Sal Lopez
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Sal Lopez (also Sal López) is a Mexican-American actor and producer, born on November 8, 1954, in Mexico. He grew up in a bilingual home in South Central Los Angeles, the second of eight boys born to immigrant parents. He is a founding member of The Latino Theater Company, where he has co-created theater for over 38 years, and a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He is married to Urbanie Lucero and has two children, residing in Silver Lake, Los Angeles. Lopez started his career after landing a key role in the hit play Zoot Suit (1982), which led to an open call by Stanley Kubrick for Full Metal Jacket (1987), in which he played T.H.E. Rock. Other notable film credits include American Me (1992, as Edward James Olmos's father), Selena (1997), Silver City (2004, directed by John Sayles), The Astronaut Farmer (2007, with Billy Bob Thornton), Logan (2017), Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), and F1 (2025). His television credits span Nip/Tuck, CSI, ER, NYPD Blue, Melrose Place, The Shield, Westworld, and Queen of the South. On stage, Lopez has performed in numerous productions with The Latino Theater Company, including one-man shows like This Is A Man's World, Premeditation, and August 29th, and the lead in La Virgen Dios Inantzin, performed annually at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. He has received an ALMA Award for Outstanding Individual Performance and a DramaLogue Award, and produced and starred in the independent film Luminarias (1999).
Known for
Credits
F1 (2025)
as Baja Old Timer
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
as Yucatan Elder
The Rip (2026)
as Mr. Zeltzin
Full Metal Jacket (1987)
as T.H.E. Rock
Cold Heaven (1992)
as Young Doctor
Return of the Living Dead III (1993)
as Felipe
Mr. Jones (1993)
as Henry
The Hyperions (2022)
as Delano
Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (2003)
as Additional Voices (voice)
Paparazzi (2004)
as Mexican Man
Beverly Hills Chihuahua (2008)
as Ring Announcer
Selena (1997)
as Juan Luis
Velvet Buzzsaw (2019)
as Roadside Vendor
Luminarias (2000)
Actor
The Banger Sisters (2002)
as Pump Attendant
American Me (1992)
as Pedro Santana
Kubrick's War: The Making of Full Metal Jacket (—)
as Self - T.H.E. Rock, Full Metal Jacket
The Astronaut Farmer (2007)
as Pepe Garcia
You Know I Love You (2026)
as Abuelo
The End of Violence (1997)
as Tito
El Diablo (1990)
as Sentry
The Glitter Dome (1984)
as Chuey Verdugio
Born in East L.A. (1987)
as What's Happening Boy
There Goes My Baby (1994)
as Chicano
Out to Sea (1997)
as Mexican Dancer
Corridos! Tales of Passion and Revolution (1987)
as Juan, el Diablo
El padrino: The Latin Godfather (2004)
as Loco
El Chicano (2019)
as El Gallo
The Devil Has a Name (2019)
as Farmhand 1
Zoot Suit (1981)
as Hobo
Centurion: The Dancing Stallion (2023)
as Jorge Rodriquez
Hammerlock (2002)
as Ward Clemson
Blue Tiger (1994)
as Luis
Midnight Madness (1980)
as Blade - Blue Team
The Old Ways (2021)
as Javi
Atropia (2025)
as Jerry Jiminez
Silver City (2004)
as Tony Guerra
Chalino (2019)
as Don Chente
Roses on the Vine (2025)
as Mr. Rodriguez
Get Out of My Room (1985)
as Illegal Alien (segment 'Born In East L.A.')
Acuitzeramo (2019)
as Salvador
Baby Blue (2025)
as Bud
Journey (1995)
as Boone
ESL: English as a Second Language (2005)
as Pepe
Million Dollar Mystery (1987)
as Hijacker
Go for Sisters (2013)
as Morales
After the SIlence (1996)
as John Sanchez
Culture Shock (2019)
as Coyote
Price of Glory (2000)
as Hector Salmon
From the Files of Joseph Wambaugh: A Jury of One (1992)
as Alfredo Ramirez
Monday Nights at Seven (2016)
as Jorge
Spiked (2021)
as Jose
River of Rage: The Taking of Maggie Keene (1993)
as Paco
Flypaper (1999)
as Leon
An Evergreen Christmas (2014)
as Jose
Addicto de Salsa (2009)
Actor
Seven Cemeteries (2024)
as Abuelo
Hunter: Return to Justice (2002)
as Chuck "Jumpy" Lopez
Cartel (1990)
as Steve Rodriguez / Bill Matthews
Missing Pieces (2001)
as Castillo
Nightman (1997)
as Mr. Alvarez
American Son (2008)
as Cristina's Father
...And the Earth Did Not Swallow Him (1995)
as El Mohado
Lookwell (1991)
as Manny
Pucker Up and Bark Like a Dog (1989)
as Carlos
Moe (2023)
Actor
Lost in Plainview (2006)
as Roberto
Down the Drain (1990)
as Chico
Road to Juarez (2015)
as Manuel
Delfino's Journey (2025)
as Abuelo