In 1996, Trejo was cast in the French production Le Jaguar (which was French for The Jaguar) and reunited with Voight for Anaconda, both of which were filmed in Manaus, Brazil. Filming could be upward of 17 hours per day, but Trejo said he was grateful for how much he learned "watching De Niro, Kilmer, and Voight, I learned a lot about how they saved for when it mattered." He recalls being mentored by Robert De Niro, who was a patient and instructive scene partner. Trejo's character in the film was initially called 'Vince' but renamed 'Trejo' in honor of Gilbert. Mann initially mistook Trejo for his uncle Gilbert he found the resemblance uncanny, having met Gilbert whilst shooting The Jericho Mile at Folsom in the late 1970s. Wars: The Camarena Story a few years prior. He ultimately secured the role, which reunited him with Michael Mann, who directed him in the television miniseries. Heat went through two script revisions whilst Trejo read for the part. He was first cast in an episode of Baywatch, followed by a part in 1993's Last Light, Kiefer Sutherland's directorial debut. ![]() Trejo found a new talent agent with the help of Raymond Cruz. Though his previous works brought him opportunities, Trejo credits Blood In, Blood Out as having brought him "legitimate, worldwide fame." Of his experiences of Blood In, Blood Out, Trejo recalls feeling uncomfortable around many of the other actors during rehearsals, as they were more established. In 2021, Trejo stated that he believes Olmos has yet to accept him as a serious actor. Before Trejo had the chance to attend a second meeting with Olmos, he received a call from Joe 'Peg Leg' Morgan, the then-living don of the Mexican Mafia Morgan approved of his choosing a role in Blood In, Blood Out instead of American Me. Trejo was unimpressed by the script and his initial meeting with Olmos. In 1991, Edward James Olmos originally offered him the role of Pedro Santana in American Me. Trejo says Estrada's ego got the better of him he believes Estrada arranged for Trejo and a number of others to fly coach instead of first class on the way to Hawaii for filming. He enjoyed the making of Guns, yet alleges Erik Estrada took issue with the cast and crew being more familiar with Trejo than himself. ![]() 1990s: Blood In, Blood Out and career progression ![]() Trejo was paid $120 cash each day, but the project often went into overtime "We were stacked with cash." On a good month, Trejo was taking home as much as $700 by 1989 from being an extra alone yet, people often assumed he was far wealthier after a few appearances on television. While filming he met Anthony Gambino of the Gambino Crime Family Gambino allegedly had financial interests invested and was there to meet the leading man, Leon Isaac Kennedy. Penitentiary III was his first billed role. Trejo was paid between $320 and $350 per day "When I got my first paycheck, I thought they made a mistake!" Bunker also convinced director Andrei Konchalovsky to offer Trejo a small acting role. Remembering Trejo's boxing skills, Bunker played a pivotal role in securing Trejo as Eric Roberts' personal trainer and boxing advisor. ![]() Edward Bunker, a well-respected crime author who was writing the screenplay for the film, recognized Trejo, with whom he had done time at San Quentin. While there, Trejo was offered a job as an extra.
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