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Efren Ramírez
Ramirez at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con International
Born
Efrain Antonio Ramírez

(1973-10-02) October 2, 1973 (age 50)[1]
OccupationActor
Years active1992–present
Spouse
(m. 1998; ann. 1999)

Efrain Antonio Ramírez[2] (born October 2, 1973)[1] is an American actor and DJ, best known for playing Pedro Sánchez in the 2004 indie film Napoleon Dynamite. He later reprised his role in the 2012 animated series of the same name.

Early life[edit]

Ramírez was born in Los Angeles, California, to Salvadoran parents. He has four brothers, one of whom is his identical twin Carlos.[3]

Career[edit]

Ramirez has starred in a number of films, including Napoleon Dynamite as Pedro Sánchez, Employee of the Month, Crank and Crank: High Voltage, Searching for Mickey Fish, All You've Got, and Walkout and made cameos in Nacho Libre and Mr. & Mrs. Smith. In 2009, Efren starred in the comedy American Summer as well as appearing as a contestant on MTV's Celebrity Rap Superstar. On July 14, 2008 Sierra Mist released a series of commercials aimed at multicultural consumers in which Efren stars.

Soon after the success of Napoleon Dynamite, the music group G. Love and Special Sauce asked Efren to appear in their music video "Booty Call". He also played Ashlee Simpson's boyfriend in the music video for her 2005 song "Boyfriend". Ramírez made a cameo appearance in a 2005 episode of ABC's George López wearing a T-shirt similar to the shirt Jon Heder wears in Napoleon Dynamite that reads, "Vote For Pedro". In 2007 Ramírez appeared as the judge for an acting challenge on Cycle 8 of America's Next Top Model.

Ramírez made several cameos throughout his career. In King Cobra, he portrayed a teenager playing a game of hide-and-seek with his girlfriend (portrayed by Ramirez's wife Iyari Limon). They later end up as prey for the title antagonist. In the music video for Sleazy, Pedro appears as a cameo and lip syncs André 3000's verse.[4]

He co-founded Powerhouse Pictures Entertainment, LLC with Chris Barrett, and they co-authored the book Direct Your Own Life: How To Be A Star in Any Field You Choose being published on June 10, 2008 through Kaplan Publishing.

Personal life[edit]

In 1998, Efren married actress Iyari Limon. The marriage was later annulled.[5]

Ramírez is also a DJ,[6] who has performed worldwide and toured in over 50 cities across 5 continents. His sets include a variety of music, from hip hop, funk, disco, to hard house. His production company "Nocturnal Rampage" throws a recurring rave event every summer in Austin, Texas.[5]

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Year Film Role Other notes
1994 Tammy and the T-Rex Pizza Boy
1995 Jury Duty Pirate Pete's employee
1996 Kazaam Carlos
1998 Melting Pot Miguel Álvarez
1999 King Cobra Teen Boy Direct-to-video release
2000 Rave Bookie
2001 Delivering Milo Street Hustler Uncredited role
2004 Napoleon Dynamite Pedro Sánchez
Just Hustle Street Connection
2006 Tomorrow's Yesterday Ron
Gettin' Some Jail Time Pico
Crank Kaylo
Employee of the Month Jorge Mecico
Walkout Bobby Verdugo
2007 Moola Hector
Crossing the Heart Jesus
2009 Ratko: The Dictator's Son Ratko Volvic
American Summer Hector
Gamer DJ Twist
Crank: High Voltage Venus/Kaylo
2010 When in Rome Juan Uncredited role
2011 The Pool Boys Hector
2012 Casa de Mi Padre Esteban
2014 School Dance El Matador
2015 Endgame Mr. Alvarado
2016 Varsity Punks Coach Menlo
Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life Gus
2017 Trafficked Enrique
Mad Families Rolando
2022 Lightyear Airman Díaz

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1996 Relativity Xavier Episode: "No Job Too Small"
1997 Dangerous Minds Nutty Episode: "The Feminine Mystique"
Nothing Sacred Guillermo Episode: "A Bloody Miracle"
1999 Ryan Caulfield: Year One Juan Episode: "Nocturnal Radius"
Chicken Soup for the Soul Paco Episode: "Paco Come Home"
2000 Missing Pieces Renaldo TV film
2000, 2001 Boston Public Amaad Wilkens Episodes: "Chapter Six", "Chapter Twenty-Two"
Even Stevens Scrub Patrol Episodes: "Scrub Day", "Easy Crier"
2003 Judging Amy Ricky Diaz Episode: "Picture of Perfect"
ER Jimmy Episode: "Death and Taxes"
2004 The District Fernando Guttierez Episode: "Ten Thirty-Three"
2005 George Lopez The new class treasurer (parody of Pedro Sánchez) Episode: "George's Extreme Makeover-Holmes Edition"
Robot Chicken Pedro Sanchez/Domino's Pizzaman Voice role
Episode: "The Black Cherry"
2006 Walkout Bobby Verdugo HBO TV film
All You've Got Carlos MTV TV film
MADtv Various roles Episode: 12.3
2007 El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera El Cucharón Voice role
Episode: "The Bride of Puma Loco"
American Dad! Paco Voice role
Episode: "American Dream Factory"
Celebrity Rap Superstar Himself
Scrubs "Caramel Bear" Ricky Episode: "My Growing Pains"
2010 Eastbound & Down Catuey Season 2
2012 Napoleon Dynamite Pedro Sánchez Voice role
2015 Constantine Julio Episode: "The Saint of Last Resorts: Part 2"
2016 Bordertown Ruiz Gonzalez Voice role
Deadbeat Morgue Ghost Season 2
2020 Perpetual Grace, LTD Felipe Guillermo Usted Episodes:
  • "Eleven"
  • "Felipe G. Usted. Almost First Mexican on the Moon. Part 1"
  • "Felipe G. Usted. Almost First Mexican on the Moon. Part 2"
  • "A Sheriff in the Era of the Cartel"
2021 The Casagrandes Picosito Voice role
Episode: "Bend It Like Abuelo"
2022 Made for Love (TV series) Oz Wimmer S2E4: Episode: "Another Byron, Another Hazel"
2022 FBI: Most Wanted Oscar Zamora S4E3: Episode: "Succession"

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Celebrity birthdays for the week of Sept. 27-Oct. 3". The Associated Press. September 21, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  2. ^ "Efren Ramirez - Biography". Archived from the original on April 19, 2009. Retrieved September 11, 2009.
  3. ^ "Efren Ramirez Bio - BuddyTV".
  4. ^ Sleazy Remix 2.0 Get Sleazier. January 27, 2012. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021 – via YouTube.
  5. ^ a b "Efren Ramirez Biography - Yahoo! Movies". Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  6. ^ "Efren Ramirez - DJ Home". Archived from the original on January 8, 2011. Retrieved January 31, 2011.

External links[edit]