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
Predator 2 (1990)
as Danny Archuleta
The Counselor (2013)
as Jefe
Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003)
as Jorge, Retired FBI Agent
Safe House (2012)
as Carlos Villar
Color of Night (1994)
as Hector
The Devil's Own (1997)
as Edwin Diaz
Hands of Stone (2016)
as Carlos Eleta
All the Pretty Horses (2000)
as Rocha
The Two Jakes (1990)
as Mickey Nice
Armadillo United (—)
as Coach Yepez
Imagining Argentina (2003)
as Silvio Ayala
Outlaws - For Greater Glory (2012)
as Président Calles
El accidente feliz (2020)
as Self (Archive Footage)
Life with Mikey (1993)
as Angie's Dad (uncredited)
The Last Fight (1983)
as Andy "Kid" Clave
Mo' Better Blues (1990)
as Petey
Cradle Will Rock (1999)
as Diego Rivera
The Milagro Beanfield War (1988)
as Sheriff Bernabe Montoya
Campeón Gabacho (2026)
Actor
Bajañí (—)
as Self
The Super (1991)
as Marlon
Disorganized Crime (1989)
as Carlos Barrios
Critical Condition (1987)
as Louis
Chinese Box (1997)
as Jim
Assassination Tango (2003)
as Miguel
Scorpion Spring (1996)
as Border Patrolman Sam Zaragosa
Fatal Beauty (1987)
as Carl Jimenez
Homeboy (1988)
as Doctor
Raúl Juliá: The World’s a Stage (2019)
as Self
Miracle on Interstate 880 (1993)
as Pastor Beruman
The Josephine Baker Story (1991)
as Count Giuseppe Pepito Abatino
Spin (2003)
as Ernesto
Pa'l Pueblo: Fania for the People (—)
as Self
Dead Man Out (1989)
as Ben
The Lemon Sisters (1989)
as C.W.
John Leguizamo's Latin History for Morons (2018)
as Self
The Maldonado Miracle (2003)
as Cruz
One Man’s War (1991)
as Perrone
Red Pill (2021)
as Rocky
A Million to Juan (1994)
as Bartender
Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple (2024)
as Self
Crazy From the Heart (1991)
as Ernesto Ontiveros
Rubén Blades: un Rey de la salsa (1982)
as Self
Salsa Lives (2025)
as Ruben Blades
The Heart of the Deal (1990)
Actor
The Making of Sun City (1985)
as Self
Secuestro Express (2004)
as Carla's Father
Nueva York: A Musical History of Latin New York (2021)
as Self (archive footage)
Somos un solo pueblo (1995)
as Self
A Roll of the Dice: The Capeman on Broadway (1998)
Actor
Spoken Word (2009)
as Cruz-Sr.
Lo mejor de nuestra música popular: 15 años de éxitos (2007)
as Self
Stay Homas. The Band That Shouldn’t Exist (2024)
as Self - Singer
Las caras lindas de Tite Curet (2002)
as Self
The Next Season (2011)
as Benito
En mi país (2004)
as Self
Crossover Dreams (1985)
as Rudy Veloz
Yo soy la salsa (2014)
Actor
The Hunters and the Hunted: The Making of 'Predator 2' (2005)
as Self (archive footage)
Ruben Blades Is Not My Name (2018)
as Self
Rubén Blades: Todos Vuelven Live, Vol. 2 (2011)
Actor
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades - Live In Venezuela (1998)
as Rubén Blades
¡Sonó, Sonó… Tite Curet! (2011)
Actor
From Son to Salsa (1997)
Actor
Al compás de un sentimiento: la música de Pedro Flores (1996)
Actor
The Return of Rubén Blades (1985)
as himself
Encuentro (2002)
Actor
La clave (2008)
Actor
Invasion (2014)
as Self
Beats of the Heart: Salsa (1979)
as Self
Rabbit Ears - Joseph and His Brothers (1991)
as Narrator (voice)
Rubén Blades: Todos Vuelven Live, Vol. 1 (2011)
Actor