Jimmy Smits

Jimmy Smits is an American actor renowned for his compelling performances across television, film, and stage. He gained widespread recognition for his roles as attorney Victor Sifuentes on the NBC legal drama L.A. Law and as Detective Bobby Simone on the ABC police drama NYPD Blue, winning a Primetime Emmy Award for the latter. Smits has also been a pivotal figure in major franchises, portraying Senator Bail Organa in the Star Wars prequel films and the television series The Book of Boba Fett, and as Matt Santos on the NBC political drama The West Wing. His career is distinguished by a commitment to portraying complex, dignified characters and his advocacy for increased Latino representation in Hollywood.

Early life and education

Jimmy L. Smits was born in Brooklyn, to a Puerto Rican mother and a Surinamese father. He was raised in a working-class neighborhood and attended Thomas Jefferson High School. Initially pursuing a degree in education, he earned a Bachelor of Arts from Brooklyn College, where he became involved in theater. He subsequently refined his craft by obtaining a Master of Fine Arts from the prestigious Cornell University Department of Theatre Arts, preparing him for a professional career in acting.

Career

Smits' breakthrough came in 1986 when he was cast on the acclaimed series L.A. Law, a role that earned him multiple Emmy Award nominations and established him as a prominent television actor. He transitioned seamlessly to another iconic role on NYPD Blue, succeeding actor David Caruso and earning critical acclaim, including an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. His television work expanded to include a presidential campaign arc on The West Wing, for which he received further award recognition. In film, Smits joined the ''Star Wars'' universe in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, reprising his role as Bail Organa in subsequent installments and the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi. He has also starred in notable films such as The Jane Austen Book Club and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and voiced characters in animated series like The Simpsons. On stage, he has performed in Public Theater productions in New York City, including a celebrated turn in The Motherfucker with the Hat.

Filmography

A selected list of Jimmy Smits' film and television credits includes the television series L.A. Law (1986–1991), NYPD Blue (1994–1998), and The West Wing (2004–2006). His major film roles encompass Old Gringo (1989), The Believers (1987), Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002), Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005), and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016). More recent television work includes starring roles in the Netflix series The Get Down and recurring parts in the CBS drama How to Get Away with Murder and the FX series Sons of Anarchy.

Awards and nominations

Throughout his career, Jimmy Smits has received numerous accolades. He won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for L.A. Law in 1990 and a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for NYPD Blue in 1998. He has also been nominated for multiple Golden Globe Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and ALMA Awards. In 2022, he was honored with a Hispanic Heritage Award for his contributions to the arts and his advocacy.

Personal life

Smits was married to actress Wanda De Jesus from 1981 until their divorce in 1987. He later married Barbara Smits in 1986, and they remained together until her death in 2024; they had two children. A dedicated activist, Smits is a co-founder of the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts, an organization aimed at advancing the presence of Latinos in the media, telecommunications, and entertainment industries. He has been a vocal supporter of various Democratic political candidates and causes.

Category:American male television actors Category:American male film actors Category:Primetime Emmy Award winners Category:1955 births Category:Living people