---
name: "Esai Morales"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/esai-morales"
fi1m_id: "esai-morales"
imdb_id: "nm0005246"
tmdb_id: 65344
wikidata_id: "Q974064"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "1 October 1962"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 8
average_fi1m_score: 72
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 8
updated: "2026-10-04T20:12:32.340170+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."
---

# Esai Morales

## Identity

Esai Morales

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/esai-morales
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** esai-morales
- **IMDb ID:** nm0005246
- **TMDB ID:** 65344
- **Wikidata ID:** Q974064
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esai_Morales, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q974064, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005246/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/65344

Actor. Born 1 October 1962 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 1 October 1962, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
- **Active:** 1987–present
- **Also known as:** 에사이 모레일스, ایسای مورالس, إساي مورالس, אסאי מוראלס, 伊塞·莫瑞, Esai Manuel Morales Jr.
- **Frequently works with:** [Christopher McQuarrie](https://film.one/person/christopher-mcquarrie.md), [Erik Jendresen](https://film.one/person/erik-jendresen.md), [Hayley Atwell](https://film.one/person/hayley-atwell.md), [Simon Pegg](https://film.one/person/simon-pegg.md), [Tom Cruise](https://film.one/person/tom-cruise.md), [Ving Rhames](https://film.one/person/ving-rhames.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 72, as actor, over 8 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 72 (1), 1990s 82 (1), 2000s 84 (1), 2010s 68 (2), 2020s 67 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 73 to 72 across 7 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 6 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 4 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 4, Action 3, Thriller 3, Adventure 2, Crime 2, Comedy 1
- **Screen time:** 9 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,224m across 3 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esai_Morales, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q974064, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005246/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/65344

## Coming up

- *Dark Horse* (2026-11-19), as Paulo Pontes
- *Live Like That* (2027-02-26)

## Streaming the US now

- **Netflix:** [*La Bamba*](https://film.one/film/la-bamba.md) (72), [*War Machine*](https://film.one/film/war-machine.md) (63)
- **Paramount+:** [*Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One*](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-one.md) (74)
- **Apple TV:** [*Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning*](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-the-final-reckoning.md) (63)

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

## Biography

Esai Morales is an American actor. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he trained at the High School of Performing Arts in Manhattan and began his career on stage before making his film debut in *Bad Boys* (1983).

He is known for his role as Bob Morales in the biopic *La Bamba* (1987), as Lt. Tony Rodriguez on the television series *NYPD Blue* (2001–2004), Camino del Rio on *Ozark* (2017), Joseph Adama on *Caprica* (2009–2010), and Slade Wilson / Deathstroke on *Titans* (2019). Morales played the antagonist Gabriel opposite Tom Cruise in *Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One* (2023) and reprised the role in *Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning* (2025). He co-founded the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts.

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

## On Fi1m (8)

- *War Machine* (2026), Fi1m 63, as Torres — [page](https://film.one/film/war-machine.md)
- *Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning* (2025), Fi1m 63, as Gabriel — [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-the-final-reckoning.md)
- *Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One* (2023), Fi1m 74, as Gabriel — [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-one.md)
- *Ozark* (2017), Fi1m 70, as Camino 'Del' Del Rio — [page](https://film.one/tv/ozark.md)
- *Major Crimes* (2012), Fi1m 66, as Deputy Manuel Diaz — [page](https://film.one/tv/major-crimes.md)
- *Curb Your Enthusiasm* (2000), Fi1m 84, as Francisco — [page](https://film.one/tv/curb-your-enthusiasm.md)
- *NYPD Blue* (1993), Fi1m 82, as Tony Rodriguez — [page](https://film.one/tv/nypd-blue.md)
- *La Bamba* (1987), Fi1m 72, as Bob Morales — [page](https://film.one/film/la-bamba.md)

## Complete filmography (121)

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

- *Live Like That* (2027), Actor
- *Dark Horse* (2026), as Paulo Pontes
- *War Machine* (2026), as Torres — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/war-machine.md)
- *Queen of Manhattan* (2025), as Papi
- *Cottonmouth* (2025), as Abe
- *Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning* (2025), as Gabriel — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-the-final-reckoning.md)
- *Side Quest* (2025), series, as Gustavo
- *Crescent City* (2024), as Luke Carson
- *Can't Go Home* (2023), series, as Victor Castelo
- *Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One* (2023), as Gabriel — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-one.md)
- *Master Gardener* (2023), as Oscar Neruda
- *Art of Love* (2021), Actor
- *Senior Moment* (2021), as Diego Lozana
- *The Wall of Mexico* (2020), as Henry Arista
- *Imprisoned* (2019), as Governor Mandera
- *Titans* (2018), series, as Slade Wilson / Deathstroke
- *SuperFly* (2018), as Adalberto Gonzalez
- *Love and Other Stunts* (2018), Actor
- *Halfway There* (2017), as Ian Sanchez
- *Ozark* (2017), series, as Camino 'Del' Del Rio — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/ozark.md)
- *Mars* (2016), series, as Mike Glenn / Lt. Michael Glenn
- *Never Back Down: No Surrender* (2016), as Hugo Vega
- *Casa Vita* (2016), as Rodrigo Vita
- *Adam Ruins Everything* (2015), series, Actor
- *The Brink* (2015), series, as President Julian Navarro
- *Spare Parts* (2015), as Mr. Santillan
- *Playin' for Love* (2015), as Principle Jose Marti
- *How to Get Away with Murder* (2014), series, as Jorge Castillo
- *Jarhead 2: Field of Fire* (2014), as Cpt. Jones
- *The Journey of a Female Comic* (2014), Actor
- *From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series* (2014), series, as Amancio Malvado
- *From Dusk Till Dawn: Making the First Season* (2014), Actor
- *Mozart in the Jungle* (2014), series, as Juan Delgado
- *Chicago P.D.* (2014), series, as Chief Lugo
- *Saving Westbrook High* (2013), as Manny
- *Return to Babylon* (2013), as Assistant Director (scenes deleted)
- *Atlas Shrugged: Part II* (2012), as Francisco d'Anconia
- *Major Crimes* (2012), series, as Deputy Manuel Diaz — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/major-crimes.md)
- *Seattle Superstorm* (2012), as Tom Foster
- *17th Precinct* (2011), as Liam Butterfield
- *We Have Your Husband* (2011), as Eduardo Valseca
- *Gun Hill Road* (2011), as Enrique Rodriguez
- *Fairly Legal* (2011), series, as Aaron Davidson
- *Cherry* (2010), as Wes
- *King of the Avenue* (2010), as Natas
- *Caprica* (2010), series, as Joseph Adama
- *NCIS: Los Angeles* (2009), series, as Louis Ochoa
- *The Line* (2009), as Pelon
- *Kill Kill Faster Faster* (2008), as Markie
- *The Cure* (2007), as Jorge
- *Burn Notice* (2007), series, as Ernie Paseo
- *24: Day six Debrief* (2007), series, as Agent Jorge Ramirez
- *Fast Food Nation* (2006), as Tony
- *Jericho* (2006), series, as Major Edward Beck
- *Vanished* (2006), series, as Michael Tyner
- *How to Go Out on a Date in Queens* (2006), as Frankie
- *The Virgin of Juarez* (2006), as Father Herrera
- *Freddie* (2005), series, as Carlos
- *Criminal Minds* (2005), series, as Mateo Cruz — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/tv/criminal-minds.md)
- *Once Upon a Wedding* (2005), as Pineda
- *Lethal Seduction* (2005), as Rick Benes / David Lopez
- *American Fusion* (2005), as Jose
- *Sudbury* (2004), as Gary Hallet
- *The Adventures of Tom Thumb and Thumbelina* (2003), as Vargas Mouse (voice)
- *Paid in Full* (2002), as Lulu
- *CSI: Miami* (2002), series, as Stephen Madsen
- *The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in American Cinema* (2002), Actor
- *George Lopez* (2002), series, as Manny Lopez
- *American Family* (2002), series, as Esteban Gonzalez
- *Doomsday Man* (2000), as Mike · Second Unit Director
- *Curb Your Enthusiasm* (2000), series, as Francisco — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/curb-your-enthusiasm.md)
- *A Family in Crisis: The Elian Gonzales Story* (2000), as Juan Miguel Gonzalez
- *Dora the Explorer* (2000), series, as Papi (voice)
- *American Virgin* (2000), as Jim the Director
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Jimmy Vazquez
- *Family Law* (1999), series, as Mr. Santiago
- *Southern Cross* (1999), as Philip Solano
- *Atomic Train* (1999), series, as Noris MacKenzie
- *L.A. Doctors* (1998), series, as Vince Duralde
- *Circle of Deceit* (1998), as Jeff Silva
- *The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit* (1998), as Dominguez
- *Dog Watch* (1997), as Murrow
- *The Hunger* (1997), series, as Tony
- *Dying to Be Perfect: The Ellen Hart Pena Story* (1996), as Federico Pena
- *Death in Granada* (1996), as Ricardo
- *Scorpion Spring* (1996), as Astor
- *The Real Thing* (1996), as Collin
- *Deadlocked: Escape from Zone 14* (1995), as Tony Archer
- *My Family* (1995), as Chucho
- *The Outer Limits* (1995), series, as Frank Kelton
- *Don't Do It* (1994), as Charles
- *The Burning Season* (1994), as Jair
- *In the Army Now* (1994), as Sgt. Stern
- *Rapa Nui* (1994), as Make
- *NYPD Blue* (1993), series, as Tony Rodriguez — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/nypd-blue.md)
- *The Waiter* (1993), as Julius
- *Living and Working in Space: The Countdown Has Begun* (1993), as Kenny
- *Ultraviolet* (1992), as Nicholas Walker
- *Freejack* (1992), as Ripper
- *Bay City Story* (1992), Actor
- *Naked Tango* (1990), as Zico Borenstein
- *Bloodhounds of Broadway* (1989), as Handsome Jack
- *Tales from the Crypt* (1989), series, as Puck
- *The Principal* (1987), as Raymi Rojas
- *La Bamba* (1987), as Bob Morales — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/la-bamba.md)
- *On Wings of Eagles* (1986), series, as Rashid
- *Rainy Day Friends* (1985), as Neekos Valdez
- *The Twilight Zone* (1985), series, Actor
- *The Equalizer* (1985), series, as Officer Miguel Canterra
- *Miami Vice* (1984), series, as Felipe Cruz, Pete Romano — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md)
- *Bad Boys* (1983), as Paco Moreno
- *Forty Deuce* (1982), as Mitchell
- *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Handsome Jack
- *Fame* (1982), series, Actor
- *Persephone*, Actor
- *Live 2 Die*, as Producer
- *The Americans*, series, as Lee Valenzuela
- *Company Town*, series, as Ray Dupre
- *So Much for Love*, as Geoffrey
- *Coyote*, as Hernán Barroca · Producer
- *Tumor*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Esai Morales](https://film.one/media/person/8496/gallery-2f55179f892e.jpg) Esai Morales — Gabriel Hutchinson, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/Esai_Morales_at_the_2025_Cannes_Film_Festival_05_Cropped.jpg/1280px-Esai_Morales_at_the_2025_Cannes_Film_Festival_05_Cropped.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Charlotte Ross & Esai Morales at The 23rd Genesis Awards - Beverly Hilton - Beverly Hills, Calif. - Mar. 28, 2009](https://film.one/media/person/8496/gallery-87679abce9d4.jpg) Charlotte Ross & Esai Morales at The 23rd Genesis Awards - Beverly Hilton - Beverly Hills, Calif. - Mar. 28, 2009 — Kristin Dos Santos, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/Charlotte_Ross_%26_Esai_Morales.jpg/1280px-Charlotte_Ross_%26_Esai_Morales.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Christopher McQuarrie, Esai Morales, & Tom Cruise at the 53rd Saturn Awards (2026)](https://film.one/media/person/8496/gallery-22dd84773f18.jpg) Christopher McQuarrie, Esai Morales, & Tom Cruise at the 53rd Saturn Awards (2026) — Kevin Paul, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/Christopher_McQuarrie%2C_Esai_Morales%2C_%26_Tom_Cruise_at_53rd_Saturn_Awards_2026-01.jpg/1280px-Christopher_McQuarrie%2C_Esai_Morales%2C_%26_Tom_Cruise_at_53rd_Saturn_Awards_2026-01.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Christopher McQuarrie, Esai Morales, & Tom Cruise at the 53rd Saturn Awards (2026)](https://film.one/media/person/8496/gallery-d25e84520b80.jpg) Christopher McQuarrie, Esai Morales, & Tom Cruise at the 53rd Saturn Awards (2026) — Kevin Paul, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/19/Christopher_McQuarrie%2C_Esai_Morales%2C_%26_Tom_Cruise_at_53rd_Saturn_Awards_2026-02.jpg/1280px-Christopher_McQuarrie%2C_Esai_Morales%2C_%26_Tom_Cruise_at_53rd_Saturn_Awards_2026-02.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Esai Morales](https://film.one/media/person/8496/gallery-ffab6e517ad6.jpg) Esai Morales — Image via TMDB
- ![Esai Morales](https://film.one/media/person/8496/gallery-a576564de18f.jpg) Esai Morales — Image via TMDB
- ![Christopher McQuarrie, Esai Morales, & Tom Cruise at the 53rd Saturn Awards (2026)](https://film.one/media/person/8496/gallery-dd3ad5fee2b2.jpg) Christopher McQuarrie, Esai Morales, & Tom Cruise at the 53rd Saturn Awards (2026) — Kevin Paul, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ed/Christopher_McQuarrie%2C_Esai_Morales%2C_%26_Tom_Cruise_at_53rd_Saturn_Awards_2026-03.jpg/1280px-Christopher_McQuarrie%2C_Esai_Morales%2C_%26_Tom_Cruise_at_53rd_Saturn_Awards_2026-03.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Actors Grace Park, Eric Stoltz and Esai Morales at the 2009 Paleyfest, taking part of the Battlestar Galactica/Caprica panel.](https://film.one/media/person/8496/gallery-afbf6a579fb7.jpg) Actors Grace Park, Eric Stoltz and Esai Morales at the 2009 Paleyfest, taking part of the Battlestar Galactica/Caprica panel. — oscalito, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1f/Eric_Stoltz-2009.jpg/1280px-Eric_Stoltz-2009.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/esai-morales