Biography
Perry Lopez (born Julio César López) was an American film and television actor. Born in New York City on 22 July 1929, he began his career in New York theatre before signing with Warner Bros. in 1954. His early film roles included uncredited work in Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) and appearances in Mister Roberts (1955) and Battle Cry (1955).
He was best known for playing Lieutenant Lou Escobar in Chinatown (1974), opposite Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway, and reprised the role as Captain Lou Escobar in the sequel The Two Jakes (1990). Other film credits include Kelly's Heroes (1970) as Pvt. Petuko and Death Wish 4: The Crackdown (1987).
Lopez appeared in numerous television series, among them Star Trek (1966) as Lt. Esteban Rodriguez, Bonanza (1959), Mission: Impossible (1966) and Airwolf (1984). His career spanned over 40 years until his death from lung cancer on 14 February 2008 in Beverly Hills, California.
