him to take on a wide variety of roles, from serious dramatic performances to comedic roles. He has also become known for his ability to portray real-life figures, such as the police officer who discovered James Franco’s character’s arm in the film “127 Hours” (2010) and Cesar Chavez in “Cesar Chavez” (2014).
In addition to his film work, Peña has also had a successful career in television, appearing in popular shows such as “The Shield,” “Eastbound & Down,” and “Narcos: Mexico.”
Hobbies and Interests
While Michael Peña is best known for his work as an actor, he also has a number of hobbies and interests outside of the entertainment industry.
One of Peña’s passions is boxing. He has been a fan of the sport since he was a child, and he trained extensively for his role as a police officer in the movie “End of Watch” (2012). In fact, Peña has said that if he had not become an actor, he would have pursued a career in boxing.
Peña is also an avid golfer and enjoys playing the sport in his free time. He has said that he finds golf to be a relaxing and meditative activity that helps him unwind after a long day on set.
In addition to his physical hobbies, Peña is also a fan of reading and is known to enjoy books on a wide range of topics. He has cited the works of authors such as Cormac McCarthy and Gabriel Garcia Marquez as particular favorites.
Personal Beliefs
Peña has been a vocal advocate for the Latino community and has spoken out about the need for greater representation and diversity in Hollywood. He has also been a supporter of various charitable causes, including organizations that provide assistance to veterans and those affected by natural disasters.
In terms of politics, Peña has been relatively private about his personal beliefs, but he has spoken out against discrimination and bigotry in all forms. He has also been a critic of the current U.S. administration’s policies on immigration and has been vocal in his support of immigrant rights.
Quotes
“The only thing you can do as an actor is do your part, try to make it as real as possible, and try to tell the story as best you can.”
“I’m really proud to be a part of a movie that showcases Latinos in a different way, and not just as criminals or drug dealers.”
“I’m not a big fan of violence, especially senseless violence, but when it comes to movies, if it serves the story, I don’t mind it.”
“I think humor is the key to staying sane and not taking yourself too seriously.”
“I think that if you’re really passionate about something and you work hard, then you can achieve anything.”
“I think every actor wants to be a character actor.”
“Boxing is really about pushing yourself to the edge of fatigue, and then going beyond that.”
“I think it’s important for people to see different types of stories and not just the same thing over and over again.”
“I think that as long as there are people that are interested in stories, there will always be a place for actors.”
“I think that it’s important for people to understand that no matter where you come from, you can achieve great things.”
Final Thoughts
Michael Peña has established himself as a versatile and talented actor, with a range of performances that have showcased his ability to embody a wide variety of characters. He has also shown a passion for physical activity, reading, and advocating for social justice causes.
Peña’s dedication to his craft has earned him critical acclaim and a loyal fan base, and his continued success in Hollywood is a testament to his talent and hard work. Additionally, his willingness to speak out about important issues and his support for charitable causes demonstrate a commitment to making a positive impact both on and off screen.
Frequently Asked Questions About Michael Pena
Who is Michael Pena?Michael is a renowned actor and musician who gained extensive recognition for his roles in the films Ant-Man (2015) and Walkout (2006).
How old is Michael Pena?Michael is an American national born on 13th January 1976, in Chicago, Illinois.
How tall is Michael Pena?Michael stands at a height of 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 meters).
Is Michael Pena married?Yes, Michael is married to Brie Shaffer. They got married in 2006 and together they have one child. The couple resides in Los Angeles together with their child.
How much is Michael Pena worth?Michael has an approximate net worth of $12 million. This amount has been accrued from his leading roles in the entertainment industry.
How much does Michael Pena make?Details about Michael’s salary are not yet disclosed. However, information about how much he makes will be updated as soon as it is available.
Where does Michael Pena live?Michael is a resident of Los Angeles, California, USA, we shall upload pictures of his house as soon as we have them.
Is Michael Pena dead or alive?Michael is alive and in good health. There have been no reports of him being sick or having any health-related issues.
Where is Michael Pena Now?Michael is still an active participant in the creative entertainment industry, he is a cast member of Secret Headquarters.
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