Jimmy Smits

Jimmy Smits – Life, Career, and Memorable Quotes

Dive into the life and career of Jimmy Smits—his rise as a television star, key roles in L.A. Law, NYPD Blue, The West Wing, Star Wars and more. Discover his philosophy, impact, and some of his best quotes.

Introduction

Jimmy L. Smits (born July 9, 1955) is an American actor whose television and film work spans law, politics, crime drama, and science fiction. He came to prominence in the 1980s and 1990s with L.A. Law and NYPD Blue, and later took on roles in The West Wing, Dexter, Sons of Anarchy, Star Wars, and In the Heights. Beyond his performances, he has been an advocate for greater Latino representation and mentorship in the entertainment industry.

Smits’s career illustrates how an actor can evolve across genres, maintain depth of character, and influence cultural narratives bridging identity, politics, and artistry.

Early Life and Education

Jimmy Smits was born in Brooklyn, New York on July 9, 1955, to parents of mixed heritage: his father, Cornelis Leendert Smits, was from Suriname of Dutch descent; his mother, Emilina, was Puerto Rican.

He grew up in a working-class household alongside two sisters. As a child, he spent part of his youth living in Puerto Rico, and initially did not speak Spanish, describing his adjustment to schooling there as "jarring."

Smits completed his education in the U.S.: he graduated from Brooklyn College in 1980 (Bachelor’s degree) and went on to earn an MFA from Cornell University in 1982.

His early years instilled in him a sense of dual identity—Puerto Rican and American—and a drive to articulate complex stories about culture, justice, and belonging.

Career and Achievements

Breakthrough in Television

Smits’s major break came with the legal drama L.A. Law (1986–1992), where he played Victor Sifuentes, a charismatic and principled attorney. His performance garnered multiple Emmy nominations and earned him a win in 1990.

He later took on one of his most beloved roles: Detective Bobby Simone in NYPD Blue (1994–98, with later returns). That character—a sensitive, strong, morally grounded detective—cemented his place as a leading actor in crime dramas.

Other key television roles include:

• Matt Santos in The West Wing (joined in later seasons), where his character becomes President of the United States.

• Miguel Prado on Dexter (season 3), a complex and morally ambiguous character.

• Nero Padilla in Sons of Anarchy, contributing emotional depth to a gritty narrative.

• More recently, Elijah Strait in Bluff City Law, returning him to the courtroom genre.

Film, Genre & Iconic Projects

Smits has appeared in a variety of films and franchise works:

• He portrayed Senator Bail Organa in Star Wars: Episode II and III, and reprised the role in Rogue One and the Obi-Wan Kenobi series—connecting him to one of cinema’s most iconic universes.

• In In the Heights (2021), he played Kevin Rosario, a role deeply connected to Latino identity and immigrant experience—something that resonated personally for him.

• Earlier roles include My Family, Old Gringo, Switch, and The Jane Austen Book Club.

He has also remained active on stage, performing in theater productions like Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing, and Anna in the Tropics.

Awards, Advocacy & Legacy

Over his career, Smits has collected recognition:

• He won a Primetime Emmy Award for L.A. Law and a Golden Globe for NYPD Blue.

• He has been nominated multiple times for Screen Actors Guild Awards and other honors.

• In 2021, Smits received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Beyond performance, Smits co-founded the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts, championing Latino representation in media and providing mentorship and support for emerging artists.

He also uses his public platform for social causes—especially around education, diversity, and advocacy for Latino voices.

Personality, Values & Artistic Approach

Smits often describes his approach to acting as rooted in versatility, integrity, and responsibility. On Wikiquote, he states:

“As an artist I want to try to be as versatile as possible. … the body of work does say something about where I’m coming from.”

He has also reflected on how playing characters like Victor Sifuentes had social resonance:

“I’m told L.A. Law’s success … caused an increase in applicants to law schools… when your character resonates with the audience.”

In interviews and quotes, he has emphasized the importance of education, representation, and artistic risk:

• “For minority actors, developing our own projects has to be the eventual path. We have a lot of stories to tell…”

• “I am a firm believer in education … have worked very hard to tell young Latinos that they must go to college … education is the great equalizer.”

• “Just give me a good role that allows me to hone my craft, and I am a pretty happy camper.”

• “If you’re afraid to live your life in a glass bubble, how can you do what we do in this industry?”

He often vets scripts and colleagues carefully, preferring projects that align with values or offer genuine narrative substance.

Smits also reflects on identity and multiculturalism:

“I am very Latino in everything I am and I do … there’s a part of me that’s also something else.”

Famous Quotes by Jimmy Smits

Here are several memorable quotes that reflect his views:

• “For minority actors, developing our own projects has to be the eventual path. We have a lot of stories to tell and a really unique voice…”

• “I am a firm believer in education … education is the great equalizer.”

• “Just give me a good role that allows me to hone my craft, and I am a pretty happy camper.”

• “If you’re afraid to live your life in a glass bubble, how can you do what we do in this industry?”

• “There’s something so familial and intimate between a boxer and his trainer.”

• “I’ve been very lucky to work on a wide variety of projects … it is so important to offer a helping hand to the next generation of young Latinos…”

These lines show his commitment to craft, representation, mentorship, and the lived experience of being an actor of Latino heritage.

Lessons from Jimmy Smits

• Representation matters, but agency even more
  Smits encourages minority artists not just to act but to create their own projects, controlling narrative voice.

• Education as foundation
  His emphasis on education speaks to equipping individuals to seize opportunities and resist tokenism.

• Choose depth over exposure
  He often says he vets roles and collaborators; for him, roles with emotional, moral complexity are more fulfilling.

• Versatility sustains a career
  Smits’s ability to move from law dramas to crime series to political shows to musicals demonstrates a durable artistic range.

• Be a bridge for the next generation
  His advocacy and mentoring show that legacy isn’t just roles played, but doors opened for others.

Conclusion

Jimmy Smits’s career is a template for sustained excellence, integrity, and thoughtful engagement in the entertainment world. From his early successes on L.A. Law to his complex roles in The West Wing, Dexter, and Star Wars, he has cultivated a body of work that reflects ambition, identity, and social conscience. Coupled with his advocacy for Latino artists and mentorship, Smits remains a significant figure not only as an actor but as a cultural influencer.

If you’d like, I can create a timeline of his roles, an analysis of one of his performances (say NYPD Blue or Matt Santos), or a gallery of images and video clips. Do you want me to expand on those?