---
name: "David Zayas"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/david-zayas"
fi1m_id: "david-zayas"
imdb_id: "nm0953882"
tmdb_id: 22821
wikidata_id: "Q439438"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "15 August 1962"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 7
average_fi1m_score: 73
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 7
updated: "2026-10-05T04:03:24.142205+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# David Zayas

## Identity

David Zayas

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/david-zayas
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** david-zayas
- **IMDb ID:** nm0953882
- **TMDB ID:** 22821
- **Wikidata ID:** Q439438
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Zayas, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q439438, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0953882/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/22821

Actor. Born 15 August 1962 in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 15 August 1962, Ponce, Puerto Rico
- **Active:** 1997–present
- **Also known as:** 大衛·扎亞斯, دیوید زایاس, دِیوید زایاس
- **Frequently works with:** [Clyde Phillips](https://film.one/person/clyde-phillips.md), [Marcos Siega](https://film.one/person/marcos-siega.md), [Michael C. Hall](https://film.one/person/michael-c-hall.md), [Scott Buck](https://film.one/person/scott-buck.md), [Scott Reynolds](https://film.one/person/scott-reynolds.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 73, as actor, over 7 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 80 (1), 2000s 76 (4), 2020s 62 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 73 to 66 across 7 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 2 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Crime 5, Drama 5, Thriller 3, Mystery 2, Action 1, Sci-Fi & Fantasy 1
- **Screen time:** 6 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $325m across 3 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Zayas, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q439438, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0953882/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/22821

## Streaming the US now

- **Apple TV:** [*Dexter*](https://film.one/tv/dexter.md) (74)
- **Hulu:** [*Dexter: Resurrection*](https://film.one/tv/dexter-resurrection.md) (64)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on David Zayas

> David Zayas plays policemen as men who like people and expect the best of them, and he has done it for so long that when the trust goes, in *Dexter: Resurrection*, the show is the better for it. Rarely the lead; rarely the weak link.

Watch Angel Batista in the Miami squad room of *Dexter* (2006) and you will see a policeman built the way television hardly ever builds one. He is not tired, not clever, not on the take. He likes his colleagues, he assumes the best of the man at the next desk, and David Zayas plays him with a low, unhurried voice and a big frame that never crowds anyone. It is not a showy job. For most of eight seasons the show's attention is on Michael C. Hall, and our own review of the original series does not stop to mention him, which is roughly how the part was written: the decent man in the background, taken for granted.

The background is where Zayas built the career. He came to acting in his thirties after the US Air Force and nearly fifteen years in the New York Police Department, and that is the one biographical fact that matters here, because it is what casting directors kept hiring. He joined the LAByrinth Theater Company in 1992, took small parts in *Law & Order*, played the prison gang leader Enrique Morales in *Oz* from 2000 to 2003, and then did 96 episodes of *Dexter* between 2006 and 2013. Since then the work has been steady and mostly in uniform or near it: Detective Dalberto in *Michael Clayton* (2007), a run of procedurals, the mob boss Sal Maroni in *Gotham* (2014), and the two *Dexter* sequels, *New Blood* and *Dexter: Resurrection* (2025).

He has said he could play ten law enforcement officers "because I try to examine the human elements of each of those characters — not what they do for a living", and the claim holds up better than most actors' accounts of themselves. His cops are people first; the badge is a job they happen to have. That is also why the criminals work. Morales and Maroni are played with the same steadiness and the same reluctance to raise the voice, and that is what makes them frightening.

*Resurrection* is where all of this pays off. The show around him is nimble and fond of nudging us about its past, and Zayas is the one supporting player it treats seriously: heavier, sadder and more stubborn than the Batista we remember, closing in on an old friend. We did not expect to be moved by a revived cop show remembering itself, and then Zayas sat across from a man he has known for twenty years and we were. Everything the character had assumed about people is on his face, and it is not enough any more.

The caveat is the obvious one. Thirty years in, he is still mostly the man in the second chair, and the only show that has given him space to work is the one that kept casting him as the same man. *The Running Man* (2025) and *R.J. Decker* (2026) are next. We would like one of them to hand him the lead and then leave him alone with it.

## Biography

David Zayas is a Puerto Rican actor. He was born on 15 August 1962 in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and raised in the Bronx, New York. Before turning to acting, he served in the United States Air Force and worked as a New York City police officer for nearly 15 years.

Zayas is best known for his role as Angel Batista in the series *Dexter* (2006–2013) and its spinoffs *Dexter: New Blood* and *Dexter: Resurrection*. He also played Enrique Morales in the HBO series *Oz* (2000–2003). Other credits include appearances in *The Expendables* (2010), *16 Blocks* (2006) and multiple episodes of the *Law & Order* franchise.

Since 1998, Zayas has been married to actress Liza Colón-Zayas. The couple have appeared together on screen, including in *The Bear*.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (7)

- *Dexter: Resurrection* (2025), Fi1m 64, as Angel Batista — [page](https://film.one/tv/dexter-resurrection.md)
- *The Running Man* (2025), Fi1m 60, as Richard Manuel — [page](https://film.one/film/the-running-man.md)
- *Michael Clayton* (2007), Fi1m 86, as Detective Dalberto — [page](https://film.one/film/michael-clayton.md)
- *Dexter* (2006), Fi1m 74, as Angel Batista — [page](https://film.one/tv/dexter.md)
- *The Interpreter* (2005), Fi1m 62, as Charlie Russell — [page](https://film.one/film/the-interpreter.md)
- *Angels in America* (2003), Fi1m 83, as Super — [page](https://film.one/tv/angels-in-america.md)
- *Oz* (1997), Fi1m 80, as Enrique Morales — [page](https://film.one/tv/oz.md)

## Complete filmography (91)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *R.J. Decker* (2026), series, as Victor Ochoa — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/tv/r-j-decker.md)
- *The Running Man* (2025), as Richard Manuel — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/the-running-man.md)
- *Or Something* (2025), as Uptown Mike
- *Dexter: Resurrection* (2025), series, as Angel Batista — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/tv/dexter-resurrection.md)
- *Snag* (2023), as Ramon
- *The Night Agent* (2023), series, as Mike Fonseca — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-night-agent.md)
- *Adieu Aurora* (2022), as Jon Castaneda
- *The Bear* (2022), series, as David Marrero — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-bear-2022.md)
- *Elite Short Stories: Samuel Omar* (2021), series, as Hombre borracho 1
- *Dexter: New Blood* (2021), series, as Angel Batista
- *R♥️J* (2021), as Fernando Capulet
- *NEXT* (2020), series, as Nacio Ramos
- *Power Book II: Ghost* (2020), series, as Uncle Frank
- *Force of Nature* (2020), as John the Baptist
- *Our Lady of 121st Street* (2020), as Edwin
- *Body Cam* (2020), as Sergeant Kesper
- *Deadly Class* (2019), series, as El Alma Del Diablo, El Angel Del Diablo
- *FBI* (2018), series, as Antonio Vargas
- *Seven Seconds* (2018), series, as Medina
- *Shine* (2017), as Ramon
- *The Guest Book* (2017), series, as David
- *11:55* (2017), as Maurice
- *Teen Titans: The Judas Contract* (2017), as Alberto Reyes (voice)
- *Lost Cat Corona* (2017), as Ponce
- *Shut Eye* (2016), series, as Eduardo Bernal
- *The Lennon Report* (2016), as Officer Joseph Medina
- *Tallulah* (2016), as Detective Richards
- *The Wannabe* (2015), as Pablo Guzman
- *Quantico* (2015), series, as Charlie
- *Annie* (2014), as Lou
- *Ride* (2014), as Ramon
- *Gotham* (2014), series, as Sal Maroni
- *Saint George* (2014), series, as Junior
- *Chicago P.D.* (2014), series, as Carlos Mendoza
- *The Blacklist* (2013), series, as Manny Soto — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-blacklist.md)
- *Jodi Arias: Dirty Little Secret* (2013), as Detective Flores
- *The Following* (2013), series, as Tyson Hernandez
- *Elementary* (2012), series, as Juan Murillo
- *Junction* (2012), as Lt. Tarelli
- *Grimm* (2011), series, as Salvadore Butrell — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/grimm.md)
- *Person of Interest* (2011), series, as Ernie Trask — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/person-of-interest.md)
- *Samuel Bleak* (2011), as Ruben Ramirez
- *Bob's Burgers* (2011), series, as Bubble Master (voice)
- *Skyline* (2010), as Oliver
- *Blue Bloods* (2010), series, as Governor Martin Mendez
- *The Expendables* (2010), as General Garza
- *Coach* (2010), as Ramon
- *13* (2010), as Detective Larry Mullane
- *Wake* (2009), as Grayson
- *Flying By* (2009), as Tony
- *Burning Mussolini* (2009), as Hector
- *In Plain Sight* (2008), series, as Harrison Locke
- *The Savages* (2007), as Eduardo
- *Michael Clayton* (2007), as Detective Dalberto — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/michael-clayton.md)
- *Burn Notice* (2007), series, as Javier
- *Dexter* (2006), series, as Angel Batista — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/dexter.md)
- *Shark* (2006), series, as Alvarez — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/tv/shark.md)
- *Conviction* (2006), series, as Cartwright
- *16 Blocks* (2006), as Robert Torres
- *The Feast of the Goat* (2006), as Antonio de la Maza
- *The Closer* (2005), series, as Brian
- *The Interpreter* (2005), as Charlie Russell — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/the-interpreter.md)
- *Numb3rs* (2005), series, as Carlos Costavo
- *Jailbait* (2004), as Guard
- *Mimmo & Paulie* (2004), as Paulie
- *Angels in America* (2003), series, as Super — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/angels-in-america.md)
- *Undefeated* (2003), as Paulie
- *Anne B. Real* (2003), as Cynthia's Dad
- *Without a Trace* (2002), series, as Gabriel Molina
- *CSI: Miami* (2002), series, as Ben Porterson
- *A Gentleman's Game* (2002), as Alfred D'Angelo
- *Washington Heights* (2002), as David
- *Law & Order: Criminal Intent* (2001), series, as Stanley Maas, Fire Marshall
- *Wit* (2001), as Code Team Blue Head
- *Sam the Man* (2001), as Billy the Cop
- *The Yards* (2000), as Officer Jerry Rifkin
- *The Beat* (2000), series, as Rei Morales
- *Bringing Out the Dead* (1999), as Cop in Elevator
- *Third Watch* (1999), series, as Motorman
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Detective Milton, Warren Fels
- *Stepmom* (1998), as Policeman
- *Above Freezing* (1998), as Hector
- *Rounders* (1998), as Osborne
- *Scarred City* (1998), as Cop #1
- *Return to Paradise* (1998), as Construction Foreman
- *All Revved Up* (1998), as Omar
- *Bleach* (1998), as Lt. Ballard
- *Oz* (1997), series, as Enrique Morales — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/oz.md)
- *Lena's Dreams* (1997), as Jorge
- *Law & Order* (1990), series, as McGinty, Raoul Cervantes, Carlos, John Mireles, Justin Cabrera — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md)
- *Grind*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![David Zayas at the Broadway opening of "Operation Mincemeat," 2025](https://film.one/media/person/101761/gallery-5218400ab7cb.jpg) David Zayas at the Broadway opening of "Operation Mincemeat," 2025 — PhilipRomanoPhoto, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/DavidZayas-byPhilipRomano.jpg/1280px-DavidZayas-byPhilipRomano.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![David Zayas at the Opening Night of "The Balusters" on Broadway - April 21, 2026](https://film.one/media/person/101761/gallery-860a6f791646.jpg) David Zayas at the Opening Night of "The Balusters" on Broadway - April 21, 2026 — PhilipRomanoPhoto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c6/DavidZayas-byPhilipRomano2.jpg/1280px-DavidZayas-byPhilipRomano2.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![David Zayas, Lauren Vélez & Erik King speaking at the 2013 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Dexter", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego,](https://film.one/media/person/101761/gallery-c5bb573f32cc.jpg) David Zayas, Lauren Vélez & Erik King speaking at the 2013 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Dexter", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/de/David_Zayas%2C_Lauren_V%C3%A9lez_%26_Erik_King.jpg/1280px-David_Zayas%2C_Lauren_V%C3%A9lez_%26_Erik_King.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![David Zayas speaking at the 2013 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Dexter", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. Please attribute ](https://film.one/media/person/101761/gallery-e35cc8a2b09a.jpg) David Zayas speaking at the 2013 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Dexter", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. Please attribute  — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9e/David_Zayas_2013.jpg/1280px-David_Zayas_2013.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![David Zayas](https://film.one/media/person/101761/gallery-4f72636bf1b4.jpg) David Zayas — Image via TMDB
- ![David Zayas](https://film.one/media/person/101761/gallery-4d3a47740a55.jpg) David Zayas — Image via TMDB
- ![David Zayas speaking at the 2013 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Dexter", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. Please attribute ](https://film.one/media/person/101761/gallery-c3aaae42f2cc.jpg) David Zayas speaking at the 2013 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Dexter", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. Please attribute  — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/13/David_Zayas_SDCC_2013.jpg/1280px-David_Zayas_SDCC_2013.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![David Zayas at the 2013 San Diego Comic Con International in San Diego, California.](https://film.one/media/person/101761/gallery-62545ed357ee.jpg) David Zayas at the 2013 San Diego Comic Con International in San Diego, California. — Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/David_Zayas_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg/1280px-David_Zayas_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/david-zayas