Date of Birth: July 9, 1955
Zodiac Sign: Cancer
Biography
Jimmy Smits is a renowned American actor known for his versatile roles in television and film. Born on July 9, 1955, in Brooklyn, New York, to a Puerto Rican mother, Emilina, and a Surinamese father, Cornelis Leendert Smits, Jimmy grew up in a multicultural environment that has significantly influenced his acting career. He attended Thomas Jefferson High School and later pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree at Brooklyn College. He further honed his acting skills by earning a Master of Fine Arts from Cornell University in 1982. Smits gained widespread acclaim for his portrayal of Victor Sifuentes in the legal drama “L.A. Law,” which aired from 1986 to 1992. He achieved further success and recognition for his role as Detective Bobby Simone on the popular police drama “NYPD Blue,” a role he played from 1994 to 1998. His work has earned him several awards and nominations, including a Golden Globe Award and multiple Primetime Emmy nominations. In addition to his television success, Jimmy Smits has appeared in numerous films such as “Running Scared” (1986), “The Jane Austen Book Club” (2007), and “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith” (2005), where he played Senator Bail Organa. Beyond acting, Smits has been involved in various charitable activities, particularly those supporting Latino communities and arts education. He co-founded the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts and remains an active advocate for Hispanic representation in Hollywood.
5 Interesting Facts about Jimmy Smits
1. Jimmy Smits is the first Latino actor to win a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries, or Television Film.
2. He turned down a role in the famous TV show “Miami Vice” to pursue theatre work in New York.
3. Smits is a co-founder of the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts, an organization that promotes Hispanic talent in the entertainment industry.
4. He received his first Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role in “L.A. Law.”
5. Jimmy Smits has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which he received in 2006.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Jimmy Smits
1. “My family was my guide to my reality.”
2. “I’ve always been really careful about how I portray characters that have certain ethnic characteristics.”
3. “You need to keep something for yourself.”
4. “I think diversity makes for a richer tapestry. Understanding that you’re part of something larger is very empowering.”
5. “I feel that I’ve got more to give, and I want to be able to make a difference.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At his peak, Jimmy Smits achieved a net worth estimated to be around $15 million.
Children
Jimmy Smits has two children from his marriage to Barbara Smits: a daughter, Taina Smits, and a son, Joaquin Smits.
Relevant Links
1. [Jimmy Smits IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001751/
2. [Jimmy Smits Biography on Biography.com](https://www.biography.com/actor/jimmy-smits
3. [Jimmy Smits’ Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame](http://www.walkoffame.com/jimmy-smits
4. [National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts](http://www.hispanicarts.org/
