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Hispanic Actors Get Lead Roles

Today, Hispanic actors get some of the most prestigious roles in films. It used to be that if they wanted to be in a movie, they had to be a gang-banger. Thanks to Edward James Olmos, rising stars from the Hispanic community now have the opportunity to play in any lead role they wish.

Olmos` first TV roles were as gang members and hooligans on shows such as `Cannon`. His breakthrough role in `Zoot Suit` catapulted him into the national spotlight and opened the door to new starring roles. He not only opened the door for himself, but for many actors that would follow in his footsteps.

`It took Eddie twenty years to become an overnight success,` says Steven Johnson, Olmos` close personal friend and author of the book that details their Hollywood experiences together. `Eddie took any small role that would come his way and those were usually to be a thug of some sort. Truth be told, if it weren`t for Eddie really breaking through like he did, I don`t know if actors like Benjamin Bratt or Salma Hayek would be getting the choice roles they are today.`

Edward James Olmos` career began in Hollywood as singer for the rock band `The Pacific Ocean`. When the band failed to make it big, he moved his passion to acting, where he took on any role he could. To fill in gaps, he and his friend Johnson would move furniture. Olmos broke through with the stage play `Zoot Suit`, for which he was nominated for a Tony Award. Major roles followed in films `Blade Runner`, `Stand and Deliver` and in television, his most famous role was as Lieutenant Martin Castillo on `Miami Vice`. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in `Stand and Deliver`. Olmos now has the starring role on TV`s critically acclaimed `Battlestar Galactica` as Captain Adama.