Coco was pitched by filmmaker Lee Unkrich in 2010 after the release of Toy Story 3. Initially, the film was supposed to be about an American child learning about his Mexican heritage while dealing with his mother’s death. But since Disney has an infamous reputation for killing of protagonist parents, the team eventually decided that this was the wrong approach. While they reformed the film to focus on a Mexican child instead. Yet, according the Unkrich, the original version “reflected the fact that none of us at the time were from Mexico.” Unkrich was also particularly anxious because the film depicted a real culture and he felt enormous responsibility to get it right. The Pixar team took several trips to Mexico to help define the characters and story of Coco. Unkrich recalled, “I’d seen it portrayed in folk art. There was something about the juxtaposition of skeletons with bright, festive colors that captured my imagination. It has led me down a winding path of discovery. And the more I learn about [el] Día de los Muertos, the more it affects me deeply.” Since skeletal creatures lacked a muscular system and had to be animated differently than their human counterparts, the team found it difficult working with them. In 2013, Disney tried to trademark the phrase “Dia de los Muertos” for merchandising. But Mexican Americans weren’t having it. One Mexican American cartoonist named Lalo Alacaraz drew a film poster called Muerto Mouse, depicting a Godzilla-like Mickey Mouse with the byline, “It’s coming to trademark your cultura.” Over 21,000 people signed a Change.org petition stating that the trademark was “culture appropriation and exploitation at its worst.” Disney canceled its attempt a week later and hired Alacaraz as a consultant on the film with playwright Octavio Solis and former Mexican Heritage Corp. CEO Marcela Davison Aviles.

              Earlier versions of Coco had different universe rules on how Miguel would return from the land of the dead. One had him physically run across the bridge. Another had his family cursed with singing when trying to speak. According to production designer Harley Jessup, Santa Cecilia is based on real Mexican villages as the production team, “stayed grounded in reality in the Land of the Living.” According to Unkrich, Miguel’s guitar playing is authentic as they “videotaped musicians playing each song or melody and strapped GoPros on their guitars” to use as a reference. For the Land of the Dead, Unkrich didn’t want “to have just a free-for-all, wacky world,” desiring instead to add logic and be, “ever-expanding because new residents would arrive regularly.’ Jessup said that the animation team wanted the Land of the Dead “to be a violent expression of color” when Miguel arrived. Jessup also said that “Lee [Unkrich] described a vertical world of towers, contrasting with the flatness of Santa Cecilia. The lights and reflections are dazzling and there’s a crazy transportation system that connects it all. The costume colors are much more vibrant than in the Land of the Living, where [the animation team] tried to stay grounded in reality. [They] really went all out in the Land of the Dead to make it a reflection of the holiday.” According to art director David Arraiga, the animators “had to figure out how to give [the skeletons] personality without skin, muscles, noses or even lips” and that they “played with shapes and did a lot of paintings. [They] sculpted and studied skulls from every angle to figure out where [they] could add appeal and charm.” Global technology supervisor J.D. Northup described that “Each [of the skeletons’ pieces] had to be independent so the complexity of the rig and the stress that it puts on the pipeline were something like we’ve never seen before.” Upon its 2017 release, Coco received rave reviews and $814 million at the box office along with 2 Academy Awards. In this post, we’ll meet the voices behind Mama Imelda, Mama Coco, Papa Julio, Chicharron, Tio Oscar and Tio Felipe, Papa, Tio Berto, Clerk and 2 characters from Incredibles 2.

471. Alanna Ubach

Dates: 1978-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Downey, California. Father was from Puerto Rico and born to a dad from Spain. Mother was from Mexico. Attended University of Southern California film school but dropped out after one semester to pursue acting full-time. Began her acting career in theater and television during the early 1990s. Breakout role was as lab assistant Josie in the show Beakman’s World.

Movies and Cartoons: Coco (2017) as well as a few series.

Characters: Mama Imelda

Also Known For: Actress best known as Serena McGuire in Legally Blonde and Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, and Blonde, Isabel Villalobos in Meet the Fockers, Maria in Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, Noreen in The Brady Bunch Movie, Jane in Clockwatchers, Naomi in Waiting… and Still Waiting…, Margarete in Being Us, Jeanine Pirro in Bombshell, Jo Hernandez-Frumplis in Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce, Suze Howard in Euphoria, Amy Hobbs in See Dad Run, Tessa Flores in Guilty Party, Carol Atkinson in The Flight Attendant, Susan Bennett in Ted (series), Liz Allan in The Spectacular Spider-Man, Manny Rivera in El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera, Lola Boa in Brandy & Mr. Whiskers, Strudel in Pound Puppies, Ansi Molina in Welcome to Wayne, Skate Lad and Rope Girl in Teamo Supremo, Josie in Beakman’s World, and Boo, Cletus, Fresca, and Miss Daisy in Rango. Film appearances include Airborne, Renaissance Man, Denise Calls Up, Layin’ Low, Freeway, Love Is All There Is, Johns, Trading Favors, The Sterling Chase, Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the 13^th, Blue Moon, The Perfect You, Wasabi Tuna, Herbie: Fully Loaded, Open Window, Jekyll, Bad Teacher, Losing Control, Envelope, A Haunted House, To the Bone, The Last Word, Gloria Bell, Wyrm, Fool’s Paradise, In Our Blood, and Venom: The Last Dance. TV appearances include Moment of Truth: Why My Daughter?, L.A. Law, ABC Afterschool Specials, Diagnosis: Murder, ER, Touched by an Angel, Seduced by Madness: The Diane Borchardt Story, Party of Five, Apartment 2F, Tracey Takes On…, Providence, Chicago Hope, The Huntress, Gary & Mike, The West Wing, Ozzy & Drix, Monk, Higglytown Heroes, The Closer, House, CSI: NY, Friday Night Lights, All Grown Up!, Eli Stone, Hung, Men of a Certain Age, Numb3rs, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Mentalist, Kaijudo, Californication, Ben 10: Omniverse, Stan Lee’s Mighty 7, Things You Shouldn’t Say Past Midnight, NCIS, Sheriff Callie’s Wild West, American Horror Story, TripTank, Hand of God, Snowfall, Dietland, Veronica Mars, Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts, Filthy Rich, Crossing Swords, Mythic Quest, Maya and the Three, Harriet the Spy, The Ghost and Molly McGee, The Legend of Vox Machina, American Dad!, Family Guy, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, Princess Power, Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and The Last of Us. Video game appearances include Nicktoons: Attack of the Toybots, Rango, Marvel Heroes, Grand Theft Auto V, and Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2.

Personal Life: Married to record producer Thom Russo since 2014. They have a son born in 2017.

Later Life: Was in the process of obtaining Spanish citizenship for her grandfather in 2024.

Trivia: Was nominated for a Young Artist Award for Beakman’s World in 1992.

472. Edward James Olmos

Dates: 1947-present

Early Life and Career: Born and raised in Los Angeles. Father was a welder and mail carrier who came to California from Mexico in 1945. Parents divorced when he was 7 years old and he was primarily raised by his great-grandparents as his parents worked. Grew up wanting to be a professional baseball player. At 13, Olmos joined the Los Angeles Dodgers’ farm system as a catcher. At 15, he left baseball to join a rock n’ roll band, causing a rift between him and his father who was hurt by that decision. Graduated from Montebello High School in 1964. While there, he lost the race for Student Body President to future California Democratic Party chair Al Torres. In his teen years, he was lead singer for a psychedelic/hard rock band he named Pacific Ocean, because it was to be “the biggest thing on the West Coast.” At the same time, he attended classes at East Los Angeles College, including courses in acting. For 7 years, Pacific Ocean performed at various clubs in and around Los Angeles as well as released an album called Purgatory in 1968. The album was promoted by 2 singles “I Can’t Stand It”/”I Wanna Testify,” and “My Shrink”/”16 Tons,” and was followed by a nationwide tour in 1969. While setting up for a Pacific Ocean show that night, Olmos slipped on stage and landed on a nail that went through his knee. Another time during a concert, Olmos jumped from the top of an organ across the stage into a drum set, getting knocked unconscious and dislocating the drummer’s shoulder. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Olmos branched out from music into acting, appearing in may small productions until his big break as the narrator called “El Pachuco” in the play Zoot Suit.

Movies and Cartoons: Coco (2017) as well as the series Elena of Avalor.

Characters: Chicharron

Also Known For: Actor best known as Detective Gaff in Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049, Lieutenant Martin “Marty” Castillo in Miami Vice, Jaime Escalante in Stand and Deliver, Montoya Santana in American Me, William Adama in Battlestar Galactica, Mito in Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Gregorio Cortez in The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez, Abraham Quintanilla in Selena, Felipe Reyes in Mayans M.C., Chief Tannabok in The Road to El Dorado, and El Pachuco in Zoot Suit. Has been a pioneer for more diversified roles and images of Latinos in American media. Film appearances include Wolfen, Triumph of the Spirit, Talent for the Game, My Family, Caught, The Disappearance of Garcia Lorca, The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit, Aloha Bobbi and Rose, Alambrista!, Saving Grace, The Fortunate Pilgrim, Roosters, Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, A Million to Juan, Mirage, Dead Man’s Walk, Hollywood Confidential, Splinter, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, I’m Still Here, The Green Hornet, America (2011), Filly Brown, Go for Sisters, 2 Guns, Unity, El Americano: The Movie, Imprisoned, A Dog’s way Home, Windows of the World, The Devil Has a Name, Chasing Wonders, Walking with Herb, Outlaw Posse, and One Fast Move. TV appearances include The Burning Season, 12 Angry Men, Walkout, Dexter, Kojak, Hawaii-Five-O, Starsky & Hutch, CHiPs, Hill Street Blues, The Fortunate Pilgrim, Menedez: A Killing Beverly Hills, The Magic School Bus, Crucible of Empire: The Spanish-American War, The West Wing, In the Time of Butterflies, The Batman, George Lopez, CSI: NY, Portlandia, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Simpsons, Narcos, Bless This Mess, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, and Blue Bloods.

Personal Life: Married 3 times. First wife was Kaija Keel (daughter of actor Howard Keel) from 1974 to their divorce in 1992. They have 2 sons named Bodie and Mico. Second wife was Sopranos actress Lorraine Bracco from 1994 until their divorce in 2002. Third and current wife is actress Lymari Nadal since 2002. But they’ve been separated since 2013. Has adopted 4 children including Daniela, Michael, Brandon, and Tamiko. Has been a vegan since 2015.

Later Life: In 1992 and 1997, Olmos faced 2 sexual assault allegations. One by a teenage girl who alleged he touched her inappropriately which he settled with $150,000 but it’s likely that that this incident may have involved Olmos’ son Bodie, not him. Or so Olmos claims. The second from a woman who claimed he sexually assaulted her in a South Carolina hotel. During a 1992 Los Angeles riot, Olmos went out with a broom and worked to get communities cleaned up and rebuilt. In 1997, he co-founded the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival and Latino Literacy Now that’s produce Latino Book & Festivals around the US, attended by over 700,000 people. In 1998, he founded Latino Public Broadcasting and serves as its chairman. In 1999, Olmos was one of the driving forces that created Americanos: Latino Life in the U.S., a book project featuring over 30 award-winning photographers, later turned into a Smithsonian traveling exhibition, music CD, and HBO special. Makes frequent appearances at juvenile halls and detention centers to speak to at-risk teenagers. Has been an international ambassador for UNICEF. In 2001, Olmos was arrested spent 20 days in jail for taking part in the Navy-Vieques protests against the US Navy target practice bombings of the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico. Narrated the 1999 documentary Zapatista in support of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation, a revolutionary group that’s abstained from using weapons since 1994. Has also been a vocal supporter of the SENS Foundation and animal rights. Obtained Mexican nationality in 2007. Was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2022 and immediately went into chemotherapy to treat it. Cancer went into remission by the end of the year. Yet, this wasn’t made public until 2023.

Trivia: Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for Stand and Deliver in 1988. Has won 2 Golden Globes, a Primetime Emmy, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and an Independent Spirit Award. Was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D) degree from Whittier College in 1993. Was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from California State University, Fresno in 1996. Asteroid 5608 Olmos is named in his honor. Received a Humanitarian Award from PETA in 2023.

473.  Ana Ofelia Murguia

Dates: 1933-2023

Early Life and Career: Born in Mexico City, Mexico. Studied at the Theater School of the National Institute of Fine Arts and was a student of the “father of Mexican theater” Seki Sano, which led her to a fruitful career on stage and screen.

Movies and Cartoons: Coco (2017)

Characters: Mama Coco

Also Known For: Mexican actress best known as Dona Victoria and Dona Amelia in Nobody Will Speak of Us When We Are Dead. At the time of her death, she was one of the last surviving stars of the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema. Film appearances include The Heist, Las Poquianchis, La Vispera, La pasion de Isabela, Dune (1984), Los Motivos de Luz, Gaby: A True Story, One Man’s War, and The Queen of the Night.

Personal Life: Couldn’t find anything about her personal life and she seemed to be a very private person.

Later Life: Died in Mexico City, Mexico in 2023 at 90.

Trivia: Has been nominated for the Ariel Award for Best Actress 5 times but won 3 Ariel Awards for Best Supporting Actress.

474. Alfonso Arau

Dates: 1932-present

Early Life and Career: Born Alfonso Arau Incháustegui in Mexico City, Mexico. Father was a physician. Was a drama disciple of Seki Sano, a classmate of Lee Strasberg with Konstantin Stanislavski in Russia, and traveled the world from 1964-1968 with his one-man show, “Pantomime Happy Madness” after studying with Etienne Decroux and Jacques Lecoq in Paris. That is, as far as Imdb is concerned.

Movies and Cartoons: Coco (2017)

Characters: Papa Julio

Also Known For: Mexican actor and filmmaker who’s worked as an actor and director in Hollywood and Mexican productions for over 40 years before his international hit Like Water for Chocolate in 1992. Best known as Captain Herrera in The Wild Bunch, El Guapo in Three Amigos, Manuel in Used Cars, Juan in Romancing the Stone, and Mando in Gunsmoke. Film appearances include Pedro Paramo, Parasio, El Topo, Scandalous John, The Garden of Aunt Isabel, Calzonzin Inspector, Posse, Tivoli, Mojado Power, Walker, Picking Up the Pieces, El Muerto, and I Heart Shakey. Also directed A Walk in the Clouds, Picking Up the Pieces, and Zapata: El sueno de la heroe. TV appearances include Bonanza, Miami Vice, and 227.

Personal Life: Married to author Laura Esquivel from 1975 to their divorce in 1995. Has 8 children including actor Fernando and musician Sergio.

Later Life: In 2017, it’s alleged by Debra Messing that Arau had belittled her for her appearance and body in A Walk in the Clouds, which she reinforced on a Finding Your Roots episode in 2025.

Trivia: Played Kaa in the Latin Spanish dub version of The Jungle Book (1967).

475. Herbert Siguenza

Dates: 1959-present

Early Life and Career: Born in San Francisco, California. Spent a portion of his life in El Salvador with his family before returning to California as a teenager to flee the civil unrest taking place in that country. Upon his return, Siguenza attended Balboa High School and the California College of Art and Crafts where, a first-generation college student, he received his BFA in printmaking. At this point, theater wasn’t something that he knew he had an interest in pursuing. Was originally trained as an artist and print making with examples of his work from the early 1980s can be seen in the collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Shortly after receiving his BFA, he served 10 years as the art director at La Raza Silkscreen Center / La Raza Graphics in San Francisco. From there, he moved into performing arts and became involved in Teatro Gusto, performing in places like the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts. Began his acting career in 1984 when he co-founded Culture Clash with Ric Salinas, Richard Montoya, José Antonio Burciaga, Marga Gómez, and Monica Palacios. Together they toured the country performing Chicano theater with topics involving social commentary through the use of satire. While the latter 3 on went on to eventually drop out, Siguenza, Salinas, and Montoya still perform together today.

Movies and Cartoons: Coco (2017)

Characters: Tio Oscar and Tio Felipe

Also Known For: Actor, writer, visual artist, and performer based in California. Best known for co-founding the theater performance group Culture Clash in 1984 and is still active. 

Personal Life: Married twice. First wife was Adriana Rodrigues from 2002 to their divorce in 2008. Second and current wife is a woman named either Christina or Samantha. They have a daughter named Belen.

Later Life: Currently the playwright-in-residence at the San Diego Rep and has continued to pursue many solo ventures in addition to his group work. Also served as a cultural consultant for Coco (2017).

Trivia: Personal and professional papers are housed at the California State University, Northridge Special Collections and Archives in the University Library.

476. Jaime Camil

Dates: 1973-present

Early Life and Career: Born Jaime Federico Said Camil de Saldanha da Gama in Mexico City, Mexico. Father was a businessman. Mother was a Brazilian singer. Earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Universidad Anahuac. Studied acting in New York City, Los Angeles, and Mexico. Also took classical opera training in Italy. Started his career in 1993 as a radio commentator on Radioactivo 98.5. Made his screen debut in 1995 as host of El show de Jaime Camil. Released his first album Para estar contigo, taking him to major cities in Mexico, South America, and the United States. Made his film debut in 1997 with Delfines. Acted in his first telenovela Mi destino eres tu. Yet, he didn’t really achieve universal renown until he starred in La fea mas bella in the mid-2000s.

Movies and Cartoons: Coco (2017) as well as various series.

Characters: Papa

Also Known For: Mexican, actor, singer, and television personality best known as Fernando Mendiola in La Fea Mas Bella and Rogelio de la Vega in Jane the Virgin. Film appearances include Zapata: El sueno de un heroe, Open Season, Bee Movie, El Agente 00-P2, I Do…Knot, Regresa, 200 Cartas, Pulling Strings, Elsa & Fred, The Secret Life of Pets, Little Bitches, Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation, The Secret Life of Pets 2, Madness in the Method, My Boyfriend’s Meds, and Kimi. TV appearances include Mirada de mujer, Por tu amor, Mi Destino Eres Tu, La hora pico, Mujer de madera, Una familia de diez, Las tontas no van al cielo, Los exitos Perez, Por ella soy Eva, Que pobres tan ricos, The Talk, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Charmed, Star vs. the Forces of Evil, BoJack Horsemen, Broke, Schmigadoon!, Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, The Idol of the People, Loteria Loca, and Lopez vs Lopez.

Personal Life: Married to model Heidi Balvanera since 2013. They have 2 children. Is fluent in Spanish, English, Portuguese, and French.

Later Life: Divides his time between Mexico City and Los Angeles.

Trivia: Has been nominated for 2 Critics’ Choice Awards and 2 Teen Choice Awards. Sang the national anthem at the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix NASCAR race.

477. Luis Miguel Valdez

Dates: 1940-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Delano, California as the second of 10 children. Parents were migrant farm workers. At 6, he began working in the fields. Throughout his childhood, the family moved from harvest to harvest around the central valleys of California. Due to this nomadic existence, he attended many different schools before his family settled in San Jose, California. Began school in Stratford, California. Interest in theater began in the first grade. Throughout elementary school, Valdez organized plays at school and put on puppet shows in his garage, which were usually about fairy tales. In high school, he was part of the Speech and Drama department, acting in several plays. Considered himself “a very serious student.”  Graduated from James Lick High School and went on to attend San Jose State University on a math and physics scholarship. But during his second year, he switched his major to English and later won a playwriting contest with his one-act play The Theft in 1961. In 1963, his college drama department produced his first full-length play, The Shrunken Head of Pancho Villa. After graduation, Valdez spent the next few months with The San Francisco Mime Troupe, where he was introduced to agitprop theatre, guerrilla theatre, and the Italian commedia dell’arte. These techniques greatly influenced Valdez’s development of the basic structure of Chicano: the one act presentational called the acto that’s usually around 15 minutes long. In 1965, Valdez returned to Delano, where he enlisted in Cesar Chavez’s mission to organize farm workers into a comprehensive union. He brought together farm workers and students to form El Teatro Campesino, a farm workers’ theater troupe known for touring migrant camps with their 15-minute actos. These plays weren’t just used to educate and inform not only the farm workers, but also the public. Intertwining social and political commentary with humor, original plays were based on farmworkers’ experiences. But by 1967, their subject matter expanded to other aspects of Chicano culture. Although Valdez left El Teatro in 1967, Chicano theater exploded in the 1970s on college campuses and in communities throughout the United States.

Movies and Cartoons: Coco (2017)

Characters: Tio Berto and Don Hidalgo

Also Known For: Playwright, screenwriter, film director, and actor best known as the father of Chicano film and playwriting. Best known works are his play Zoot Suit, his film La Bamba, and his creation of El Teatro Campesino. A pioneer of the Chicano movement, he broadened the scope of theater and arts in the Chicano community.

Personal Life: Brother of actor David Valdez. Married to Lupe Trujillo since 1969. They have 3 children.

Later Life: Established a Chicano cultural center in Del Rey, California in 1967. Moved the theater and cultural center to Fresno in 1969. There, he made his first short film, taught at Fresno State University, and created TENAZ, the national Chicano theater organization comprised of many theater groups throughout the Southwest US. Moved the theater and cultural center a final time in 1971 to San Juan Bautista, which is south of San Francisco and where he still lives today. The place would be called the El Centro Campesino Cultural and became a fully professional production company. Published the poem Pensamento Serpentino in 1973. In 1984, Valdez became a founding faculty member of the California State University, Monterrey Bay Teledramatic Arts and Technology Department. There, he’s credited with assisting the development of a university program preparing students for the entertainment industry such as filmmaking, writing, cinematography, sound, and the like. In 1989, Valdez and officials from the Academy of Media Arts and Sciences and Nosotros formed the Latino Writers Group to improve opportunities and pay for Latino writers in Hollywood.

Trivia: Has been nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Has received a Peabody in 1987. Received the Hispanic Heritage Award in Literature in 1992. Made a Rockefeller Fellow in 2007. Received the National Medal of the Arts in 2015. Received an honorary doctorate from the California Institute of the Arts.

478. Gabriel Iglesias

Dates: 1976-present

Early Life and Career: Born in San Diego, California. Mainly raised by his mother as a single parent. Has lived in Riverside, Corona, Santa Ana, Baldwin Park, and Compton before settling in Section 8 low-income housing in Long Beach where Iglesias spent most of his childhood. Later worked for a cell-phone company in Los Angeles before going into comedy in 1997. Although it resulted in him being evicted from his home and losing his car. Appeared in the sixth season in the sketch comedy series All That. Was a contestant on the fourth season of Last Comic Standing in 2000, surviving elimination to become one of the final 8 comics. Yet, was disqualified at one point for having to use a smuggled BlackBerry to communicate with his family and friends, which violated the show.

Movies and Cartoons: Planes (2013) and Coco (2017) as well as the series The Emperor’s New School and Monsters at Work.

Characters: Ned, Zed, and Clerk

Also Known For: Stand-up comedian and actor who’s produced a number of stand-up specials for Comedy Central and Netflix. Best known as Tobias in Magic Mike, and Speedy Gonzales in Space Jam: A New Legacy. Was one of the top 10 paid comedians in the world in 2018. Film appearances include The Nut Job, A Haunted House 2, The Book of Life, The Star, Ferdinand, Snow Dogs (2018), UglyDolls, Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever. TV appearances include All That, My Wife and Kids, Comedy Central Presents, Last Comic Standing, Family Guy, The High Fructose Adventures of Annoying Orange, Key & Peele, Scooby-Doo! Ghastly Goals, Cristela, Ice Age: The Great Egg-Scapade, Narcos, Funny You Should Ask, Modern Family, Unleashed, Hell’s Kitchen, The Santa Clauses, WWE Rivals, Pupstruction, Primos, Everybody Stil Hates Chris, and American Dad!.

Personal Life: Was in a long-term relationship with Claudia Valdez until their split in 2017. Had a self-proclaimed stepson with her named Frankie with whom he still maintains a relationship. Still, his split from Valdez led him to cancel performances and quit drinking for a couple of years.

Later Life: Has lived in Whittier, California since 2010. At his heaviest, when he weighed 445 lbs, he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes with his blood sugar regularly spiking at 300 mg/dl. He decided to lose the weight once his doctor told him that he had 2 years to live. Instead of bariatric surgery, he took up weightlifting, Diamond Dallas Page Yoga, and a high-protein and low-carb diet, all of which helped him shed 100 lbs. He’s also struggled with depression and alcoholism which he attributes partly to burnout and a heavy touring schedule. Tested positive for Covid-19 which led him to cancel some performances at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts as well as the taping of his comedy special.

Trivia: Received the key to the city of El Paso, Texas in 2012. Received the Beacon of H.O.P.E. Award from the nonprofit organization Operation H.O.P.E. Inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2025. Attributes influences to Paul Rodriguez, Eddie Murphy, Robin Williams, and Bill Cosby. Is also known for his trademark Hawaiian shirts.

479. Catherine Keener

Dates: 1959-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Miami, Florida. Raised in Hialeh where she attended Monsignor Edward Pace School. Attended Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts where she majored in American Studies as well as enrolled in theater course. Graduated from there with a Bachelor of Arts in 1983. Made screen debut in 1986.

Movies and Cartoons: Incredibles 2 (2018) as well as Lego The Incredibles video game.

Characters: Evelyn Deavor

Also Known For: Actress known for playing disgruntled and melancholic yet sympathetic women in independent films as well as supporting roles in studio films. Best known as Harper Lee in Capote and Gertrude Baniszewski in An American Crime. Film appearances  include Being John Malkovitch, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Into the Wild, Synecdoche, New York, Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief, Get Out, Joker: Foile a Deux, The Croods, About Last Night…, Survival Quest, Thelma & Louise, Boys, Box of Moonlight, Your Friends & Neighbors, Simpatico, Lovely & Amazing, Adaptation, Death  to Smoochy, The Ballad of Jack and Rose, The Interpreter, Friends with Money, Hamlet 2, What Just Happened, The Soloist, Where the Wild Things Are, Cyrus, Trust, A Late Quartet, Enough Said, Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa, War Story, Begin Again, Elephant Song, Little Pink House, Nostalgia, Sicaro: Day of the Soldado, The Adam Project, and Polar Bear. TV appearances include Kidding, L.A. Law, Ohara, Knightwatch, CBS Summer Playhouse, Seinfeld, Show Me a Hero, Forever, Modern Love, and Brand New Cherry Flavor.

Personal Life: Married to actor Dermot Mulroney from 1990 to their divorce in 2007. They have a son name Clyde who’s a singer.

Later Life: Has a notorious reputation for being press-shy. Although she’s perfectly open with talking about her collaborations with directors and co-stars, she often refuses to talk about anything regarding her personal life since she values her privacy.

Trivia: Has been nominated for 2 Academy Awards, 2 Golden Globes, a Primetime Emmy, and a BAFTA.

480. Jonathan Banks

Dates: 1947-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Washington D.C. Grew up in Chillum Heights, Maryland. Father was a civil servant. Mother was a professor at Indiana University as well as a secretary in various government offices and top Naval officers, including Admiral Chester Nimitz. Graduated from Northwood High School in Silver Spring. Attended Indiana University Bloomington. After graduating, he joined a touring company of Hair as a stage manager, traveling to Australia and New Zealand. Moved to Los Angeles in 1974 where he worked at a theater before picking up bit parts. Achieved his breakthrough role as Frank McPike in the show Wiseguy in 1987.

Movies and Cartoons: Incredibles 2 (2018) as well as Lego The Incredibles video game and series Tangled: The Series and Gravity Falls.

Characters: Rick Dicker

Also Known For: Actor best known as FBI Special Agent Frank McPike in Wiseguy, Mike Ehrmantraut in Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, and El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, Commissioner Jim Gordon in Batman: Arkham Knight, and Brit in Invincible. Film appearances include The Rose, Airplane!, Frances, Beverly Hills Cop, Armed and Dangerous, There Goes the Neighborhood, Under Siege 2: Dark Territory, Foolish, Puff, Puff, Pass, Identity Thief, The Commuter, Coming Home, The Cheap Detective, Who’ll Stop the Rain, Stir Crazy, 48 Hrs., Gremlins, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai and the 8^th Dimension, Gangster Wars, Freejack, Flipper, Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles, R.S.V.P., Proximity, Reign Over Me, Horrible Bosses 2, Mudbound, and Redbad. TV appearances include Community, Lou Grant, The Waltons, Little House on the Prairie, The Gangster Chronicles, Best of the West, T. J. Hooker, Hill Street Blues, Cagney & Lacey, Otherworld, Falcon Crest, Designing Women, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Matlock, Tales from the Crypt, Women of the House, SeaQuest 2032, Diagnosis: Murder, The Trouble with Normal, Alias, Joan of Arcadia, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, E-Ring, Ghost Whisperer, Without a Trace, Day Break, Dexter, Shark, Eli Stone, Lie to Me, Cold Case, Castle, Modern Family, Two and a Half Men, CSI: Miami, Parks and Recreation, Vegas, The Lizzie Borden Chronicles, Robot Chicken, The Expanse, MythBusters, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Skylanders Academy, Dr. Ken, The Comey Rule, Kite Man: Hell Yeah!, A Tale of Dark & Grimm, and Constellation.  

Personal Life: Married twice. First wife was Marnie Fausch from 1968 to their divorce in 1970. They have a daughter. Second and current wife is Gennera Gonzalez Cebian since 1990. They have fraternal twins. Banks also has a stepdaughter from this marriage as well.

Later Life: Home was destroyed in the 2018 Woosley Fire.

Trivia: Has been nominated for 6 Primetime Emmys and won a Screen Actors Guild Award and 2 Saturn Awards. Received an honorary doctorate from Indiana University in 2016. Was a classmate of Kevin Kline at Indiana University and they performed together in a campus production of The Threepenny Opera.