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{{short description|American actor (b. 1955)}}
{{Short description|American actor (born 1955)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2012}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2012}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Jimmy Smits
| name = Jimmy Smits
| image = Jimmy Smits by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| image = Jimmy Smits by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| caption = Smits in 2016
| caption = Smits at the 2016 [[San Diego Comic-Con]]
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1955|7|9}}
| birth_name = Jimmy L. Smits
| birth_place = [[Brooklyn, New York]], U.S.
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1955|07|09}}
| birth_place = [[New York City]], U.S.
| occupation = Actor
| occupation = Actor
| years_active = 1984–present
| years_active = 1984–present
| known_for = ''[[LA Law]]''<br />''[[NYPD Blue]]''<br>''[[Star Wars]]''<br />''[[Dexter (tv series)|Dexter]]''<br><i>[[The West Wing]]</i>
| known_for = {{Plain list|
* ''[[LA Law]]''
* ''[[NYPD Blue]]''
* ''[[Star Wars]]''
* ''[[Dexter (TV series)|Dexter]]''
* ''[[The West Wing]]''
* ''[[Brooklyn Nine-Nine]]''
| education = [[Brooklyn College]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br />[[Cornell University]] ([[Master of Fine Arts|MFA]])
* ''[[East New York (TV series)|East New York]]''
}}
| education = {{Plain list|
* [[Brooklyn College]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
* [[Cornell University]] ([[Master of Fine Arts|MFA]])
}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Barbara Smits|1981|1987|end=divorce}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Barbara Smits|1981|1987|end=divorce}}
| partner = [[Wanda De Jesus]] (1986–present)
| partner = [[Wanda De Jesus]] (1986–present)
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}}
}}


'''Jimmy L. Smits''' (born July 9, 1955) is an American actor. He is best known for playing attorney Victor Sifuentes on the 1980s-1990s legal drama ''[[L.A. Law]]'', [[New York Police Department|NYPD]] Detective [[Bobby Simone]] on the 1990s police drama ''[[NYPD Blue]]'', [[Matt Santos]] on the political drama ''[[The West Wing]]'', and for appearing in ''[[Switch (1991 film)|Switch]]'' (1991), ''[[My Family (film)|My Family]]'' (1995), and as ADA [[Miguel Prado]] in ''[[Dexter (TV series)|Dexter]]''. He also appeared as [[Bail Organa]] in the [[Star Wars prequel trilogy|''Star Wars'' prequel trilogy]] and ''[[Rogue One]]''. From 2012 to 2014, he joined the main cast of ''[[Sons of Anarchy]]'' as [[List of Sons of Anarchy characters#Nero Padilla|Nero Padilla]]. Smits also portrayed Elijah Strait in the [[NBC]] drama series ''[[Bluff City Law]]''.
'''Jimmy L. Smits''' (born July 9, 1955) is an American actor. He is best known for playing attorney Victor Sifuentes on the 1980s–1990s legal drama ''[[L.A. Law]]'', [[New York Police Department|NYPD]] Detective [[Bobby Simone]] on the 1990s–2000s police drama ''[[NYPD Blue]]'', and [[Matt Santos]] on the political drama ''[[The West Wing]]''. He appeared in ''[[Switch (1991 film)|Switch]]'' (1991), ''[[My Family (1995 film)|My Family]]'' (1995), ''[[The Jane Austen Book Club (film)|The Jane Austen Book Club]]'' (2007), and ''[[In the Heights (film)|In the Heights]]'' (2021). He also appeared as [[Bail Organa]] in the ''[[Star Wars]]'' franchise and as ADA [[Miguel Prado]] in ''[[Dexter (TV series)|Dexter]]''. From 2012 to 2014, he was a member of the main cast of ''[[Sons of Anarchy]]'', in the role of [[List of Sons of Anarchy characters#Nero Padilla|Nero Padilla]]. Smits also portrayed Elijah Strait in the [[NBC]] drama series ''[[Bluff City Law]]''.


==Early life==
==Early life and education==
Smits was born in [[Brooklyn, New York]]. Smits's father, Cornelis Leendert Smits (1929–2015), was from [[Paramaribo]], [[Suriname]], and was of Dutch descent.<ref name=parade>{{cite news|title=In Step With: Jimmy Smits |newspaper=Parade Magazine |date=January 2, 2005 |url=http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2005/edition_01-02-2005/in_step_with_1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060117063710/http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2005/edition_01-02-2005/in_step_with_1 |archive-date=January 17, 2006 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://marineparkfh.com/tribute/details/1291/Cornelis_Smits/obituary.html|title=Obituary of Cornelis Smits|publisher=Marine Park Funeral Home|year=2015|access-date=2016-06-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xqbQAgAAQBAJ&q=%22Cornelis,+of+Dutch+lineage+and+from+Surinam%22&pg=PA491 |title=In the Heart of Showbiz: A Biographical Triography of Variety Recording ... - Warren Allen Smith - Google Books |access-date=2016-12-21|isbn=9781257042524 |last1=Smith |first1=Warren Allen |year=2011 }}</ref> Smits's mother, Emilina (née Pola; 1930–2015), was [[Puerto Rican people|Puerto Rican]], born in [[Peñuelas, Puerto Rico|Peñuelas]].<ref>[http://www.collegeoutreachusa.org/articles/smits.html Taking Charge Through Education, by Jimmy Smits] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129012736/http://www.collegeoutreachusa.org/articles/smits.html |date=November 29, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://marineparkfh.com/tribute/details/1387/Emelina_Pola_Smits/obituary.html|title=Obituary of Emelina Pola Smits |publisher=Marine Park Funeral Home |year=2015|access-date=2016-06-08}}</ref> He and his two sisters, Yvonne and Diana, grew up in a working-class neighborhood.<ref name="Jimmy Smits – Redbook">[http://www.redbookmag.com/your/celebrity/manifesto/jimmy-smits-cm Jimmy Smits – Redbook] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927132400/http://www.redbookmag.com/your/celebrity/manifesto/jimmy-smits-cm |date=September 27, 2007 }}</ref><ref name="gale.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.gale.com/free_resources/chh/bio/smits_j.htm|title=Education, Learning and Research Resources Online - Gale|website=www.gale.com|access-date=October 6, 2018}}</ref> At ten years old, he began living in Puerto Rico for a couple of years. Until then, he did not speak Spanish. He described attending a Spanish-only school as "jarring" and "traumatic."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Parsi |first1=Novid |title=Jimmy Smits Interview |url=https://www.timeout.com/chicago/theater/jimmy-smits-interview |access-date=9 January 2021 |work=[[Time Out (magazine)|Time Out Chicago]] |publisher=[[Time Out Group]] |date=December 26, 2012 |language=en}}</ref>
Smits was born in [[Brooklyn, New York]]. Smits's father, Cornelis Leendert Smits (1929–2015), was from [[Paramaribo]], [[Suriname]], and was of [[Dutch Surinamese|Dutch descent]].<ref name=parade>{{cite news|title=In Step With: Jimmy Smits |newspaper=Parade Magazine |date=January 2, 2005 |url=http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2005/edition_01-02-2005/in_step_with_1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060117063710/http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2005/edition_01-02-2005/in_step_with_1 |archive-date=January 17, 2006 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://marineparkfh.com/tribute/details/1291/Cornelis_Smits/obituary.html|title=Obituary of Cornelis Smits|publisher=Marine Park Funeral Home|year=2015|access-date=2016-06-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xqbQAgAAQBAJ&q=%22Cornelis,+of+Dutch+lineage+and+from+Surinam%22&pg=PA491 |title=In the Heart of Showbiz: A Biographical Triography of Variety Recording ... - Warren Allen Smith - Google Books |access-date=2016-12-21|isbn=9781257042524 |last1=Smith |first1=Warren Allen |year=2011 |publisher=Lulu.com }}</ref> Smits's mother, Emilina (née Pola; 1930–2015), was [[Puerto Rican people|Puerto Rican]], born in [[Peñuelas, Puerto Rico|Peñuelas]].<ref>[http://www.collegeoutreachusa.org/articles/smits.html Taking Charge Through Education, by Jimmy Smits] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129012736/http://www.collegeoutreachusa.org/articles/smits.html |date=November 29, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://marineparkfh.com/tribute/details/1387/Emelina_Pola_Smits/obituary.html|title=Obituary of Emelina Pola Smits |publisher=Marine Park Funeral Home |year=2015|access-date=2016-06-08}}</ref> He and his two sisters, Yvonne and Diana, grew up in a working-class neighborhood.<ref name="Jimmy Smits – Redbook">[http://www.redbookmag.com/your/celebrity/manifesto/jimmy-smits-cm Jimmy Smits – Redbook] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927132400/http://www.redbookmag.com/your/celebrity/manifesto/jimmy-smits-cm |date=September 27, 2007 }}</ref><ref name="gale.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.gale.com/free_resources/chh/bio/smits_j.htm|title=Education, Learning and Research Resources Online - Gale|website=www.gale.com|access-date=October 6, 2018}}</ref> When he was ten years old, he moved to Puerto Rico for a couple of years. Until then he did not speak Spanish. He described attending a Spanish-only school as "jarring" and "traumatic."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Parsi |first1=Novid |title=Jimmy Smits Interview |url=https://www.timeout.com/chicago/theater/jimmy-smits-interview |access-date=9 January 2021 |work=[[Time Out (magazine)|Time Out Chicago]] |publisher=[[Time Out Group]] |date=December 26, 2012 |language=en}}</ref>


Smits was raised in a strict, devout [[Roman Catholic]] family. He identifies as Puerto Rican<ref name="Jimmy Smits – Redbook"/><ref name="gale.com"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.latina.com/entertainment/tv/exclusive-jimmy-smits-playing-outlaws-there-might-be-ethnicity-thing-it|title=EXCLUSIVE: Jimmy Smits on Playing Outlaws: "There Might Be An Ethnicity Thing to It"|publisher=[[Latina (magazine)|Latina]]|date=July 9, 2010|access-date=July 1, 2010|first=Lee|last=Hernandez}}</ref> and frequently visits Puerto Rico.
Smits was raised in a strict, devout [[Roman Catholic]] family. He identifies as Puerto Rican<ref name="Jimmy Smits – Redbook"/><ref name="gale.com"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Hernandez |first=Lee |date=July 9, 2010 |title=EXCLUSIVE: Jimmy Smits on Playing Outlaws: "There Might Be An Ethnicity Thing to It" |publisher=[[Latina (magazine)|Latina]] |url=http://www.latina.com/entertainment/tv/exclusive-jimmy-smits-playing-outlaws-there-might-be-ethnicity-thing-it |access-date=July 1, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101026061535/http://www.latina.com/entertainment/tv/exclusive-jimmy-smits-playing-outlaws-there-might-be-ethnicity-thing-it |url-status=dead |archive-date=2010-10-26 }}</ref> and frequently visits Puerto Rico.


Smits was an athlete in his youth. He graduated from [[Thomas Jefferson High School (Brooklyn)|Thomas Jefferson High School]] and earned a [[bachelor's degree]] from [[Brooklyn College]] in 1980 and an [[Master of Fine Arts|MFA]] from [[Cornell University]] in 1982.<ref name="Jimmy Smits">{{cite web| website= Biography.com| url= http://www.biography.com/people/jimmy-smits-9542327 | title=Jimmy Smits| access-date=February 2, 2016}}</ref>
==Education==
Smits was an athlete in his youth. He graduated from [[Thomas Jefferson High School (Brooklyn)|Thomas Jefferson High School]]. He earned a [[bachelor's degree]] from [[Brooklyn College]] in 1980 and an [[Master of Fine Arts|MFA]] from [[Cornell University]] in 1982.<ref name="Jimmy Smits">{{cite web| website= Biography.com| url= http://www.biography.com/people/jimmy-smits-9542327 | title=Jimmy Smits| access-date=February 2, 2016}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
===Film and television===
[[Image:Jimmy Smits at the 39th Emmy Awards2.jpg|thumb|upright|right|Smits at the 39th Annual Emmy Awards in 1987]]
[[Image:Jimmy Smits at the 39th Emmy Awards2.jpg|thumb|upright|right|Smits at the 39th Annual Emmy Awards in 1987]]
One of Smits's early roles was as [[Sonny Crockett]]'s original partner on the first episode of ''[[Miami Vice]]'' in 1984, where he falls victim to a [[car bomb]] in the episode's first five minutes.
One of Smits's early roles was playing [[Sonny Crockett]]'s original partner on the first episode of ''[[Miami Vice]]'' in 1984. In the first five minutes of the episode he falls victim to a [[car bomb]].


Beginning in 1986, Smits played Victor Sifuentes in the first five seasons of the NBC television [[Steven Bochco]] legal drama ''[[L.A. Law]]'',<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://articles.latimes.com/1987-08-07/entertainment/ca-1054_1_victor-sifuentes|title=Jimmy Smits: A Latino Look And Class Act On 'L.a. Law'|last=McKENNA|first=KRISTINE|date=1987-08-07|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2017-10-19|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref> for which he was nominated for six [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]], winning in [[42nd Primetime Emmy Awards|1990]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.emmys.com/bios/jimmy-smits|title = Jimmy Smits}}</ref>
Beginning in 1986, Smits played Victor Sifuentes in the first five seasons of the NBC television [[Steven Bochco]] legal drama ''[[L.A. Law]]'',<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-08-07-ca-1054-story.html|title=Jimmy Smits: A Latino Look And Class Act On 'L.a. Law'|last=McKENNA|first=KRISTINE|date=1987-08-07|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2017-10-19|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref> for which he was nominated for six [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]], winning in [[42nd Primetime Emmy Awards|1990]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.emmys.com/bios/jimmy-smits|title = Jimmy Smits}}</ref>


Also in 1986, Smits made his feature film debut as drug dealer Julio Gonzalez in the comedy/action cop film ''[[Running Scared (1986 film)|Running Scared]]'' starring [[Billy Crystal]] and [[Gregory Hines]]. In 1989, Smits had a leading role in the romantic adventure ''[[Old Gringo]]'' as [[Jane Fonda]]'s love interest.
Additionally, Smits played a repairman on ''[[Pee-wee's Playhouse]]'', and he starred in the multigenerational story of a [[Chicano]] family in the film ''[[My Family (film)|My Family]]'' (1995), alongside [[Edward James Olmos]] and [[Jennifer Lopez]].

Additionally, Smits played a repairman on ''[[Pee-wee's Playhouse]]'', and he starred in the multigenerational story of a [[Chicano]] family in the film ''[[My Family (1995 film)|My Family]]'' (1995), alongside [[Edward James Olmos]] and [[Jennifer Lopez]].


One of Smits's most acclaimed roles was that of Detective [[Bobby Simone]] on the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] television program ''NYPD Blue'', in which he starred from 1994 to 1998. He received several Emmy nominations for his performance on the series and was reunited with his former co-star [[Dennis Franz]] at the 2016 [[Emmy Awards]] presentation. He won the ALMA award twice.
One of Smits's most acclaimed roles was that of Detective [[Bobby Simone]] on the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] television program ''NYPD Blue'', in which he starred from 1994 to 1998. He received several Emmy nominations for his performance on the series and was reunited with his former co-star [[Dennis Franz]] at the 2016 [[Emmy Awards]] presentation. He won the ALMA award twice.
[[Image:Jimmy Smits 2 (48591893606).jpg|thumb|right|Smits in 2000]]


In 1999, Smits received the HOLA Award for Excellence from the [[Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors]] (HOLA).
[[Image:Jimmy Smits 2 (48591893606).jpg|thumb|upright|left|Smits in 2000]]
Smits was scheduled to host the 2001 Latin Grammy Awards broadcast on September 11, 2001. It was canceled due to continuous news coverage and out of respect for the victims of the [[September 11 attacks|terrorist attacks]] earlier that day. He did host a non-televised press conference to announce the winners.
Smits was scheduled to host the 2001 Latin Grammy Awards broadcast on September 11, 2001. It was canceled due to continuous news coverage and out of respect for the victims of the [[September 11 attacks|terrorist attacks]] earlier that day. He did host a non-televised press conference to announce the winners.


Smits appeared as [[Viceroy Bail Organa|Senator Bail Organa]] of [[Alderaan]] in ''[[Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones]]'' (2002) and ''[[Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith]]'' (2005), in which the character becomes [[Princess Leia]]'s adoptive father. He reappeared as Bail Organa in the game ''[[Star Wars: The Force Unleashed]]'' (2008) and the spinoff movie ''[[Rogue One]]'' (2016).
Smits appeared as [[Viceroy Bail Organa|Senator Bail Organa]] of [[Alderaan]] in ''[[Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones]]'' (2002) and ''[[Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith]]'' (2005), in which the character becomes [[Princess Leia]]'s adoptive father. He reappeared as Bail Organa in the game ''[[Star Wars: The Force Unleashed]]'' (2008) and the spinoff movie ''[[Rogue One]]'' (2016). He later reprised the role for ''[[Obi-Wan Kenobi (TV series)|Obi-Wan Kenobi]]'' (2022).


Smits played the role of [[United States House of Representatives|Congressman]] [[Matt Santos]] of [[Houston, Texas]], in the final two seasons of the NBC television drama ''The West Wing'',<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2008/11/the-jimmy-smits-interview-015156|title=The Jimmy Smits interview|work=POLITICO|access-date=2017-10-19}}</ref> joining fellow ''L.A. Law'' alumnus [[John Spencer (actor)|John Spencer]]. His character eventually ran for and won the U.S. presidency.
Smits played the role of [[United States House of Representatives|Congressman]] [[Matt Santos]] of [[Houston, Texas]], in the final two seasons of the NBC television drama ''The West Wing'',<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2008/11/the-jimmy-smits-interview-015156|title=The Jimmy Smits interview|work=POLITICO|access-date=2017-10-19}}</ref> joining fellow ''L.A. Law'' alumnus [[John Spencer (actor)|John Spencer]]. His character eventually ran for and won the U.S. presidency.
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Additionally, Smits portrayed the character Alex Vega in the CBS TV series ''[[Cane (TV series)|Cane]]'', which aired from September 25, 2007, to December 18, 2007, and was subsequently canceled by the network due to the 2007 Screen Writer's Guild strike.
Additionally, Smits portrayed the character Alex Vega in the CBS TV series ''[[Cane (TV series)|Cane]]'', which aired from September 25, 2007, to December 18, 2007, and was subsequently canceled by the network due to the 2007 Screen Writer's Guild strike.


Smits joined the ''[[Sons of Anarchy]]'' cast in [[Sons of Anarchy#Season 5|season 5]] as [[List of Sons of Anarchy characters#Nero Padilla|Nero Padilla]], a high-level pimp who refers to himself as a "companionator". He builds a relationship with [[Gemma Teller Morrow]] ([[Katey Sagal]]) and forms an alliance and mentorship with Gemma's son, the central character [[Jax Teller]] ([[Charlie Hunnam]]).<ref>{{cite news|journal=USA Today|date=1 October 2012|access-date=23 October 2012|title=On 'Sons of Anarchy,' new faces and new fears|author=Bill Keveney|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2012/10/01/sons-of-anarchy-smits-perrineau/1606569/}}</ref>
Smits joined the ''[[Sons of Anarchy]]'' cast in [[Sons of Anarchy#Season 5 (2012)|season 5]] as [[List of Sons of Anarchy characters#Nero Padilla|Nero Padilla]], a high-level pimp who refers to himself as a "companionator". He builds a relationship with [[Gemma Teller Morrow]] ([[Katey Sagal]]) and forms an alliance and mentorship with Gemma's son, the central character [[Jax Teller]] ([[Charlie Hunnam]]).<ref>{{cite news|journal=USA Today|date=1 October 2012|access-date=23 October 2012|title=On 'Sons of Anarchy,' new faces and new fears|author=Bill Keveney|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2012/10/01/sons-of-anarchy-smits-perrineau/1606569/}}</ref>


Smits starred in ''[[The Get Down]]'', a musical drama television series which debuted in 2016 on [[Netflix]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/08/baz-luhrmann-the-get-down-production-hiatus-netflix-1201497749/|title=Baz Luhrmann's Netflix Series 'The Get Down' To Take Production Hiatus|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|publisher=Deadline|date=2015-08-11|access-date=2016-06-08}}</ref>
Smits starred in ''[[The Get Down]]'', a musical drama television series which debuted in 2016 on [[Netflix]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/08/baz-luhrmann-the-get-down-production-hiatus-netflix-1201497749/|title=Baz Luhrmann's Netflix Series 'The Get Down' To Take Production Hiatus|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|publisher=Deadline|date=2015-08-11|access-date=2016-06-08}}</ref>


On February 25, 2019, news outlets reported that Smits was cast as Elijah Strait in NBC drama series ''[[Bluff City Law]]''<ref>{{cite web|last1=Andreeva|first1=Nellie|title=Jimmy Smits To Star In NBC Legal Drama Pilot 'Bluff City Law'|url=https://deadline.com/2019/02/jimmy-smits-star-bluff-city-law-nbc-legal-drama-pilot-1202564968/|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=May 8, 2019|date=February 25, 2019}}</ref> and it was picked up to series on May 6, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Andreeva|first1=Nellie|title=Drama 'Bluff City Law' Starring Jimmy Smits & Kal Penn Comedy 'Sunnyside' Picked Up To Series By NBC|url=https://deadline.com/2019/05/bluff-city-law-jimmy-smits-kal-penn-comedy-sunnyside-picked-up-series-nbc-1202608537/|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=May 8, 2019|date=May 6, 2019}}</ref> ''Bluff City Law'' brings Smits back to TV courtrooms on a steady basis for the first time in over a quarter century since his role in ''[[L.A. Law]].''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/20/entertainment/jimmy-smitts-bluff-city-law/index.html|title=Jimmy Smits returns to the TV courtroom|first=Scott |last=Huver|website=CNN|date=September 20, 2019|access-date=2020-02-06}}</ref>
In 2016, Smits returned to his role as [[Senator Bail Organa]] in ''[[Rogue One: A Star Wars Story]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/rogue-one-star-wars-story/jimmy-smits-confirms-bail-organa-rogue-one/|title=Jimmy Smits confirms Bail Organa is in Rogue One|date=August 7, 2016}}</ref>

On February 25, 2019, news outlets reported that Smits was cast as Elijah Strait in NBC drama series ''[[Bluff City Law]]''<ref>{{cite web|last1=Andreeva|first1=Nellie|title=Jimmy Smits To Star In NBC Legal Drama Pilot 'Bluff City Law'|url=https://deadline.com/2019/02/jimmy-smits-star-bluff-city-law-nbc-legal-drama-pilot-1202564968/|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=May 8, 2019|date=February 25, 2019}}</ref> and it was ordered straight to series on May 6, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Andreeva|first1=Nellie|title=Drama 'Bluff City Law' Starring Jimmy Smits & Kal Penn Comedy 'Sunnyside' Picked Up To Series By NBC|url=https://deadline.com/2019/05/bluff-city-law-jimmy-smits-kal-penn-comedy-sunnyside-picked-up-series-nbc-1202608537/|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=May 8, 2019|date=May 6, 2019}}</ref> ''[[Bluff City Law]]'' brings Smits back to TV courtrooms on a steady basis for the first time in over a quarter century since his role in ''[[L.A. Law]].''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/20/entertainment/jimmy-smitts-bluff-city-law/index.html|title=Jimmy Smits returns to the TV courtroom|first=Scott |last=Huver|website=CNN|date=September 20, 2019|access-date=2020-02-06}}</ref>


In 2021, Smits played Kevin Rosario in the musical film ''[[In the Heights (film)|In the Heights]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sanders|first1=Hosea|last2=Jordan|first2=Marsha|title=Lin Manuel Miranda's 'In The Heights' movie stars veteran actors Jimmy Smits, Olga Merediz|url=https://abc7chicago.com/in-the-heights-movie-cast-lin-manuel-miranda/10762405/|website=abc7chicago|date=June 8, 2021|access-date=June 11, 2021}}</ref>
In 2021, Smits played Kevin Rosario in the musical film ''[[In the Heights (film)|In the Heights]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sanders|first1=Hosea|last2=Jordan|first2=Marsha|title=Lin Manuel Miranda's 'In The Heights' movie stars veteran actors Jimmy Smits, Olga Merediz|url=https://abc7chicago.com/in-the-heights-movie-cast-lin-manuel-miranda/10762405/|website=abc7chicago|date=June 8, 2021|access-date=June 11, 2021}}</ref>


===Stage performances===
===Theater===
In the mid-1980s, Smits acted in numerous performances at the Hangar Theatre in [[Ithaca, New York]], Cornell's summer repertory program. In 1982 at the Hangar his roles included Max in ''Cabaret'', Paul in ''Loose Ends'', and the lead in ''Pudd'nhead Wilson''. Smits has participated in the [[Public Theater]]'s New York Shakespeare Festival, playing the role of Duke Orsino in ''[[Twelfth Night]]'' in 2002 and Benedick in ''[[Much Ado about Nothing]]'' in 2004. In 2003, Smits starred in the Broadway production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, ''[[Anna in the Tropics]]'', by Nilo Cruz, performed at the Royale Theatre. From November 2009 to February 2010, he appeared opposite [[Christine Lahti]], [[Annie Potts]], and [[Ken Stott]] in the critically lauded Broadway play ''[[God of Carnage]]'', replacing [[Jeff Daniels]]. In December 2012 through March 2013, he appeared in Chicago in ''[[The Motherfucker with the Hat]]'', at [[Steppenwolf Theatre Company]].
[[Image:JimmySmits07TIFF.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Smits at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival]]

In the mid-1980s, Smits acted in numerous performances at the Hangar Theatre in [[Ithaca, New York]], Cornell's summer repertory program. In 1982 at the Hangar his roles included Max in ''Cabaret'', Paul in ''Loose Ends'', and the lead in ''Pudd'nhead Wilson''. Smits has participated in the [[Public Theater]]'s New York Shakespeare Festival, playing the role of Duke Orsino in ''[[Twelfth Night]]'' in 2002 and Benedick in '[[Much Ado about Nothing]] in 2004. In 2003, Smits starred in the Broadway production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, ''[[Anna in the Tropics]]'', by Nilo Cruz, performed at the Royale Theatre. From November 2009 to February 2010, he appeared opposite [[Christine Lahti]], [[Annie Potts]], and [[Ken Stott]] in the critically lauded Broadway play ''[[God of Carnage]]'', replacing [[Jeff Daniels]]. In December 2012 through March 2013, he appeared in Chicago in ''[[The Motherfucker with the Hat]]'', at [[Steppenwolf Theatre Company]].

==Personal life==
Smits was married to high school sweetheart, Barbara Smits, from 1981 until 1987. They have two children, Taina (born in 1975) and Joaquin (born in 1983). Since 1986, he has been in a relationship with actress [[Wanda De Jesus]]; they live together in [[Los Angeles]].<ref name="Jimmy Smits"/>

Smits was arrested in 1987 for assaulting an officer after police answered a call for help at his home. His girlfriend De Jesus falsely identified herself as Juanita Cruz and began to attack the officers questioning her, Smits joined in and both were arrested for battery on the police officers who responded to the call.<ref>Frederick M. Muir, Los Angeles Times, [https://articles.latimes.com/1987-08-12/local/me-411_1_victor- 'L.A. Law' Star Smits Arrested in Alleged Attack on 3 Officers], August 12, 1987</ref> The charges were later dropped because of conflicting witness statements. He later pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor of disturbing the peace and was sentenced to 18 months of unsupervised probation, 50 hours of community service and a $150 fine. De Jesus pleaded guilty to misidentifying herself to a police officer and disturbing the peace. She was fined $250 and sentenced to 18 months of unsupervised probation and 75 hours of community service.<ref>Associated Press, [http://www.apnewsarchive.com/1987/-L-A-Law-Star-Jimmy-Smits-Pleads-No-Contest/id-4c48887789c482758dfcc2a41cbfd931 'L.A. Law' Star Jimmy Smits Pleads No Contest], November 25, 1987</ref>

On June 4, 2021, he was awarded the 2,696th star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]].

==Charity work and public service==

Smits helped found the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hispanicarts.org |work=HispanicArts.org|title=Mission Statement}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/hispanic-arts-gala-awards-talent-pushes-greater-numbers-n439961|title=Hispanic Arts Gala Awards Latino Talent, Pushes for Greater Numbers|publisher=NBC News|date=October 7, 2015 |access-date=April 13, 2016|first=Patricia |last=Guadalupe}}</ref> to advance the presence of Latinos in the media, telecommunications, and entertainment industries. He is also an advocate for diagnostic colorectal screening and has appeared in a public service commercial.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Colorectal Cancer {{!}} Cancer Screening and Prevention {{!}} Health & Senior Services|url=https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/chronic/cancer/colorectal-cancer.php|access-date=2021-03-02|website=health.mo.gov}}</ref> In 2010, he filmed a PSA for Detroit Non-Profit [[Cass Community Social Services]]<ref>{{Citation|title=Catch the Fireworks With Cass 10'- Jimmy Smits PSA|url=https://www.facebook.com/CassDetroit/videos/catch-the-fireworks-with-cass-10-jimmy-smits-psa/1316212706533/|language=en|access-date=2021-03-02}}</ref> and also served as the Honorary Chair of their 6th Annual "Catch the Fireworks With Cass" event.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hourdetroit.com/Hour-Detroit/Events/index.php/name/6th-Annual-Catch-The-Fireworks-With-Cass/event/7392/|title=6TH Annual Catch the Fireworks with Cass|publisher=Hour Detroit|access-date=April 13, 2016}}</ref>

Smits has also donated to several other organizations, including the [[American Red Cross|Red Cross]], [[New York Cares]], and Stand up to Cancer.


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
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|
|
|-
|-
| 1987
| rowspan="2" | 1987
| ''Hotshot''
| ''Hotshot''
| Stars Team Member
| Stars Team Member
|
|
|-
|-
| 1987
| ''[[The Believers]]''
| ''[[The Believers]]''
| Tom Lopez
| Tom Lopez
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|
|
|-
|-
| 1991
| rowspan="2" | 1991
| ''[[Switch (1991 film)|Switch]]''
| ''[[Switch (1991 film)|Switch]]''
| Walter Stone
| Walter Stone
|
|
|-
|-
| 1991
| ''[[Fires Within]]''
| ''[[Fires Within]]''
| Nestor
| Nestor
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|
|
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1995
| 1994
| ''[[The Cisco Kid (1994 film)|The Cisco Kid]]''
| ''[[My Family (1995 film)|My Family]]''
| Cisco Kid
|
|-
| 1995
| ''[[My Family (film)|My Family]]''
| Jimmy Sanchez
| Jimmy Sanchez
|
|
|-
|-
| 1995
| ''The Last Word''
| ''The Last Word''
| Actor (Martin)
| Actor (Martin)
|
|
|-
|-
| 1997
| rowspan="2" | 1997
| ''[[Murder In Mind (1997 film)|Murder in Mind]]''
| ''[[Murder In Mind (1997 film)|Murder in Mind]]''
| Peter Walker
| Peter Walker
|
|
|-
|-
| 1997
| ''Lesser Prophets''
| ''Lesser Prophets''
| Mike
| Mike
|
|
|-
|-
| 2000
| rowspan="4" | 2000
| ''[[Adventures in Wild California]]''
| ''[[Adventures in Wild California]]''
| Narrator
| Narrator
|
|
|-
|-
| 2000
| ''[[The Million Dollar Hotel]]''
| ''[[The Million Dollar Hotel]]''
| Geronimo
| Geronimo
|
|
|-
|-
| 2000
| ''[[Price of Glory]]''
| ''[[Price of Glory]]''
| Arturo Ortega
| Arturo Ortega
|
|
|-
|-
| 2000
| ''[[Bless the Child]]''
| ''[[Bless the Child]]''
| Agent John Travis
| Agent John Travis
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|-
|-
| 2016
| 2016
| ''[[Rogue One|Rogue One: A Star Wars Story]]''
| ''[[Rogue One]]''<ref>{{cite news|last1=Robinson|first1=Will|title=Rogue One: A Star Wars Story: Jimmy Smits confirms he has a cameo|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2016/08/05/rogue-one-star-wars-jimmy-smits|access-date=August 6, 2016|work=Entertainment Weekly|date=August 5, 2016}}</ref>
| Senator Bail Organa
| Senator Bail Organa
|
|
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| Episode: "In a Safe Place"
| Episode: "In a Safe Place"
|-
|-
| 1987
| rowspan="2" | 1987
| ''[[The Highwayman (TV series)|The Highwayman]]''
| ''[[The Highwayman (TV series)|The Highwayman]]''
| Bo Ziker
| Bo Ziker
| Television film
| rowspan="2" | Television film
|-
|-
| 1987
| ''Stamp of a Killer''
| ''Stamp of a Killer''
| Richard Braden
| Richard Braden
| Television film
|-
|-
| 1988
| rowspan="2" | 1988
| ''[[Mickey's 60th Birthday]]''
| ''[[Mickey's 60th Birthday]]''
| Victor Sifuentes
| Victor Sifuentes
| Television film
| Television special
|-
|-
| 1988
| ''Glitz''
| ''Glitz''
| Vincent Marra
| Vincent Marra
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| ''[[Outlaw (TV series)|Outlaw]]''
| ''[[Outlaw (TV series)|Outlaw]]''
| Cyrus Garza
| Cyrus Garza
| Main role, 8 episodes
| Main role; 8 episodes
|-
|-
| 2012–14
| 2012–14
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| 38 episodes
| 38 episodes
|-
|-
| 2016–17
| rowspan="2" | 2016–17
| ''[[The Get Down]]''
| ''[[The Get Down]]''
| Francisco "Papa Fuerte" Cruz
| Francisco "Papa Fuerte" Cruz
| 11 episodes
| 11 episodes
|-
|-
| 2016–17
| ''[[Brooklyn Nine-Nine]]''
| ''[[Brooklyn Nine-Nine]]''
| Victor Santiago
| Victor Santiago
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| ''[[Bluff City Law]]''
| ''[[Bluff City Law]]''
| Elijah Strait
| Elijah Strait
| Main role, 10 episodes
| Main role; 10 episodes<br />Also producer
|-
| 2022
| ''[[Obi-Wan Kenobi (TV series)|Obi-Wan Kenobi]]''
| Senator Bail Organa
| 3 episodes
|-
| 2022–23
| ''[[East New York (TV series)|East New York]]''
| Assistant Chief John Suarez
| Main role; 21 episodes
|}
|}


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==Awards and nominations==
==Awards and nominations==
{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Jimmy Smits}}
{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Jimmy Smits}}
[[Image:JimmySmits07TIFF.jpg|thumb|right|Smits at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival]]
Smits has received multiple nominations and awards for his work in film and television. He is the recipient of one [[Golden Globe Award]] for his role on ''[[NYPD Blue]]'' as well as one [[Primetime Emmy Award]] for ''[[L.A. Law]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/1990|title=42nd Primetime Emmy Award Nominees and Winners|publisher=[[Emmys.com]]|accessdate=July 12, 2014}}</ref> Throughout his career on television, he has garnered eleven [[Screen Actors Guild Awards]] nominations, winning once in the [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series|Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series]] in 1995 for ''[[NYPD Blue]]''. He starred on ''[[The West Wing]]'' from 2004 to 2006 and won an [[ALMA Award]] for his role. And in 2008, guest starred on ''[[Dexter (TV series)|Dexter]]'', for which he was nominated for his twelfth [[Primetime Emmy Award]] and winning a [[Saturn Award for Best Guest Starring Role on Television]].<ref name="HLifeStyle">{{cite news |title=JIMMY SMITS RECEIVES STAR ON HOLLYWOOD'S WALK OF FAME |url=https://www.hispaniclifestyle.com/articles/jimmy-smits-receives-star-on-hollywoods-walk-of-fame/ |access-date=12 July 2023 |publisher=Hispanic Lifestyle}}</ref>


In 1999, Smits received the HOLA Award for Excellence from the [[Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors]] (HOLA). He also received the Ackerman Leadership Award for his work "championing bilingual and bicultural mental health and social services for Latino families."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/jimmy-smits-accomplished-actor-tireless-latino-advocate-n499761|title=Jimmy Smits: Accomplished Actor, And Tireless Latino Advocate|work=NBC News|access-date=2018-05-01|language=en-US}}</ref> On June 4, 2021, he was awarded the 2,696th star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]].<ref name="NBCWOF">{{cite news |last1=Sesin |first1=Carmen |title=Actor Jimmy Smits gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/actor-jimmy-smits-gets-star-hollywood-walk-fame-rcna1096 |access-date=12 July 2023 |publisher=NBC |date=2 June 2021}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Association
! Category
! Nominated work
! Result
|-
| 1987
| rowspan=4| [[Primetime Emmy Awards]]
| rowspan=4| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]]
| rowspan=8| ''[[L.A. Law]]''
| {{nom}}
|-
| 1988
| {{nom}}
|-
| 1989
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=2| 1990
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Viewers for Quality Television]]
| [[Viewers for Quality Television|Best Supporting Actor in a Quality Drama Series]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=2| 1991
| [[Golden Globe Awards]]
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film|Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=3|[[Primetime Emmy Awards]]
| rowspan=2|[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| 1992
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=2| 1995
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series]]
|rowspan=3|''[[NYPD Blue]]''
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Screen Actors Guild Awards]]
| [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series|Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series]]
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan=5| 1996
| [[Golden Globe Awards]]
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama|Best Actor – Television Series Drama]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Independent Spirit Awards]]
| [[Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead|Best Male Lead]]
| ''[[My Family (film)|My Family]]''
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Primetime Emmy Awards]]
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series]]
| rowspan=16| ''NYPD Blue''
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=2| [[Screen Actors Guild Awards]]
| rowspan=2| [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=4| 1997
| [[Golden Globe Awards]]
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama|Best Actor – Television Series Drama]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Primetime Emmy Awards]]
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=2| [[Screen Actors Guild Awards]]
| [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series|Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=4| 1998
| [[Primetime Emmy Awards]]
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Satellite Awards]]
| [[Satellite Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama|Best Actor – Television Series Drama]]
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan=2| [[Screen Actors Guild Awards]]
| [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series|Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=5| 1999
| [[Golden Globe Awards]]
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama|Best Actor – Television Series Drama]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Primetime Emmy Awards]]
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Satellite Awards]]
| [[Satellite Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama|Best Actor – Television Series Drama]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=2| [[Screen Actors Guild Awards]]
| [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series|Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=2| 2006
| [[ALMA Awards]]
| [[ALMA Awards|Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series]]
| rowspan=2| ''[[The West Wing]]''
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Screen Actors Guild Awards]]
| [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series|Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=2| 2008
| [[NAACP Image Awards]]
| [[NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series]]
| ''[[Cane (TV series)|Cane]]''
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Satellite Awards]]
| [[Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film|Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film]]
| rowspan=5| ''[[Dexter (TV series)|Dexter]]''
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=4| 2009
| [[ALMA Awards]]
| [[ALMA Awards|Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Primetime Emmy Awards]]
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Saturn Awards]]
| [[Saturn Award for Best Guest Starring Role on Television|Best Guest Starring Role on Television]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Screen Actors Guild Awards]]
| [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series|Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2013
| [[Critics' Choice Television Awards]]
| [[Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series|Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series]]
| rowspan=3| ''[[Sons of Anarchy]]''
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2014
| rowspan=2| [[Satellite Awards]]
| rowspan=2| [[Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film|Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2015
| {{nom}}
|}


==Personal life==
Smits also received the Ackerman Leadership Award for his work "championing bilingual and bicultural mental health and social services for Latino families."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/jimmy-smits-accomplished-actor-tireless-latino-advocate-n499761|title=Jimmy Smits: Accomplished Actor, And Tireless Latino Advocate|work=NBC News|access-date=2018-05-01|language=en-US}}</ref>

Smits was previously married to Barbara Smits. They have two children.{{cn|date=September 2023}}

He has been in a relationship with actress [[Wanda De Jesus]] since 1986. They live together in [[Los Angeles]].<ref name="Jimmy Smits"/> In 1987, Smits pled guilty to disturbing the peace following an altercation with police at his residence where he was charged with battery and resisting arrest.<ref>Frederick M. Muir, Los Angeles Times, [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-08-12-me-411-story.html 'L.A. Law' Star Smits Arrested in Alleged Attack on 3 Officers], August 12, 1987</ref><ref>Associated Press, [https://web.archive.org/web/20221124105238/https://apnews.com/article/4c48887789c482758dfcc2a41cbfd931 'L.A. Law' Star Jimmy Smits Pleads No Contest], November 25, 1987</ref>

Smits helped found the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hispanicarts.org |work=HispanicArts.org|title=Mission Statement}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/hispanic-arts-gala-awards-talent-pushes-greater-numbers-n439961|title=Hispanic Arts Gala Awards Latino Talent, Pushes for Greater Numbers|publisher=NBC News|date=October 7, 2015 |access-date=April 13, 2016|first=Patricia |last=Guadalupe}}</ref> to advance the presence of Latinos in the media, telecommunications, and entertainment industries. He is also an advocate for diagnostic colorectal screening and has appeared in a public service commercial.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Colorectal Cancer {{!}} Cancer Screening and Prevention {{!}} Health & Senior Services|url=https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/chronic/cancer/colorectal-cancer.php|access-date=2021-03-02|website=health.mo.gov}}</ref> In 2010, he filmed a PSA for Detroit Non-Profit [[Cass Community Social Services]]<ref>{{Citation|title=Catch the Fireworks With Cass 10'- Jimmy Smits PSA|url=https://www.facebook.com/CassDetroit/videos/catch-the-fireworks-with-cass-10-jimmy-smits-psa/1316212706533/|language=en|access-date=2021-03-02}}</ref> and also served as the Honorary Chair of their 6th Annual "Catch the Fireworks With Cass" event.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hourdetroit.com/Hour-Detroit/Events/index.php/name/6th-Annual-Catch-The-Fireworks-With-Cass/event/7392/|title=6TH Annual Catch the Fireworks with Cass|publisher=Hour Detroit|access-date=April 13, 2016}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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* {{IMDb name|0001751}}
* {{Tcmdb name}}
* {{Tcmdb name}}
* {{amg name|66622}}
* {{IBDB name}}
* {{IBDB name}}
* {{iobdb name|10087}}
* {{iobdb name|10087}}
* https://web.archive.org/web/20060305025617/http://www.hispanic-today.com/smits_article.html
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060305025617/http://www.hispanic-today.com/smits_article.html hispanic-today.com]


{{Navboxes
{{Navboxes
| title = [[List of awards and nominations received by Jimmy Smits|Awards for Jimmy Smits]]
|title = [[List of awards and nominations received by Jimmy Smits|Awards for Jimmy Smits]]
| list =
|list =
{{EmmyAward DramaSupportingActor 1976-2000}}
{{EmmyAward DramaSupportingActor 1976-2000}}
{{GoldenGlobeBestActorTVDrama 1990-2009}}
{{GoldenGlobeBestActorTVDrama 1990-2009}}
{{Satellite Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama}}
{{Satellite Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama}}
{{Saturn Award for Best Guest Starring Role on Television}}
{{Saturn Award for Best Guest Starring Role on Television}}
{{ScreenActorsGuildAwards EnsembleTVDrama 1994–1999}}
}}
}}
{{ESPYs}}
{{ESPYs}}
{{Portal bar|Puerto Rico}}
{{Portal bar|Puerto Rico}}

{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Smits, Jimmy}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smits, Jimmy}}
[[Category:1955 births]]
[[Category:1955 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century American male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century American male actors]]
[[Category:American actors of Puerto Rican descent]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:American male television actors]]
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[[Category:Cornell University alumni]]
[[Category:Cornell University alumni]]
[[Category:Hispanic and Latino American male actors]]
[[Category:Hispanic and Latino American male actors]]
[[Category:Male actors from New York City]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Male actors from Brooklyn]]
[[Category:Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Primetime Emmy Award winners]]
[[Category:Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Primetime Emmy Award winners]]
[[Category:People from Brooklyn]]
[[Category:Puerto Rican people of Surinamese descent]]
[[Category:Puerto Rican people of Dutch descent]]
[[Category:Puerto Rican people of Dutch descent]]
[[Category:Puerto Rican people of Surinamese descent]]
[[Category:Thomas Jefferson High School (Brooklyn) alumni]]
[[Category:Thomas Jefferson High School (Brooklyn) alumni]]
[[Category:American Roman Catholics]]

Latest revision as of 21:25, 26 December 2024

Jimmy Smits
Smits at the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con
Born
Jimmy L. Smits

(1955-07-09) July 9, 1955 (age 69)
New York City, U.S.
Education
OccupationActor
Years active1984–present
Known for
Spouse
Barbara Smits
​
​
(m. 1981; div. 1987)​
PartnerWanda De Jesus (1986–present)
Children2

Jimmy L. Smits (born July 9, 1955) is an American actor. He is best known for playing attorney Victor Sifuentes on the 1980s–1990s legal drama L.A. Law, NYPD Detective Bobby Simone on the 1990s–2000s police drama NYPD Blue, and Matt Santos on the political drama The West Wing. He appeared in Switch (1991), My Family (1995), The Jane Austen Book Club (2007), and In the Heights (2021). He also appeared as Bail Organa in the Star Wars franchise and as ADA Miguel Prado in Dexter. From 2012 to 2014, he was a member of the main cast of Sons of Anarchy, in the role of Nero Padilla. Smits also portrayed Elijah Strait in the NBC drama series Bluff City Law.

Early life and education

[edit]

Smits was born in Brooklyn, New York. Smits's father, Cornelis Leendert Smits (1929–2015), was from Paramaribo, Suriname, and was of Dutch descent.[1][2][3] Smits's mother, Emilina (née Pola; 1930–2015), was Puerto Rican, born in Peñuelas.[4][5] He and his two sisters, Yvonne and Diana, grew up in a working-class neighborhood.[6][7] When he was ten years old, he moved to Puerto Rico for a couple of years. Until then he did not speak Spanish. He described attending a Spanish-only school as "jarring" and "traumatic."[8]

Smits was raised in a strict, devout Roman Catholic family. He identifies as Puerto Rican[6][7][9] and frequently visits Puerto Rico.

Smits was an athlete in his youth. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School and earned a bachelor's degree from Brooklyn College in 1980 and an MFA from Cornell University in 1982.[10]

Career

[edit]

Film and television

[edit]
Smits at the 39th Annual Emmy Awards in 1987

One of Smits's early roles was playing Sonny Crockett's original partner on the first episode of Miami Vice in 1984. In the first five minutes of the episode he falls victim to a car bomb.

Beginning in 1986, Smits played Victor Sifuentes in the first five seasons of the NBC television Steven Bochco legal drama L.A. Law,[11] for which he was nominated for six Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, winning in 1990.[12]

Also in 1986, Smits made his feature film debut as drug dealer Julio Gonzalez in the comedy/action cop film Running Scared starring Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines. In 1989, Smits had a leading role in the romantic adventure Old Gringo as Jane Fonda's love interest.

Additionally, Smits played a repairman on Pee-wee's Playhouse, and he starred in the multigenerational story of a Chicano family in the film My Family (1995), alongside Edward James Olmos and Jennifer Lopez.

One of Smits's most acclaimed roles was that of Detective Bobby Simone on the ABC television program NYPD Blue, in which he starred from 1994 to 1998. He received several Emmy nominations for his performance on the series and was reunited with his former co-star Dennis Franz at the 2016 Emmy Awards presentation. He won the ALMA award twice.

Smits in 2000

Smits was scheduled to host the 2001 Latin Grammy Awards broadcast on September 11, 2001. It was canceled due to continuous news coverage and out of respect for the victims of the terrorist attacks earlier that day. He did host a non-televised press conference to announce the winners.

Smits appeared as Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002) and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005), in which the character becomes Princess Leia's adoptive father. He reappeared as Bail Organa in the game Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (2008) and the spinoff movie Rogue One (2016). He later reprised the role for Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022).

Smits played the role of Congressman Matt Santos of Houston, Texas, in the final two seasons of the NBC television drama The West Wing,[13] joining fellow L.A. Law alumnus John Spencer. His character eventually ran for and won the U.S. presidency.

In Dexter season 3, Smits played the role of Miguel Prado, an assistant district attorney who befriends the title character.[14] Smits was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for the role.

Additionally, Smits portrayed the character Alex Vega in the CBS TV series Cane, which aired from September 25, 2007, to December 18, 2007, and was subsequently canceled by the network due to the 2007 Screen Writer's Guild strike.

Smits joined the Sons of Anarchy cast in season 5 as Nero Padilla, a high-level pimp who refers to himself as a "companionator". He builds a relationship with Gemma Teller Morrow (Katey Sagal) and forms an alliance and mentorship with Gemma's son, the central character Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam).[15]

Smits starred in The Get Down, a musical drama television series which debuted in 2016 on Netflix.[16]

On February 25, 2019, news outlets reported that Smits was cast as Elijah Strait in NBC drama series Bluff City Law[17] and it was picked up to series on May 6, 2019.[18] Bluff City Law brings Smits back to TV courtrooms on a steady basis for the first time in over a quarter century since his role in L.A. Law.[19]

In 2021, Smits played Kevin Rosario in the musical film In the Heights.[20]

Theater

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In the mid-1980s, Smits acted in numerous performances at the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, New York, Cornell's summer repertory program. In 1982 at the Hangar his roles included Max in Cabaret, Paul in Loose Ends, and the lead in Pudd'nhead Wilson. Smits has participated in the Public Theater's New York Shakespeare Festival, playing the role of Duke Orsino in Twelfth Night in 2002 and Benedick in Much Ado about Nothing in 2004. In 2003, Smits starred in the Broadway production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Anna in the Tropics, by Nilo Cruz, performed at the Royale Theatre. From November 2009 to February 2010, he appeared opposite Christine Lahti, Annie Potts, and Ken Stott in the critically lauded Broadway play God of Carnage, replacing Jeff Daniels. In December 2012 through March 2013, he appeared in Chicago in The Motherfucker with the Hat, at Steppenwolf Theatre Company.

Filmography

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Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1986 Running Scared Julio Gonzales
1987 Hotshot Stars Team Member
The Believers Tom Lopez
1989 Old Gringo Gen. Tomas Arroyo
1990 Vital Signs Dr. David Redding
1991 Switch Walter Stone
Fires Within Nestor
1993 Gross Misconduct Justin Thorne
1995 My Family Jimmy Sanchez
The Last Word Actor (Martin)
1997 Murder in Mind Peter Walker
Lesser Prophets Mike
2000 Adventures in Wild California Narrator
The Million Dollar Hotel Geronimo
Price of Glory Arturo Ortega
Bless the Child Agent John Travis
2002 Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones Senator Bail Organa
2005 Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith
2007 The Jane Austen Book Club Daniel Avila
2009 Backyard Mickey Santos Also known as El Traspatio
2010 Mother and Child Paco
2016 Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Senator Bail Organa
2017 Who We Are Now Carl
2020 The Tax Collector Wizard
2021 In the Heights Kevin Rosario

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1984 Miami Vice Eddie Rivera Episode: "Brother's Keeper"
1986 Rockabye 2nd Policeman Television film
1986–92 L.A. Law Victor Sifuentes Main role; 105 episodes
1986 Spenser: For Hire Hector Valdes Episode: "In a Safe Place"
1987 The Highwayman Bo Ziker Television film
Stamp of a Killer Richard Braden
1988 Mickey's 60th Birthday Victor Sifuentes Television special
Glitz Vincent Marra Television film
1989 Pee-wee's Playhouse Johnny Wilson Episode: "Conky's Breakdown"
1990 Cop Rock Victor Sifuentes (uncredited) Episode: "Potts Don't Fail Me Now"
1992 The Broken Cord David Norwell Television film
1993 The Tommyknockers Jim 'Gard' Gardner 2 episodes
1994 The Cisco Kid Cisco Kid Television film
1994–98, 2004 NYPD Blue Detective Bobby Simone Main role; 90 episodes
1995 Solomon & Sheba King Solomon Television film
1995–97 Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child Prince Felipe, Old King Cole Voice; 2 episodes
1996 Marshal Law Jack Coleman Television film
2004–06 The West Wing Matt Santos Main role; 35 episodes
2005 Lackawanna Blues Ruben Santiago, Sr. Television film
2007 Cane Alex Vega 13 episodes
2008 Dexter Miguel Prado 12 episodes
2010 Outlaw Cyrus Garza Main role; 8 episodes
2012–14 Sons of Anarchy Neron 'Nero' Padilla 38 episodes
2016–17 The Get Down Francisco "Papa Fuerte" Cruz 11 episodes
Brooklyn Nine-Nine Victor Santiago 2 episodes
2017 24: Legacy John Donovan 12 episodes
2017–18 How to Get Away with Murder Dr. Isaac Roa 13 episodes
2018 America's Untold Story Narrator Television film
2019 Bluff City Law Elijah Strait Main role; 10 episodes
Also producer
2022 Obi-Wan Kenobi Senator Bail Organa 3 episodes
2022–23 East New York Assistant Chief John Suarez Main role; 21 episodes

Video games

[edit]
Year Title Voice role Notes
2008 Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Senator Bail Organa
2016 Gears of War 4 Oscar Diaz

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Jimmy Smits
Smits at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival

Smits has received multiple nominations and awards for his work in film and television. He is the recipient of one Golden Globe Award for his role on NYPD Blue as well as one Primetime Emmy Award for L.A. Law.[21] Throughout his career on television, he has garnered eleven Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations, winning once in the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 1995 for NYPD Blue. He starred on The West Wing from 2004 to 2006 and won an ALMA Award for his role. And in 2008, guest starred on Dexter, for which he was nominated for his twelfth Primetime Emmy Award and winning a Saturn Award for Best Guest Starring Role on Television.[22]

In 1999, Smits received the HOLA Award for Excellence from the Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA). He also received the Ackerman Leadership Award for his work "championing bilingual and bicultural mental health and social services for Latino families."[23] On June 4, 2021, he was awarded the 2,696th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.[24]

Personal life

[edit]

Smits was previously married to Barbara Smits. They have two children.[citation needed]

He has been in a relationship with actress Wanda De Jesus since 1986. They live together in Los Angeles.[10] In 1987, Smits pled guilty to disturbing the peace following an altercation with police at his residence where he was charged with battery and resisting arrest.[25][26]

Smits helped found the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts[27][28] to advance the presence of Latinos in the media, telecommunications, and entertainment industries. He is also an advocate for diagnostic colorectal screening and has appeared in a public service commercial.[29] In 2010, he filmed a PSA for Detroit Non-Profit Cass Community Social Services[30] and also served as the Honorary Chair of their 6th Annual "Catch the Fireworks With Cass" event.[31]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "In Step With: Jimmy Smits". Parade Magazine. January 2, 2005. Archived from the original on January 17, 2006.
  2. ^ "Obituary of Cornelis Smits". Marine Park Funeral Home. 2015. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  3. ^ Smith, Warren Allen (2011). In the Heart of Showbiz: A Biographical Triography of Variety Recording ... - Warren Allen Smith - Google Books. Lulu.com. ISBN 9781257042524. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  4. ^ Taking Charge Through Education, by Jimmy Smits Archived November 29, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ "Obituary of Emelina Pola Smits". Marine Park Funeral Home. 2015. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  6. ^ a b Jimmy Smits – Redbook Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ a b "Education, Learning and Research Resources Online - Gale". www.gale.com. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  8. ^ Parsi, Novid (December 26, 2012). "Jimmy Smits Interview". Time Out Chicago. Time Out Group. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  9. ^ Hernandez, Lee (July 9, 2010). "EXCLUSIVE: Jimmy Smits on Playing Outlaws: "There Might Be An Ethnicity Thing to It"". Latina. Archived from the original on October 26, 2010. Retrieved July 1, 2010.
  10. ^ a b "Jimmy Smits". Biography.com. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  11. ^ McKENNA, KRISTINE (August 7, 1987). "Jimmy Smits: A Latino Look And Class Act On 'L.a. Law'". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
  12. ^ "Jimmy Smits".
  13. ^ "The Jimmy Smits interview". POLITICO. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
  14. ^ "Jimmy Smits Joins Dexter. Couldn't You Just Die?". TV Guide. June 5, 2008. Archived from the original on August 30, 2008.
  15. ^ Bill Keveney (October 1, 2012). "On 'Sons of Anarchy,' new faces and new fears". USA Today. Retrieved October 23, 2012.
  16. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (August 11, 2015). "Baz Luhrmann's Netflix Series 'The Get Down' To Take Production Hiatus". Deadline. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  17. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 25, 2019). "Jimmy Smits To Star In NBC Legal Drama Pilot 'Bluff City Law'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  18. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 6, 2019). "Drama 'Bluff City Law' Starring Jimmy Smits & Kal Penn Comedy 'Sunnyside' Picked Up To Series By NBC". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  19. ^ Huver, Scott (September 20, 2019). "Jimmy Smits returns to the TV courtroom". CNN. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  20. ^ Sanders, Hosea; Jordan, Marsha (June 8, 2021). "Lin Manuel Miranda's 'In The Heights' movie stars veteran actors Jimmy Smits, Olga Merediz". abc7chicago. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  21. ^ "42nd Primetime Emmy Award Nominees and Winners". Emmys.com. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  22. ^ "JIMMY SMITS RECEIVES STAR ON HOLLYWOOD'S WALK OF FAME". Hispanic Lifestyle. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  23. ^ "Jimmy Smits: Accomplished Actor, And Tireless Latino Advocate". NBC News. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  24. ^ Sesin, Carmen (June 2, 2021). "Actor Jimmy Smits gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame". NBC. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  25. ^ Frederick M. Muir, Los Angeles Times, 'L.A. Law' Star Smits Arrested in Alleged Attack on 3 Officers, August 12, 1987
  26. ^ Associated Press, 'L.A. Law' Star Jimmy Smits Pleads No Contest, November 25, 1987
  27. ^ "Mission Statement". HispanicArts.org.
  28. ^ Guadalupe, Patricia (October 7, 2015). "Hispanic Arts Gala Awards Latino Talent, Pushes for Greater Numbers". NBC News. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
  29. ^ "Colorectal Cancer | Cancer Screening and Prevention | Health & Senior Services". health.mo.gov. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  30. ^ Catch the Fireworks With Cass 10'- Jimmy Smits PSA, retrieved March 2, 2021
  31. ^ "6TH Annual Catch the Fireworks with Cass". Hour Detroit. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
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