Jimmy Smits Biography
Jimmy Smits is an American actor, television producer, and voice actor who was born and brought up in Brooklyn, New York, United States of America. He is widely known for his roles in the ‘Star Wars’ franchise as as Bail Organa, the crime drama series ‘Dexter’ as Miguel Prado, the legal drama ‘L.A. Law’ as attorney Victor Sifuentes, the police drama NYPD Blue as NYPD Detective Bobby Simone, and on the NBC political drama ‘The West Wing’ as Congressman Matt Santos.
10 Quick Facts About Jimmy Smits
- Name: Jimmy L. Smits
- Age: 68 Years (2023)
- Birthday: 9 July
- Zodiac Sign: Cancer
- Height: 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m)
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Actor, Television Producer, and Voice Actor
- Marital Status: Dating
- Salary: $150,000
- Net worth: $12 Million
Jimmy Smits Age
Smits is 68 years old as of 2023, he was born on born on 9 July 1955, in Brooklyn, New York, United States. He celebrates his birthday on 9 July every year and his birth sign is Cancer.
Jimmy Smits Height
Smits stands at a height of 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m). His body measurements are 42-34-14 inches.
Jimmy Smits Weight
Smits weighs 96 kg (211 lbs). He has dark brown eyes and black hair.
Jimmy Smits Early Life and Education
Smits was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and was an athlete in his youth. He went to Thomas Jefferson High School. He attended Brooklyn College where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1980. He then enrolled at Cornell University, he received an MFA in 1982.
Jimmy Smits Family, Parents
Smits was born to his parents Cornelis Leendert Smits (1929–2015) and Emilina (née Pola; 1930–2015) in New York. His father Cornelis, was from Paramaribo, Suriname, and was of Dutch descent, while his mother Emilina, was Puerto Rican, born in Peñuelas.
Jimmy Smits Siblings
Smits spent his childhood with his two sibling sisters named Yvonne and Diana, and grew up in a working-class neighborhood. He spent time in Puerto Rico during his childhood.
Jimmy Smits Wife
Smits was previously married to his high school sweetheart Barbara Smits. The couple tied the knot in 1981 but later divorced in 1987. They were blessed with two children named Taina and Joaquin. Barbara died on April 16, 2010.
Jimmy Smits Partner
Smits has been in a relationship with his long-time girlfriend Wanda De Jesus, an actress. The couple began dating in 1986, and have been together ever since. They currently lives in Los Angeles.
Jimmy Smits Children
Smits and his ex-wife Barbara have two children together, a daughter named Taina and a son named Joaquin. Taina was born in 1975 and Joaquin was born in 1983. Their daughter Taina Smits-Beasley is a theatre arts teacher at Ellen Glasgow Middle School in Fairfax County, VA, who lives in Virginia.
Jimmy Smits Salary
Smits earns a salary of $150,000 per episode.
Jimmy Smits Net Worth
Smits has an estimated net worth of $12 million dollars as of 2023. This includes his assets, money and income. His primary source of income is his career as an actor, television producer, and voice actor. Through his various sources of income, Jimmy has been able to accumulate a good fortune but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.
Jimmy Smits Measurements and Facts
Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about Jimmy.
Jimmy Smits Wiki
- Full Names: Jimmy L. Smits
- Popular As: American actor
- Gender: Male
- Occupation / Profession: Actor, Television Producer, and Voice Actor
- Nationality: American
- Race / Ethnicity: Mixed (White and Hispanic)
- Religion: Christianity
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
Jimmy Smits Birthday
- Age / How Old?: 68 Years (2023)
- Zodiac Sign: Cancer
- Date of Birth: July 9, 1955
- Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Birthday: July 9
Jimmy Smits Body Measurements
- Body Measurements: 42-34-14 inches
- Height / How Tall?: 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m)
- Weight: 96 kg (211 lbs)
- Eye Color: Dark brown
- Hair Color: Black
- Shoe Size: 10 (US)
- Chest Size: 42 inches
- Waist Size: 34 inches
- Bicep Size: 14 inches
Jimmy Smits Family and Relationship
- Father (Dad): Cornelius Smits
- Mother: Emilina Smits
- Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): Yvonne and Diana
- Marital Status: Dating
- Wife/Spouse: Barbara Smits (m. 1981; div. 1987)
- Dating / Girlfriend: Engaged to Wanda De Jesus
- Children: Sons (Joaquin Smits) Daughter(s) (Taina Smits)
Jimmy Smits Net worth and Salary
- Net Worth: $12 Million
- Salary: $150,000
- Source of Income: Actor, Television Producer, and Voice Actor
Jimmy Smits Star Wars
He also appeared as Bail Organa in the Star Wars franchise. Star Wars was an American epic space opera multimedia franchise created by George Lucas, which started with the eponymous 1977 film and fast became a worldwide pop-culture phenomenon.
The franchise has been expanded into different films and other media, including television series, video games, novels, comic books, theme park attractions, and themed areas, including an all-encompassing fictional universe. Star Wars was one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time.
Jimmy Smits Dexter
Smits also appeared as ADA Miguel Prado in Dexter. Dexter was an American crime drama television series that was broadcasted on Showtime from October 1, 2006, to September 22, 2013, Set in Miami, the series revolves around Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall)…
A forensic technician specializing in bloodstain pattern analysis for the fictional Miami Metro Police Department, who leads a secret parallel life as a vigilante serial killer, hunting down murderers who have not been sufficiently penalized by the magistrate system due to lawlessness or legal technicalities.
Jimmy Smits Movies and TV Shows
Movies
- 1986 – Running Scared as Julio Gonzales
- 1987 – Hotshot Stars as Team Member
- 1989 – Old Gringo as Gen. Tomas Arroyo
- 1990 – Vital Signs as Dr. David Redding
- 1991 – Switch as Walter Stone
- 1993 – Gross Misconduct as Justin Thorne
- 1995 – My Family as Jimmy Sanchez
- 1997 – Murder in Mind as Peter Walker
- 2000 – Adventures in Wild California as Narrator
- 2002 – Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones as Senator Bail Organa
- 2005 – Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith as Senator Bail Organa
- 2007 – The Jane Austen Book Club as Daniel Avila
- 2009 – Backyard as Mickey Santos
- 2010 – Mother and Child as Paco
- 2016 – Rogue One: A Star Wars Story as Senator Bail Organa
- 2017 – Who We Are Now as Carl
- 2020 – The Tax Collector as Wizard
- 2021 – In the Heights as Kevin Rosario
TV Shows
- 1984 – Miami Vice as Eddie Rivera
- 1986–92 – L.A. Law as Victor Sifuentes
- 1987 – The Highwayman as Bo Ziker
- 1988 – Mickey’s 60th Birthday as Victor Sifuentes
- 1989 – Pee-wee’s Playhouse as Johnny Wilson
- 1990 – Cop Rock as Victor Sifuentes
- 1992 – The Broken Cord as David Norwell
- 1993 – The Tommyknockers as Jim ‘Gard’ Gardner
- 1994–98, 2004 – NYPD Blue Detective as Bobby Simone
- 1995–97 – Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child as Prince Felipe, Old King Cole
- 1996 – Marshal Law as Jack Coleman
- 2004–06 – The West Wing as Matt Santos
- 2005 – Lackawanna Blues as Ruben Santiago, Sr.
- 2007 – Cane as Alex Vega
- 2008 – Dexter as Miguel Prado
- 2010 – Outlaw as Cyrus Garza
- 2012–14 – Sons of Anarchy as Neron ‘Nero’ Padilla
- 2016–17 – The Get Down as Francisco “Papa Fuerte” Cruz
- 2016–17 – Brooklyn Nine-Nine as Victor Santiago
- 2017 – 24: Legacy as John Donovan
- 2017–18 – How to Get Away with Murder as Dr. Isaac Roa
- 2018 – America’s Untold Story as Narrator
- 2019 – Bluff City Law as Elijah Strait
- 2022 – Obi-Wan Kenobi as Senator Bail Organa
- 2022 – East New York as Assistant Chief John Suarez
Jimmy Smits Illness
During his lifetime Jimmy has been mostly affected by cancer. “My dad passed away a couple of years ago from blood cancer,” he tells PEOPLE. “Because of his age, he wasn’t able to have a bone marrow transplant at that time. He fought a valiant fight, but he’s a statistic now.
I’ve always been very dedicated to raising awareness and knowledge about the disease because I still have hope that we can someday beat it. Cancer affects us all, and it has affected my family.”
Jimmy Smits Accomplishments
- Acting career: Jimmy has an extensive acting career that spans over three decades. He has appeared in numerous movies, television shows, and stage productions, earning critical acclaim for his performances.
- Awards and nominations: Jimmy has received several accolades throughout his career, including a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. He has also been nominated for several other awards.
- Political activism: Jimmy is a vocal advocate for various political causes, including immigration reform, healthcare reform, and environmental protection. He has campaigned for various political candidates and served as a board member for several non-profit organizations.
- Community service: Jimmy has also been involved in several community service initiatives, including serving as a board member for the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts and the Children’s Defense Fund.
- Cultural representation: Jimmy has been a prominent advocate for increasing representation of Latino actors and characters in the entertainment industry. He has actively worked to create more opportunities for Latino performers and raise awareness of Latino culture.
- Philanthropy: Jimmy has supported various charitable organizations, including the Starlight Children’s Foundation, the United Way, and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund.
Jimmy Smits Legacy
- Acting career: Jimmy is widely recognized for his impressive acting skills and his ability to bring complex characters to life. His performances in shows like “L.A. Law,” “NYPD Blue,” and “The West Wing” have earned him critical acclaim and a devoted fan base.
- Representation: As a Latino actor, Jimmy has been a trailblazer for representation in the entertainment industry. He has consistently advocated for more opportunities for Latino actors and has helped to increase the visibility of Latino characters and storylines in popular media.
- Political activism: Jimmy has used his platform to advocate for various political causes, including immigration reform, healthcare reform, and environmental protection. He has campaigned for political candidates and served as a voice for social justice and equity.
- Community service: Jimmy has been involved in several community service initiatives, using his fame and resources to support causes that are important to him. He has served on the boards of several non-profit organizations and has been a vocal supporter of various charities.
- Inspiration: Jimmy has been an inspiration to many aspiring actors and activists, showing that it is possible to use one’s platform for positive change. His legacy includes a commitment to social justice, representation, and community service that will continue to inspire future generations.
Jimmy Smits Hobbies and interests
- Music: Jimmy is a fan of various types of music, including jazz and Latin music. He has even been known to play the piano himself and has performed in musical productions, such as “Anna in the Tropics.”
- Sports: Jimmy is a fan of basketball and has been known to attend games and even participate in celebrity charity basketball games.
- Cooking: Jimmy enjoys cooking and has been known to experiment with different recipes in his free time. He has also hosted cooking shows and competitions.
- Travel: Jimmy enjoys traveling and exploring new places. He has traveled extensively for both work and leisure and has spoken about his love for immersing himself in different cultures and experiencing new things.
- Reading: Jimmy is an avid reader and has spoken about his love for books and the power of storytelling.
Jimmy Smits Personal beliefs
- Social justice: Jimmy is a passionate advocate for social justice and has spoken out on issues related to racial inequality, immigration reform, and environmental protection. He has used his platform to raise awareness about these issues and to advocate for change.
- Representation: Jimmy believes in the importance of representation in the entertainment industry, particularly for Latino actors and characters. He has advocated for more opportunities for Latino performers and has worked to increase the visibility of Latino stories and perspectives in popular media.
- Education: Jimmy is a strong believer in the power of education and has been involved in various initiatives to support educational access and opportunities. He has spoken about the importance of education in empowering individuals and communities to effect positive change.
- Diversity: Jimmy believes in the importance of diversity in all areas of society, including the entertainment industry, politics, and education. He has spoken about the need for greater representation and inclusion of diverse voices and perspectives.
- Collaboration: Jimmy believes in the power of collaboration and has worked with various individuals and organizations to effect positive change. He has emphasized the importance of working together to achieve common goals and to create a better future for all.
Jimmy Smits Quotes
Frequently Asked Questions About Jimmy Smits
Jimmy is a famous actor, television producer, and voice actor who gained extensive recognition for his roles in the films Star Wars (2002) and Dexter (2008).
Jimmy is an American national born on 9th July 1955, in Brooklyn, New York.
Jimmy stands at a height of 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 meters).
Yes, Jimmy is currently engaged to Wanda De Jesus. They began dating in 1986. He was previously married to Barbara Smits from 1981 and divorced in 1987.
Jimmy has an approximate net worth of $12 million. This amount has been accrued from his leading roles in the entertainment industry.
Jimmy has an approximate salary of $150,000. This amount has been accrued from his leading roles in the entertainment industry.
Jimmy is a resident of Los Angeles, California, USA, we shall upload pictures of his house as soon as we have them.
Jimmy is alive and in good health. There have been no reports of him being sick or having any health-related issues.
Jimmy is still an active participant in the creative entertainment industry, he is a cast member of Star Wars.
Jimmy Smits Contacts
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