Actor Jimmy Smits is an Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG award winner. Now, he can add another accolade to his resume: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star recipient. Smits received the honor on Wednesday, June 2.
Smits spoke at the virtual ceremony saying, “My goal as an actor has been to interpret and to bring into life fully-rounded characters with thought provoking stories, hopefully, that reflect the American experience,” he said “So does it matter that I’m Hispanic, Latino, Latinx? You bet it does.”
Smits’s career spans three decades with roles in both television and film. He is known for his television performances on LA Law in the early 90’s and NYPD Blue in the late 90’s. Since then he has done stints on The West Wing-where he played the first Latino President of the United States- Dexter, and Sons of Anarchy. On the big screen Smits starred in Mi Familia (My Family) alongside Edward James Olmos and Jennifer Lopez.
Next weekend Smits can be seen in the much anticipated In the Heights. Lin-Manuel Miranda said in a video presentation, “Above all, Jimmy Smits is an incredible advocate for Latino artists.” Miranda went on to say that Smits supported the play version and offered to do the voiceover for the spot announcing In the Heights was going to Broadway. “Now, he is in In The Heights and this man who was Princess Leia’s dad is also Nina Rosario’s dad.” Miranda said in astonishment.
In addition to his acting, Smits also co-founded the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts.