Tony Plana

Tony Plana, born José Antonio Plana on April 19, 1952 in Havana, Cuba, is a prolific Cuban‑American actor and director whose career spans more than four decades across film, television, theatre and video games. His family fled the Cuban Revolution and settled in Miami in 1960, a move that exposed him to a bicultural environment that would later inform his artistic choices. After graduating from Loyola Marymount University, he refined his craft at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, gaining a classical foundation that enabled him to tackle both Shakespearean roles and contemporary characters with equal skill. In 1995 he founded the East L.A. Classic Theatre, dedicating a decade to producing and directing Shakespeare for minority audiences, a venture that highlighted his commitment to cultural accessibility and community engagement. Plana’s screen breakthrough came with the role of Rudy in Luis Valdez’s Zoot Suit, first on stage in Los Angeles and later in the 1981 film adaptation, establishing him as a versatile talent capable of bridging theatre and cinema. He later became widely recognized as Ignacio Suarez, the loving father on the hit ABC series Ugly Betty, and as the voice of Manuel “Manny” Calavera in the cult classic adventure game Grim Fandango, showcasing his range from dramatic acting to voice work. His extensive television résumé includes appearances on Hill Street Blues, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, The West Wing, 24 and CSI, while his film credits feature roles in An Officer and a Gentleman, Three Amigos, Goal! and Wasp Network. Beyond performing, Plana shares his expertise as an acting professor at California State University, Dominguez Hills and Rio Hondo College, mentors emerging artists, and serves as an outspoken advocate for comprehensive immigration reform, having spoken at the 2012 LULAC conference. His lifelong dedication to storytelling, education, and activism makes him a respected figure both on and off the screen.