Richard Cabral (born August 28, 1983) is an American actor, occasional producer and writer. He is best known for his roles on Mayans M.C. on FX, the ABC television series American Crime, which earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination in 2015, and the Fox television series Lethal Weapon.
Richard Cabral | |
|---|---|
 Cabral at the 2018 San Diego Comic-Con | |
| Born | August 28, 1983 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Other names | Baby Jokes |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Spouse | Janiece Sarduy (2014 – div. 2020) |
Early life
Cabral grew up in East Los Angeles, in a second-generation Mexican-American family. He became active in gang activity from an early age.[1] He said in an interview with Entertainment Tonight that his family had been a part of the gang scene since the 1990s. He was a documented member of Varrio 213 in Montebello (East Los Angeles), California. When he was a child, he was separated from his family. He was incarcerated at the age of 13 for stealing a wallet.[2] Cabral developed an addiction to crack cocaine by the age of 15.[3] He obtained his GED as a teenager but once again got in trouble with the law. He was sentenced to prison for violent assault with a deadly weapon (shooting), and was released at the age of 25.
Career
Cabral's entertainment career started in the Chicano Rap music scene as a member of the chicano rap group "Charlie Row Campo". He created several albums and features under the moniker "Baby Jokes", or "Joker". The music mostly depicted negative, gang-related street tales.
While Cabral was trying to turn his life around, his friends recommended he seek out the services of Homeboy Industries, a gang-intervention program based in Los Angeles. There he auditioned and landed his first role, which led him to further his skills through acting classes and seminars. In 2009, he began to act, with Cabral appearing in the television show Southland.[2] In 2010, he appeared in the music video for Bruno Mars' single "Grenade".[4]
In 2015, Cabral starred in the mini-series American Crime, in which he portrayed the character Hector Tontz.[5] For his role, Cabral was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Movie at the 2015 Primetime Emmy Awards.
In 2016, Cabral co-wrote with Robert Egan a one-man show called Fighting Shadows, about his experiences as a former gang member who spent years in and out of prison.[6]
Awards
In 2013, Cabral won the Lo Maximo award from Homeboy Industries, which honors HI service recipients who give back to the community.[7]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | A Better Life | Marcelo Valdez | |
| 2012 | End of Watch | 'Demon' | |
| 2013 | Snitch | 'Flaco' | |
| 2013 | The Counselor | 'The Green Hornet' | |
| 2014 | Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones | Arturo Lopez | |
| 2014 | Walk of Shame | Gang Member | |
| 2016 | Blood Father | 'Joker' | |
| 2017 | Khali the Killer | Khali | |
| 2018 | Breaking In | Duncan | |
| 2018 | Peppermint | Salazar | |
| 2018 | All Creatures Here Below | Hugo | |
| 2019 | Windows on the World | Domingo |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009, 2011 | Southland | 'Joker' Ruiz | Episode: "Derailed" |
| Cholo #2 | Episode: "Code 4" | ||
| 'Leprechaun' | 3 episodes | ||
| 2011 | Body of Proof | Jorge | Episode: "Hunting Party" |
| 2012 | Luck | Store Clerk | Episode: "#1.3" |
| 2012 | "The Big Bang Theory" | Court Scene; Groom | Episode: "The Countdown Reflection" |
| 2013 | Chicago Fire | Inmate Rios | Episode: "A Hell of a Ride" |
| 2014 | Bosch | Jimmy Uribe (uncredited) | Episode: "Chapter One: 'Tis the Season" |
| 2014 | Key and Peele | Eduardo | Episode: "Terrorist Meeting" |
| 2015–2017 | American Crime | Hector Tonz | 11 episodes |
| Sebastian De Le Torre | 5 episodes | ||
| Isaac Castillo | 5 episodes | ||
| 2016–2017 | Lethal Weapon | Detective Alex Cruz | 8 episodes |
| 2018–2022 | Mayans M.C. | Johnny 'Coco' Cruz | 35[8] episodes Writer: "Dialogue With the Mirror" |
| 2019 | Into the Dark | Santo Cristobal | Episode: "Culture Shock" |
| 2023 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Ivan "Dutch" Hernandez | Episode: Dutch Tears |
| 2023 | Twisted Metal | Loud | Recurring role |
Music Videos
| Year | Song | Band | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Good Girls Bad Guys | Falling In Reverse | |
| 2010 | Grenade | Bruno Mars |
Discograghy
| Year | Song | Artist | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | East Side Classics | Jasper Loco & Baby Jokes | |
| 2010 | Gutter Tales | Jasper Loco & Baby Jokes | |
| 2011 | Life On The Streets | Baby Jokes | |
| 2012 | Wanted | Baby Jokes |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 67th Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie | Nominated | |
| 19th OFTA Television Awards | Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries | Nominated | ||
| 2016 | 20th Satellite Awards | Best Ensemble – Television Series (shared with the ensemble) | Won |