Damian Chapa was born on October 29, 1963 in Dayton, Ohio, USA as Damian Robert Chapa. He is an actor and director, known for Blood In, Blood Out (1993), El padrino (2004) and Street Fighter (1994). He was previously married to Ciara O'Brien and Natasha Henstridge.
Blood In Blood Out, El Padrino, Street Fighter, Under Siege, Mexican Gangster, Chicano Blood, U.S. Seals 2, Brando Unauthorized, Polanski Unauthorized, Bad Cop, Money Talks, Hitman's Run, Bobby Fischer Live, Sometimes They Come Back... for More, Father Rupert Mayer, Death of Evil, Bad Karma, Saints ...
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I would melt an Academy award and give it to the poor
Is godfather to his sister 'Cita Chapa's son Vittorio Chapa.
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Four films in which he had starring roles (Blood In, Blood Out (1993), Under Siege (1992), Street Fighter (1994) and Money Talks (1997)) have earned a combined gross of a quarter billion dollars at the worldwide box office.
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He and Leonardo DiCaprio were both in the running to do competing James Dean biopics in 1995. The James Dean Foundation, who held rights for the project, endorsed Chapa over DiCaprio. The project came to a screeching halt, however, when all its producers were murdered at a street light in Culver City, California, as outlined in the book Once Upon a Time in Hollywood by Rod Lurie.
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Was coached by master dialector Robert Easton at one time.
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Attended the 18th Street theater in New York for many years.
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Has achieved worldwide notoriety and legions of fans, particularly within the Latino community, for his portrayal of Miklo Velka in the cult film Blood In, Blood Out (1993), which has gone on to become the highest grossing Latin film in history.
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Is of Irish, Mexican and Italian and Native American descent.
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Won the Anthony Quinn Award for Acting at the 11th Annual East L.A. Chicano/a Film Festival [2005].
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His manager is Chuck Binder whose long time clients have included Sharon Stone and the late David Carradine.
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Had a serious alcohol and substance abuse problem during his 20's. One day he decided enough was enough and built up the courage and strength to seek help through meetings. He has since been successfully sober for over 25 years.
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Sold siding as a teenager. And ran a go-go joint at 17 years old for his Uncle Johnny. His uncle was shot several times and was considered a "gangster". Chapa's other uncle Enrique was a "hired hit man in Texas".
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Independent filmmaker (2000-present).
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Received the keys to Corpus Christi, TX in an illustrious ceremony directed by the city's mayor.
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His father Rico Chapa owned a bar across the street from Hustler Magazine publishing tycoon Larry Flynt's first go-go joint in Columbus, OH. They knew each other.
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Famed French director/producer Luc Besson gave him the lead role in a movie called "Sword of Light" where he was to play a matador, however the project fell through due to funding.
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Was involved in a motorcycle accident that nearly killed him while shooting a scene for his film Brando Unauthorized (2011). He suffered injuries including a broken hand and facial bruising. As a result the production was temporarily delayed, however after eight hours he got back on his feet and resumed filming. A clip of the accident can be seen during the acid trip scene in the film.
Gave his son Presley Chapa the middle name "Scorsese" after his favorite film director Martin Scorsese.
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Won Best Director and Best Feature awards at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival (NYIIFVF) for his film Brando Unauthorized (2011).
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Grew up with two brothers and two sisters. He is the second eldest of five children.
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His eldest brother Rico died of cancer at the age of 30. He opened a production company named Rico Films in his memory, later changing the name to Amadeus Pictures.
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Served in the U.S. Navy for three years traveling the world on three different ships.
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Is fluent in Spanish and can speak moderately in Italian and German.
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First acting job was in New York as a stand-in for Madonna's "Papa Don't Preach" music video.