Luis Guzman stars as Martinez in Fighting

LUIS GUZMÁN (Martinez) will be seen next alongside Denzel Washington and John Travolta in Tony Scott’s The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3.

Guzmán’s recent feature releases include Nothing Like the Holidays, with Freddy Rodríguez, Alfred Molina and John Leguizamo; Yes Man, with Jim Carrey; He’s Just Not That Into You, with Drew Barrymore and Scarlett Johansson; Cleaner, starring opposite Samuel L. Jackson and directed by Renny Harlin; and Maldeamores, produced by Benicio Del Toro .

Guzmán has also played substantial roles in War, with Jason Statham and Jet Li; Todd Phillips’ School for Scoundrels; Richard Linklater’s Fast Food Nation; Waiting…, with Anna Faris and Ryan Reynolds; Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story, with Kurt Russell and Dakota Fanning; Carlito’s Way, with Al Pacino and Sean Penn; Carlito’s Way: Rise to Power, with Mario Van Peebles and Sean Combs; Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, with Jim Carrey; Anger Management, with Adam Sandler and Jack Nicholson; and Confidence, with Ed Burns and Dustin Hoffman, directed by James Foley. Guzmán also starred in Punch-Drunk Love, with Adam Sandler, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, and Welcome to Collinwood, with George Clooney.

The former social worker has become a well-known leading and character actor, having appeared in more than 60 feature films. Born in Puerto Rico, Guzmán grew up in Manhattan. After he graduated from City College of New York, he worked as a youth counselor at the Henry Street Settlement while performing in street theater and independent films. Guzmán’s first big break was a guest appearance on the NBC series Miami Vice.

Guzman has appeared in three films for Sidney Lumet, two films for Brian De Palma (Snake Eyes and the original Carlito’s Way) and three films for Paul Thomas Anderson (Magnolia, Boogie Nights and Punch-Drunk Love). He also appeared in three films for Steven Soderbergh: Traffic, The Limey (for which Guzmán received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor) and Out of Sight.

Guzman’s other films include Anthony Minghella’s Mr. Wonderful; Ridley Scott’s Black Rain; The Hard Way; Cadillac Man; True Believer; and The Count of Monte Cristo, directed by Kevin Reynolds.

For television, Guzmán recently played a lead role in the HBO series John From Cincinnati.

Early in his career, Guzmán made guest appearances on many television shows, including ABC’s NYPD Blue, NBC’s Law & Order and HBO’s Oz.