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Rick GonzalezAmerican actor
Date of Birth: 30.06.1979
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Rick Gonzalez
Rick Gonzalez is an American actor best known for his roles in the sports drama film "Coach Carter" (2005) as Timo Cruz and the crime action film "Biker Boyz" (2003) as Primo. He is also recognized for his work in the television series "Reaper" and films such as the horror movie "Pulse", the comedy "Old School", and the musical drama "Roll Bounce".
Early Life
Rick Gonzalez was born on June 30, 1979, in New York City. He is of Puerto Rican and Dominican descent. His parents met and got married in New York City and raised Gonzalez in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn. He completed his elementary and high school education here. As a child, he entertained his loved ones with his improvisational shows and participated in all school performances. Gonzalez used the experience he gained to apply to the School of Performing Arts, which he graduated from in 1997, starting his acting career.
Career
Starting in New York, Gonzalez landed a small role as Sanchez in the telefilm "Thicker Than Blood" (1998), starring Mickey Rourke and Dan Futterman. In 1999, he made his big-screen debut as Ricky in the comedy-drama "Mambo Cafe", released in 2000. After appearing in the adventure action film "Prince of Central Park" with Kathleen Turner and Danny Aiello, the actor moved to Los Angeles, California.
In Hollywood, Gonzalez secured a minor role in the adventure comedy "Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles" (2001) with Paul Hogan. Following this, he portrayed Rudy Bonilla in the sports biopic "The Rookie" (2002) alongside Dennis Quaid and played the sex-obsessed Primo in the motorcycle Western film "Biker Boyz" (2003) about the lives of African American bikers.
Continuing to remain active in the film industry, Gonzalez landed the role of Timo Cruz in the film "Coach Carter" (2005) with Samuel L. Jackson. The sports drama was based on real events in 1999, where a high school basketball coach banned underperforming students from playing until they improved their grades. In addition to the film itself, Gonzalez appeared in the music video for rapper Twista's song "Hope," which became the film's main single. He also played the lead male role in singer Mashonda's rhythm and blues music video for the song "Back of Tha Club" and appeared in rapper Obie Trice's video for "Snitch," portraying one of the members of a successful bank-robbing gang who had to turn in his accomplices. Finally, Gonzalez participated in actor and rapper Red Cafe's music video for the song "All Night Long," which also became a soundtrack for "Coach Carter".
Among the numerous films he has appeared in, it is worth noting the comedy film "Old School" (2003), where Gonzalez worked alongside Luke Wilson, Will Ferrell, and Vince Vaughn, portraying a character known as "the Spanish guy". Gonzalez also joined the ensemble cast of the musical drama film "Laurel Canyon" and appeared as a young Vincent in the short film "Subway Cafe" (both in 2004). In 2005, Gonzalez had the opportunity to work with director Steven Spielberg in the highly anticipated science fiction action film "War of the Worlds" starring Tom Cruise and Dakota Fanning. In the same year, Gonzalez played a role in Malcolm D. Lee's film "Roll Bounce" and was invited to portray Stone in the horror film "Pulse" (2006) and Andy Lopez in the thriller "First Snow" (2006). In 2007, the actor appeared as Wilson DeLeon Jr. in Frank Reyes' crime thriller "Illegal Tender" and portrayed Pat Smear in the autobiographical film "What We Do Is Secret" about the punk band "The Germs". Gonzalez's most recent acting work is the role of Benjamin in the drama film "Flying Lessons" (2010).
