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Gregory Sierra
Actor

Gregory Sierra

25 Jan 1937Born
4 Jan 2021Died
83Age at death
111Credits

Biography

Gregory Sierra (January 25, 1937 – January 4, 2021) was a distinguished American actor, celebrated for his versatility and powerful presence on both television and film. Born on January 25, 1937, in New York City's Spanish Harlem, Sierra was of Puerto Rican descent and faced a challenging upbringing after being abandoned by his parents and raised by an aunt. Despite his early hardships, he found a path to acting after impressing at an impromptu audition for an acting school in Manhattan. Sierra's career began on stage, notably with the National Shakespeare Company and performances at the New York Shakespeare Festival.

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He transitioned to television in the late 1960s and quickly became a familiar face, first gaining major attention as Julio Fuentes, the memorable Puerto Rican neighbor on Sanford and Son, and then as Detective Sergeant Chano Amengual on Barney Miller—two roles that remain among his most enduring contributions to classic TV. Sierra's roster of work included appearances on The Flying Nun, Soap, Miami Vice, Hill Street Blues, Zorro and Son, and scores of guest roles on popular series such as All in the Family, The X-Files, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. His film credits span genres and decades, featuring roles in Beneath the Planet of the Apes, Papillon, The Towering Inferno, and Deep Cover. Gregory Sierra was admired for bringing depth, nuance, and authenticity to every character he portrayed, endearing him to fans and earning the respect of peers. He passed away on January 4, 2021, in Laguna Woods, California, leaving behind a rich legacy in entertainment that spanned nearly fifty years.

Known for

Filmography

The 80 most recent of 111 credits.

  1. 2018The Other Side of the WindFilm: Jack Simon
  2. 1998VampiresFilm: Father Giovanni
  3. 1998Jane Austen's Mafia!Film: Bonifacio
  4. 1998Johnny 316Film: Kareem
  5. 1998The Wonderful Ice Cream SuitFilm: Villanazul
  6. 1997Beyond Belief: Fact or FictionSeries: Lyle Norman (segment "Rock & Roll Ears") (1 episode)
  7. 1996Common LawSeries: Luis Alvarez (10 episodes)
  8. 1994A Low Down Dirty ShameFilm: Captain Nunez
  9. 1994704 HauserSeries (1 episode)
  10. 1994EllenSeries: General Colon (1 episode)
  11. 1993The X-FilesSeries: Dr. Diamond (1 episode)
  12. 1993TheaSeries: Mr. Guiterrez (1 episode)
  13. 1993Hot Shots! Part DeuxFilm: The Captain
  14. 1993Hearts of Hot Shots! Part Deux—A Filmmaker's ApologyFilm
  15. 1993Walker, Texas RangerSeries: Rafael Mendoza (2 episodes)
  16. 1993Star Trek: Deep Space NineSeries: Entek (1 episode)
  17. 1993Dr. Quinn, Medicine WomanSeries: Gen. Eli Parker (2 episodes)
  18. 1992The Golden PalaceSeries: Rubin (1 episode)
  19. 1992Honey, I Blew Up the KidFilm: Terence Wheeler
  20. 1992Deep CoverFilm: Felix Barbosa
  21. 1991FBI: The Untold StoriesSeries: Jimmy Chagra (1 episode)
  22. 1991P.S. I Luv USeries (1 episode)
  23. 1990DonorFilm: Hector Aliosa
  24. 1990Shades of L.A.Series (1 episode)
  25. 1990The Fresh Prince of Bel-AirSeries: Hector (1 episode)
  26. 1990Unspeakable ActsFilm: Frank Fuster
  27. 1989Desperado: Badlands JusticeFilm: Jesus Gutierrez
  28. 1988Where the Hell's That Gold?!!?Film: General
  29. 1988Something Is Out ThereSeries: Victor Maldonado (8 episodes)
  30. 1988Something Is Out ThereSeries: Victor Maldonado (2 episodes)
  31. 1987The Trouble with SpiesFilm: Capt. Sanchez
  32. 1987Her Secret LifeFilm: Vic 'The Dancer' Pena
  33. 1986Let's Get HarryFilm: Alphonso
  34. 1986Blacke's MagicSeries (1 episode)
  35. 1985MacGyverSeries: Colonel Antunnez, Captain Diaz, General Antonio Vasquez (1 episode)
  36. 1985Growing PainsSeries: Dr. Paul Ramirez (1 episode)
  37. 1985Command 5Film: Delgado
  38. 1985StingrayFilm: Anthony 'Tony' Mendosa
  39. 1985The Ray Bradbury TheaterSeries (1 episode)
  40. 1984Murder, She WroteSeries: Sanchez, Ramon, Moreno, Lieutenant Gabriel Caceras (1 episode)
  41. 1984Cover UpSeries (1 episode)
  42. 1984HunterSeries: Michael Elandro (1 episode)
  43. 1984Miami Vice: Brother's KeeperFilm: Lt. Lou Rodriguez
  44. 1984Miami ViceSeries: Lt. Lou Rodriguez (4 episodes)
  45. 1984AirwolfSeries: Frank Ochoa (1 episode)
  46. 1984Blue ThunderSeries: Luis Creighton Acuna (1 episode)
  47. 1983MasqueradeSeries: Omani (1 episode)
  48. 1983The Gambler: The Adventure ContinuesFilm: Silvera
  49. 1983The Gambler: The Adventure ContinuesSeries: Silvera (2 episodes)
  50. 1983Zorro and SonSeries: Commandante Paco Pic (5 episodes)
  51. 1983Uncommon ValorFilm: George Callender
  52. 1982Farrell: For the PeopleFilm: Det. Mike Rodriguez
  53. 1982Cagney & LaceySeries: Eddie 'Cleanhead' Stutz (2 episodes)
  54. 1982Cassie & Co.Series (1 episode)
  55. 1981Falcon CrestSeries: FBI-Agent Taylor (1 episode)
  56. 1981Simon & SimonSeries: Gregory Cable, Raul Gutierrez (1 episode)
  57. 1981The Greatest American HeroSeries: Sheriff Mark Vargas (1 episode)
  58. 1981Hill Street BluesSeries: ADA Alvarez, ADA Alvarez (archive footage) (uncredited) (4 episodes)
  59. 1981300 Miles for StephanieFilm: Dr. Galfas
  60. 1980Magnum, P.I.Series: Miguel Torres (1 episode)
  61. 1980The Night the Bridge Fell DownFilm: Diego Ramirez
  62. 1979Hart to HartSeries: Eduardo, Howard Castle (1 episode)
  63. 1979The Prisoner of ZendaFilm: Count Montparnasse
  64. 1978Evening in ByzantiumSeries: Fabricio (2 episodes)
  65. 1978A.E.S. Hudson StreetSeries (6 episodes)
  66. 1978Mean Dog BluesFilm: Jesus Gonzalez
  67. 1977The Night They Took Miss BeautifulFilm: Omar Welk
  68. 1977Lou GrantSeries: Hector (1 episode)
  69. 1977HunterSeries (2 episodes)
  70. 1976Quincy, M.E.Series: Rick Durado (1 episode)
  71. 1975Antonio and the MayorFilm: Mayor Acambarros
  72. 1975Barney MillerSeries: Miguel Amenguale (35 episodes)
  73. 1974The Towering InfernoFilm: Carlos
  74. 1974PetrocelliSeries: Rudolph Chavez (1 episode)
  75. 1974The Castaway CowboyFilm: Marruja
  76. 1974Honky TonkFilm: Slade
  77. 1974Goodnight JackieFilm: Paul
  78. 1973The Laughing PolicemanFilm: Vickery
  79. 1973PapillonFilm: Antonio
  80. 1973The ClonesFilm: Nemo

Biography and credits from TMDB. This website uses TMDB and the TMDB APIs but is not endorsed, certified, or otherwise approved by TMDB.