Rubén Blades
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Rubén Blades Bellido de Luna (born July 16, 1948) is a Panamanian salsa singer, songwriter, lawyer, actor, Latin jazz musician, and politician, performing musically most often in the Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz genres. As songwriter, Blades brought the lyrical sophistication of Central American nueva canción and Cuban nueva trova as well as experimental tempos and political inspired Nuyorican salsa to his music, creating thinking persons' (salsa) dance music. Blades has composed dozens of musical hits, the most famous of which is "Pedro Navaja," a song about a neighborhood thug who appears to die during a robbery (his song "Sorpresas" continues the story), inspired by "Mack the Knife." He also composed and sings what many Panamanians consider their second national anthem. The song is titled "Patria" (Fatherland). He is an icon in Panama and is much admired throughout Latin America, and managed to attract 18% of the vote in his failed attempt to win the Panamanian presidency in 1994. In September 2004, he was appointed minister of tourism by Panamanian president Martín Torrijos for a five-year term. He holds a law degree from the University of Panama and a master's in international law from Harvard University. He is married to singer Luba Mason. Description above from the Wikipedia article Rubén Blades, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Known for
Credits
The Counselor (2013)
as Jefe
The Devil's Own (1997)
as Edwin Diaz
Safe House (2012)
as Carlos Villar
Predator 2 (1990)
as Danny Archuleta
Campeón Gabacho (2026)
Actor
Imagining Argentina (2003)
as Silvio Ayala
Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003)
as Jorge, Retired FBI Agent
Color of Night (1994)
as Hector
Critical Condition (1987)
as Louis
Outlaws - For Greater Glory (2012)
as Président Calles
All the Pretty Horses (2000)
as Rocha
Scorpion Spring (1996)
as Border Patrolman Sam Zaragosa
Hands of Stone (2016)
as Carlos Eleta
Bajañí (2026)
as Self
Red Pill (2021)
as Rocky
El accidente feliz (2020)
as Self (Archive Footage)
Armadillo United (—)
as Coach Yepez
Pa'l Pueblo: Fania for the People (—)
as Self
Cradle Will Rock (1999)
as Diego Rivera
The Two Jakes (1990)
as Mickey Nice
Fatal Beauty (1987)
as Carl Jimenez
Chinese Box (1997)
as Jim
A Song for My Land (2026)
as Self
Crazy From the Heart (1991)
as Ernesto Ontiveros
Las caras lindas de Tite Curet (2002)
as Self
The Super (1991)
as Marlon
Mo' Better Blues (1990)
as Petey
Rubén Blades: un Rey de la salsa (1982)
as Self
The Milagro Beanfield War (1988)
as Sheriff Bernabe Montoya
Life with Mikey (1993)
as Angie's Dad (uncredited)
Assassination Tango (2003)
as Miguel
Disorganized Crime (1989)
as Carlos Barrios
The Next Season (2011)
as Benito
Raúl Juliá: The World’s a Stage (2019)
as Self
Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple (2024)
as Self
Homeboy (1988)
as Doctor
A Million to Juan (1994)
as Bartender
One Man’s War (1991)
as Perrone
The Josephine Baker Story (1991)
as Count Giuseppe Pepito Abatino
Miracle on Interstate 880 (1993)
as Pastor Beruman
John Leguizamo's Latin History for Morons (2018)
as Self
Ruben Blades Is Not My Name (2018)
as Self
Nueva York: A Musical History of Latin New York (2021)
as Self (archive footage)
The Hunters and the Hunted: The Making of 'Predator 2' (2005)
as Self (archive footage)
The Lemon Sisters (1989)
as C.W.
Stay Homas. The Band That Shouldn’t Exist (2024)
as Self - Singer
Spin (2003)
as Ernesto
Spoken Word (2009)
as Cruz-Sr.
The Making of Sun City (1985)
as Self
The Heart of the Deal (1990)
Actor
Secuestro Express (2004)
as Carla's Father
Somos un solo pueblo (1995)
as Self
Salsa Lives (2025)
as Ruben Blades
Dead Man Out (1989)
as Ben
The Last Fight (1983)
as Andy "Kid" Clave
The Maldonado Miracle (2003)
as Cruz
Yo soy la salsa (2014)
Actor
Al compás de un sentimiento: la música de Pedro Flores (1996)
Actor
Porto Rico (—)
Actor
A Roll of the Dice: The Capeman on Broadway (1998)
Actor
Lo mejor de nuestra música popular: 15 años de éxitos (2007)
as Self
Beats of the Heart: Salsa (1979)
as Self
From Son to Salsa (1997)
Actor
¡Sonó, Sonó… Tite Curet! (2011)
Actor
The Return of Rubén Blades (1985)
as himself
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades - Live In Venezuela (1998)
as Rubén Blades
Crossover Dreams (1985)
as Rudy Veloz
En mi país (2004)
as Self
Rubén Blades: Todos Vuelven Live, Vol. 1 (2011)
Actor
Encuentro (2002)
Actor
Invasion (2014)
as Self
Rabbit Ears - Joseph and His Brothers (1991)
as Narrator (voice)
La clave (2008)
Actor
Rubén Blades: Todos Vuelven Live, Vol. 2 (2011)
Actor