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Bandleader who had several big instrumental hits in 1960s with his band, Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass. First big hit was "The Lonely Bull" in 1963. He and the Brass followed that with other big hits like "Tijuana Taxi", "Spanish Flea" (familiar to some as "the Dating Game song"), "A Taste of Honey", and "Zorba the Greek". It wasn't until he decided to try a vocal that he finally hit #1 on the Billboard charts with "This Guy's in Love With You" in 1968. After the breakup of the Tijuana Brass, Alpert was out of the public eye until his comeback album, Rise, hit the charts in 1979. That album produced his first instrumental #1, "Rise". After several mediocre attempts after that, Alpert laid low and then resurfaced in 1987 with a more modern jazz/funk sound with "Keep Your Eye on Me".

Ingrid Oliu was born in Boyle Heights and raised in Nicaragua, Central America. She has lived in California since 1978. She is best known for her role as "Lupe La Gordita" from the Academy Award nominated film, Stand And Deliver, Warner Brothers. She was Estela in the film Real Women Have Curves and voiced the role of Officer Montoya in Batman The Animated Series, Warner Brothers.

Fernández is an award-winning actor and writer. Born and raised in East Los Angeles, she attended Garfield High School, East L.A. College and Cal State University, Los Angeles, While at Cal State, she found her niche in Chicano Theater. Fernandez starred in film roles with Edward James Olmos, Paul Rodriguez, and Cheech Marin (in A Million to Juan (1994)) and in Luminarias (1999) (with Scott Bakula, Robert Beltran, and Cheech Marin). She was nominated for a Desi Award and is a recipient of Nosotros's Golden Eagle Award for her portrayal of Julie in American Me (1992) and the Alma Award for Hollywood Confidential (1997) . She won the Best Actress award at the Ibero-American International Film Festival in Huelva, Spain for her performance in Luminarias (1999) and her second Golden Eagle Award for Outstanding Writer for Luminarias (1999).

Fernández's professional acting career began in Luis Valdez's Zoot Suit as Della, the female lead in the original stage production at the Mark Taper Forum. After Zoot Suit, she toured nationally and internationally with El Teatro de la Esperanza. Among her many appearances she has performed at the New York Shakespeare Festival and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. A founding member of the Latino Theater Company (LTC), Fernández acted in several productions at the Los Angeles Theatre Center, including La Victima, King Lear, Etta Jenks, Roosters, Stone Wedding, August 29 (which she co-wrote and starred in with members of LTC) and the stage production of Luminarias.

Fernández's writing credits also include the plays Premeditation and How Else Am I Supposed To Know I'm Still Alive, the latter which has been produced throughout the U.S. and adapted into an award-winning film for the Universal Hispanic Film Project (CineFestival Special Jury Award). Her screenwriting credits include East Los High (2013) and Luminarias (1999). She is adapting her stage play, Dementia (commissioned by the Mark Taper Forum), for the big screen.

She is also a poet and a motivational speaker, performing and speaking in schools and community centers throughout California and the Southwest. She and her husband, José Luis Valenzuela, Artistic Director of the Latino Theater Company and Professor of Drama at UCLA, have two children. They reside in East Los Angeles.

Growing up in a family full of entertainers, Aldo Gonzalez wasn't known as a bashful person. At the age of 12, Aldo realized his dream for entertaining when he became the drummer of his first band, Expression. Following in the footsteps of his father and brother wasn't always easy. Distracted by harsh realities of the gang life in the late 80's, Aldo lost sight of his dream.

It was in a jail cell at the age of 29 that he told himself that there has to be more to life than this. Determined to get back on track, he rid himself of all the negativity surrounding him and found hope in his first job as an extra in Herbie Reloaded. Enthused and excited, he pursued his career and enhanced his resume with roles in commercials, music videos, and feature films.

Today, you can spot Aldo on popular t.v. shows acting in dramatic and comedic roles, such as Sons of Anarchy and Hard Times of RJ Berger - catering to a wide range of audience. It was Aldo's experience on set of Confessions of a Pit Fighter and Half Past Dead 2 that inspired him to one day add director and producer to his resume.

Born and raised in Boyle Heights, California. He starting acting in high school and followed the acting bug to the theater arts department of Los Angeles City College. He joined the Tripoli Circus as Pozo the clown for two tours of the Midwest. He worked as a stage hand for the Bi-Lingual Foundation of the Arts. He broke free and broke through with a role in the Low Rider cult classic Boulevard Nights (1979). That same year he became a member of the Improvisational Theatre Project at the Mark Taper Forum. Since then he has been an improv journeyman working with Cold Tofu, Los Angeles Theatresports, Wrought Irony, and Acme's Zebra Company. To date he has made over 200 appearances as various characters on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992).

Karla Zamudio is a gifted actress born and raised in East Los Angeles and proud of her Mexican-American heritage. Her career as a multi-faceted actress spans over the course of 25 years. Having worked with some of the biggest brands in commercials and top talent in film and TV, Karla brings her fiery Latin blood to every role she plays.

She's played roles in major TV series such as The Last Ship, Mistresses, Switched At Birth, and General Hospital. She stood out as Dr. Martinez in the feature film Maximum Ride, based on James Patterson's series of young adult fantasy novels. Being bilingual has proven to be a major asset for Karla as it has opened up a spectrum of acting opportunities throughout her career.

Karla has many years of experience acting in commercials for major brands which include McDonald's, Visa, Walgreens, AT&T, Nationwide Insurance, and Honda, just to name a few! You may even remember her from the 2019 American Airlines commercial Stand Up to Cancer, alongside Tim McGraw. A woman of many talents, Karla has also been a lifestyle model for major print ads nationally and internationally.

Karla trained at the world-renowned Beverly Hills Playhouse and within a short time industry professionals started recognizing her talent. She has shown great versatility through the characters she portrays as she naturally delivers performances requiring subtlety, range, and depth.

Francisco Aragon is an American filmmaker, a member of the DGA officially joined in 2013 and a member of SAG since 1989. The producer of Down for Life, 2009 Official Selection at Toronto International Film Festival. Francisco known as Frank was born and raised in the streets of Boyle Heights, he has been involved in the creation of films as an actor, writer, director, and producer for over 25 years. Aragon was drawn to the industry as an actor starring in Angel Town (1990) opposite Theresa Saldana and appearing in Death Wish 4: The Crackdown (1987) starring Charles Bronson. He then found himself being captivated to behind the scenes work as location manager on Real Women Have Curves (2002), Resurrection Blvd. (2000), and The Brothers Garcia (2000). His company goals are American-Latino themed films with universal appeal formed in 2000. Down for Life (2009) is his 5th film in the capacity of producer and 2nd unit director. Some of his Entertainment's emerging library of films include Aragon's past works: Love (2001), Boyle Heights (2010), Hollywood Familia (2006), and The Miracle (2011). Aragon is a recipient of the 2001 Golden Eagle Award as Outstanding Independent Filmmaker from Nosotros for his work on Love (2001). He is dedicated to making a difference with his community and his passion continues to drive him to tell the stories of the struggles, triumphs, heart aches, and joy that often go unheard but when told disclose a universal message that brings understanding and awareness helping to unite our society. Frank is producing, directing and starring in A Time of Love and War as August 2018 will a release date for 2021. Frank is Co-chair of the DGA Latino committee and a member of NALIP National Association of Latino Independent producers. Frank is also the founder and Ceo of the National Association of Hispanic Entertainment and Media Professionals, founded in 2020.

Antonio Villaraigosa was born on 23 January 1953 in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California, USA. He is an actor and executive, known for George Lopez (2002), The Rise and Fall of the Brown Buffalo (2017) and All My Children (1970). He was previously married to Patricia Govea and Corina Raigosa.

Bill Slayton grew up in the Boyle Heights area of Los Angeles. As a running back for Garfield High, he made first team all-city in 1940. After an amateur boxing career, he turned to training and had his greatest success working with heavyweight champions Ken Norton and Michael Dokes. He took more pride, however, in helping disadvantaged children, teaching them about boxing (and life) at the Broadway Gym in South Los Angeles, which he operated for two decades. His efforts in boxing resulted in him being voted "manager of the year" in 1977 by the Boxing Writers Association of America, and he received a lifetime achievement award from the Golden State Boxers Association in 2002. He died during the last week of October in 2003 following a lengthy illness. He was 81.

Princess Mona Darkfeather was born Josephine M. Workman in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles on 13 January 1882. Her grandparents were William Workman (1799-1876), a native of England, and Nicolasa Urioste (1802-1892), who hailed from the Taos Pueblo of New Mexico. Consequently, though Darkfeather stated in a 1914 film magazine interview that she was descended "from an aristocratic Spanish family," she likely had at least some Indian blood through her grandmother. Her father was José (Joseph) Workman (1833-1901), who worked as a ranch superintendent in Kern County, California, when he married Josephine Belt (1850-1937), a native of Stockton, California, of American and Peruvian ancestry. Josephine was the youngest of their seven children.

The first hint of her involvement in entertainment appears to have been captured in the 1900 federal census, where her profession was given as "whistler." Some have speculated this was a job calling out to passersby to visit a nickelodeon theater. In 1909, however, the year films were first made in Los Angeles, Josephine answered an advertisement calling for a dark-featured woman for acting roles. Quickly, she became a major star in the fledgling film industry in Hollywood with her peak period of activity coming between 1913 and 1915.

Working with film director Frank E. Montgomery (a.k.a., Akley), Princess Mona made dozens of short films as a stereotypical Indian for such companies as Bison, Nestor, Kalem and Centaur and one full-length film for Universal in 1917. Her last film appearance was in 1926. Her husband continued to work in the industry as a cameraman and bit player, the former Princess lived in obscurity for decades.

She lived in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles until her death on 3 September 1977 when she was 95 years old. She died as a ward of the State of California and her collection of film memorabilia, recalled by relatives, was likely discarded as she had lost contact with her family. Josephine Workman/Princess Mona Darkfeather was buried in an unmarked grave at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California, but in late 2014 her great-nephew, Doug Neilson, had a grave marker installed to identify this early silent film star.

A native to LA, Andrew Velázquez has always been passionate about beauty and style. After receiving his degree in fashion merchandising and license in cosmetology, Velázquez honed his skills at top beauty destinations like Aveda Spa, Anastasia Beverly Hills and MAC Cosmetics. Today, he has a roster of celebrity clientele, from Demi Lovato to Kieth Urban and Florence and the Machine. But he doesn't just cater to those who walk the red carpet. Velázquez works tirelessly to deliver beauty and confidence to all of his clients. Whether they come in to his salon for a quick blow-out, brow shaping session or a makeup application and hairstyle on set, clients leave not just feeling their best but also armed with techniques to maintain their new look at home. Andrew Velázquez represents a unique and dynamic approach to makeup artistry, eyebrow shaping and hair styling. His specialty is educating his clients and helping them create a sense of self awareness that allows them to always look their best.

Seymour Rosen was born on 27 May 1924 in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California, USA. He was an actor and producer, known for Mambo Madness (1955), How to Marry a Millionaire (1957) and The Red Skelton Hour (1951). He died on 21 December 2017 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Richard Alatorre was born in 1943 in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California, USA. He was married to Angie Alatorre. He died on 13 August 2024 in Eagle Rock, California, USA.

Richard Duardo was born on 15 May 1952 in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California, USA. Richard is known for Fatal Beauty (1987). Richard died on 11 November 2014 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Amy Iwanabe was born on 13 January 1921 in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California, USA. She was an actress. She was married to Kunio Ted Iwanabe. She died on 11 April 2010 in Monterey Park, California, USA.