Biography
Manny Pérez is a Dominican American actor. Born on 5 May 1969 in Baitoa, Santiago, Dominican Republic, he moved to New York City after high school and studied drama at Marymount Manhattan College, graduating in 1992. He has also trained at the Ensemble Studio Theatre and is a member of the LAByrinth Theater Company.
Pérez appeared in the television series Third Watch (as Manny Santiago) and co-wrote, produced and starred in the 2002 film Washington Heights. He is known for roles in films including Sound of Freedom (2023, as Fuego), Bella (2006), Pride and Glory (2008) and Love Is Strange (2014), and television series such as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The Blacklist and Homeland. He won the Best Actor award at the 2002 Milan International Film Festival for Washington Heights and is the cousin of author Junot Díaz.
