Hispanic Actors Who Pursued Careers in Other Fields

Many Hispanic actors have expanded their professional horizons beyond the screen. Some started in different industries before finding fame while others leveraged their celebrity status to enter new sectors. These men have ventured into politics, sports, music, law, and business ventures with varying degrees of success. The following list highlights male Hispanic actors who have successfully navigated careers outside of the entertainment industry.

Rubén Blades

This Panamanian icon is as respected in the political arena as he is in Hollywood. He holds a law degree from Harvard University and served as the Minister of Tourism for Panama. His work in salsa music revolutionized the genre before he transitioned into acting in films like ‘Safe House’. He successfully balances his time between touring with his band and engaging in political activism.

Frankie Muniz

The star of ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ took a significant hiatus from acting to pursue professional race car driving. He joined the Atlantic Championship and later competed in the ARCA Menards Series. His passion for motorsports led him to race full-time while limiting his screen appearances. He remains involved in racing and occasionally returns to television projects.

Danny Trejo

Known for his tough roles in films like ‘Machete’, this actor became a successful entrepreneur in the food industry. He launched a chain of restaurants known as Trejo’s Tacos that expanded rapidly across Los Angeles. His business portfolio grew to include a donut shop and a record label. He uses his platform and business success to support community rehabilitation programs.

Sergio Mayer

This Mexican actor and singer transitioned from entertainment to a serious career in politics. He served as a federal deputy in the Mexican Congress where he chaired the Culture and Cinematography Commission. His political tenure focused on cultural preservation and the rights of artists. He continues to remain active in public debates regarding Mexican policy and social issues.

Cuauhtémoc Blanco

Before appearing in telenovelas like ‘Triunfo del amor’, he was a legendary professional soccer player for the Mexican national team. He retired from sports to pursue acting briefly before diving into a successful political career. He was elected as the mayor of Cuernavaca and later became the Governor of Morelos. His transition from sports icon to actor and then to high-ranking politician is unique in Mexico.

Fernando Colunga

While he is one of the most recognizable faces in telenovelas, he holds a degree in civil engineering. He completed his university studies and worked in the field before fully committing to acting. His technical background provided him with a disciplined approach to his career management. He famously ran a hardware business before finding his big break on television.

Saúl Lisazo

Before he became a leading man in dramas like ‘Por tu amor’, he was a professional soccer player. He played for clubs in his native Argentina and also competed professionally in Brazil and Belgium. An injury forced him to retire from the sport early which led him to modeling and acting. He credits the discipline learned on the field for his longevity in television.

Juan Soler

This Argentine actor had a promising career in sports before moving to Mexico to act. He was a professional rugby player and even represented his country on the national team. He eventually left the sport to pursue modeling and acting opportunities in Latin America. He maintains his athletic lifestyle and often participates in extreme sports events.

Freddie Prinze Jr.

While known for ‘She’s All That’, he pursued a career behind the scenes in professional wrestling. He worked as a writer and producer for the WWE creative team for several years. He also ventured into the culinary world by releasing cookbooks and exploring food media. He currently focuses on podcasting and writing while taking select acting roles.

Cheech Marin

Beyond his comedy and acting career, he is a renowned art collector and advocate for Chicano culture. He owns one of the largest private collections of Chicano art in the world. He partnered with the city of Riverside to establish a museum dedicated to these works. His efforts have significantly raised the profile of Mexican-American artists globally.

Antonio Banderas

The Spanish star of ‘The Mask of Zorro’ enrolled in the prestigious Central Saint Martins college to study fashion design. He launched his own clothing line in collaboration with established fashion houses. He viewed this educational pursuit as a way to reinvent himself creatively. He continues to design while maintaining his busy film schedule.

Pedro Infante

The icon of the Golden Age of Mexican cinema was also a passionate aviator. He accumulated nearly three thousand flight hours and was a co-pilot for a commercial transport company. His love for aviation was as intense as his dedication to music and acting. He tragically died piloting his own plane during a cargo flight.

Jorge Negrete

Before becoming a legendary singer and actor, he graduated as a lieutenant from the Heroic Military College. He worked in the army and was trained in horsemanship and weaponry. His military discipline served him well when he later became a fierce union leader for actors. He founded the National Association of Actors to protect the rights of his colleagues.

Emilio Fernández

Known as “El Indio”, this director and actor participated in the Mexican Revolution before his film career. He rose to the rank of colonel and was even sentenced to prison for his political involvement. He escaped to the United States where he discovered cinema and eventually returned to shape the Mexican film industry. His military past heavily influenced the themes of his movies.

Carlos Vives

This Colombian star is globally famous for his vallenato music but started his career as a telenovela actor. He starred in series like ‘Escalona’ where his singing and acting talents merged. He owns a successful restaurant and music venue called Gaira Café in Bogotá. He uses his business ventures to promote Colombian culture and support local artists.

David Zepeda

This leading actor holds a law degree from the University of Sonora in Mexico. He has stated that his legal education taught him how to negotiate his own contracts effectively. Although he does not practice law in court, he keeps his license active. He balances his acting projects with a secondary career in music recording.

Osvaldo Ríos

Before starring in international hit soap operas, he worked as a psychologist. He led therapy groups for teenagers and provided vocational counseling. His understanding of human behavior helped him craft complex villains and heroes on screen. He transitioned into acting after being discovered by television producers in Puerto Rico.

Kuno Becker

Best known for his role in the ‘Goal!’ film trilogy, he is also a highly trained classical musician. He studied violin professionally at the Mozarteum University Salzburg in Austria. He intended to be a career violinist before shifting his focus to acting. He still plays the instrument and has directed films that incorporate his musical knowledge.

Eduardo Capetillo

Member of a famous bullfighting family, he has engaged in the tradition while also pursuing politics. He ran for mayor of the municipality of Ocoyoacac in Mexico. His campaign focused on local development and security improvements. He balances these pursuits with occasional returns to television and musical performances.

Ricky Martin

While primarily a music superstar, he began as a child actor and continues to act in series like ‘The Assassination of Gianni Versace’. He is also a dedicated author who has written children’s books and a memoir. He established a foundation that fights human trafficking and advocates for children’s rights. His philanthropic work is a full-time professional operation.

Marc Anthony

The top-selling salsa artist has a substantial business portfolio. He founded a massive entertainment company called Magnus Media that manages athletes and artists. He also owns a minority stake in the Miami Dolphins NFL team. His business ventures encompass sports management, marketing, and music production.

Daddy Yankee

The “King of Reggaeton” starred in the film ‘Talento de Barrio’ and has built a business empire. He launched his own line of headphones and a cologne brand. He owns El Cartel Records and has invested in real estate and sports teams. He recently announced his retirement from music to focus on his faith and business interests.

Don Omar

This reggaeton pioneer famously left the music industry for a period to become a preacher. He devoted his time to religious studies and youth outreach in Puerto Rico. Although he eventually returned to music and acting in the ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise, his time in ministry was a distinct vocational shift. He continues to support religious organizations.

Bad Bunny

Benito Martínez Ocasio has pursued a legitimate career in professional wrestling alongside his music. He trained extensively to compete in WWE matches including a featured bout at WrestleMania. His performances earned respect from veteran wrestlers for his athletic dedication. He also owns a sports management agency and a basketball team in Puerto Rico.

Pedro Fernández

A child prodigy in acting and music, he has sustained both careers into adulthood. He focuses on ranchera music while occasionally starring in television comedies. He manages his own touring production company and oversees the logistics of his concerts. His hands-on approach to the business side of touring is well known in the industry.

Jaime Camil

Before ‘Jane the Virgin’, he worked in radio broadcasting and business administration. He worked for his father’s business ventures before deciding to enter the entertainment world. He continues to produce content and invests in tech startups. He serves on the boards of various charitable organizations and arts institutions.

Carlos Ponce

This actor and singer has also worked as a television host and correspondent for English-language networks. He launched his own brand of wine and has invested in real estate development. He actively produces content for television and digital platforms. His career is a mix of creative performance and business production.

Jencarlos Canela

This Cuban-American actor is also an award-winning singer and songwriter. He studied music and psychology before his television career took off. He was the first Latino artist to collaborate with certain major automotive brands for music campaigns. He focuses heavily on music production when not filming.

Christian Meier

This Peruvian heartthrob holds a degree in graphic design which he completed before becoming famous. He played keyboards for a popular rock band called Arena Hash in the eighties. He launched a line of fragrances and has other business interests in Peru. He considers himself a musician who fell into acting by accident.

Diego Boneta

He started as a child singer and successfully transitioned to Hollywood acting. He served as the executive producer for ‘Luis Miguel: The Series’ to ensure its authenticity. He launched his own production company to develop bilingual content. He also has his own tequila brand called Defrente.

Yahir

This singer and actor has starred in musical theater productions and television dramas. He is an avid athlete who participates in competitive sports. He manages his brand across various platforms including reality television hosting. He remains one of the most successful graduates of the talent show ‘La Academia’.

Alfonso Herrera

While he gained massive fame with the group RBD, he has focused entirely on acting in recent years. However, during his time with the group, he was part of a global music business phenomenon. He now works with the UNHCR as a Goodwill Ambassador. He uses his platform to advocate for refugees and displaced people.

Christopher von Uckermann

Another RBD alumnus who has explored metaphysics and alternative philosophies. He writes music that reflects his spiritual interests and produces independent projects. He has stepped back from commercial acting at times to focus on personal growth and music. He views his artistic output as a form of spiritual expression.

Alexis Ayala

This veteran actor is also a successful entrepreneur in the nightlife industry. He has owned and operated several bars and restaurants in Mexico City. He also works as a producer for theater and television shows. His business ventures provide him with financial stability outside of acting contracts.

Wilmer Valderrama

The ‘That ’70s Show’ star is a prolific producer and activist. He owns a production company that develops content for various networks. He travels with the USO to support American troops abroad. He is deeply involved in voting rights campaigns and Latino advocacy organizations.

Gabriel Soto

He was a member of the boy band Kairo before becoming a leading actor. He is also a competitive boxer and mixed martial arts enthusiast. He established a foundation to support aspiring young athletes. He invests in real estate and manages his own image rights company.

Luis Roberto Guzmán

This Puerto Rican actor originally tried to break into the music industry with the group Menudo but did not make the final cut. He later released solo music while building his acting portfolio. He produces theater productions in Mexico. He is known for his disciplined approach to physical fitness and stage training.

Please share your thoughts on these multi-talented individuals in the comments.