For Hispanic Heritage Month 2024, The Actors Society recognizes the achievements of both up-and-coming voices and established artists. To round out our coverage of the month, The Actors Society revisits the careers of four hard-working, multi-talented alumni belonging to the Latinx community.
Stay tuned with us on social media and The Academy Pages to stay up-to-date with your alumni community!
Arturo Castro
Seen across a number of productions in recent years, including The Menu and The Terminal List, Arturo Castro (‘07) has kept busy. He is set to appear in the highly anticipated Tron: Ares, slated for release in October 2025, where he shares the screen with stars such as Hasan Minhaj, Jeff Bridges, Jared Leto, Evan Peters, and Gillian Anderson. This next installment of the Tron franchise will explore the evolving interaction between AI and humans. Castro’s involvement in a high-profile sci-fi film marks yet another significant milestone in his career.
In addition to his upcoming role in Tron: Ares, Castro played a prominent role in the remake of Road House, which premiered in March of this year. Castro expressed his excitement about working with a cast that included Jake Gyllenhaal and Billy Magnussen. These projects further cemented Castro’s position as a versatile actor, continuing an upward career trajectory begun by earlier roles in Broad City and Narcos.
Jessica Pimentel
In the mid-2010s, Jessica Pimentel (‘99) was thrust into the spotlight when she portrayed Maria Ruiz in Orange is the New Black, the Netflix drama that captivated audiences for seven seasons. The Brooklyn-born artist has credits in the Law & Order franchise spanning a decade, four episodes of Person of Interest, and the Off-Broadway production of Jasper.
The artist balances a dual career in acting and music: she has contributed lead vocals for the death metal band Alekhine’s Gun while being heavily involved with Brujeria, a metal band hailing from Los Angeles.
In 2023, she appeared in Blue Bloods as Laura Acosta and The Horror of Dolores Roach, playing the recurring role of Flora Frias.
Vico Ortiz
In 2022, Vico Ortiz (‘11) landed their breakout role in the hit TV series Our Flag Means Death, slipping into the role of non-binary pirate Jim Jimenez. The show, which initially flew under the radar, has since become a sleeper hit. Ortiz reprised their prominent role for season two, which premiered in October 2023, solidifying their presence as a critical figure in the series.
Ortiz has lent their voice to iconic characters such as Tefé Holland in Harley Quinn and roles in Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake. An advocate for better working conditions in Hollywood, Ortiz played an active role in the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, pushing for equitable pay and improved industry standards. They also use their platform to champion LGBTQ+ representation in entertainment, frequently addressing the need for diversity and inclusivity in media.
Michael Irby
Michael Irby (‘95) has made a significant mark in both film and television in recent years, with standout performances earning him widespread acclaim. He is perhaps best known for bringing Obispo “Bishop” Losa to life in Mayans M.C., the popular FX series centered around a motorcycle gang. Irby’s intense and commanding presence in the role helped solidify his status as a formidable actor within the crime-drama genre, capturing the complexities of his character and contributing to the show’s success.
Beyond Mayans M.C., Irby showcased his versatility on the critically acclaimed HBO series Barry, where he played Cristobal Sifuentes. His performance in the dark comedy allowed him to flex his comedic talents while still delivering the emotional depth audiences have come to expect. Most recently, Irby joined the cast of The Lincoln Lawyer for its third season, further demonstrating his dynamic range as an actor.
Congratulations to Adriana Llabres (‘09), who received the Ariel Award for Best Actress at this year’s ceremony. Stay tuned for additional coverage exclusive to The Actors Society.
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