Carlos-Manuel Vesga

Carlos-Manuel Vesga is a Colombian theater, film, and television actor known for his transition from architecture student to Emmy-nominated international performer. After earning a degree in architecture at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Vesga moved to New York City to study at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. While trained in Method acting, Vesga describes his approach as a "serious game," which has enabled him to portray a diverse range of characters throughout his career in acting.

Vesga began his professional career in Colombian television with the telenovela "Pobre Pablo" and developed a reputation as a character actor, often choosing roles outside the traditional leading-man mold. His breakthrough came with the series "Amor sincero," a biopic about singer Marbelle, where he played Samuel Medina. The role, depicting a father figure, became widely recognized in Colombia and earned Vesga the India Catalina Award for Best Leading Actor in a Telenovela. He continued to take on antagonist roles in series such as "La prepago" and "El Bronx." His film work includes the Colombian comedy "Soñar no cuesta nada" and the drama "La pena máxima."

Vesga's international recognition grew with roles in "News of a Kidnapping," the Amazon Prime Video adaptation of Gabriel García Márquez's book, where he portrayed former Colombian President César Gaviria, and in Netflix's survival thriller "The Hijacking of Flight 601" ("Secuestro del vuelo 601"), where he played the villain Francisco El Flaco Marulanda. The latter became one of the most-watched non-English language series on the platform. Vesga has also played multiple major villains simultaneously on Colombian television, contributing to his demand in Latin American screen drama.

A significant moment in Vesga's career came with his role in "Pluribus," the Apple TV+ science-fiction series created by Vince Gilligan. Vesga stars as Manousos Oviedo, a man in Paraguay who is immune to an alien virus affecting humanity. The character communicates primarily through physical action, marking a departure from Vesga's previous dialogue-driven roles. "Pluribus" became a highly viewed series on Apple TV+ and received 18 Emmy nominations, including Best Drama Series.

Vesga's portrayal of Manousos earned him a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series at the 78th Emmy Awards, making him one of a select group of Latin American actors recognized in a major acting category. This achievement places him alongside other Colombian actors such as Sofía Vergara and John Leguizamo, highlighting the increasing global presence of Latin American storytelling. Vesga's career spans theater in Bogotá to international television, characterized by artistic risk, disciplined craft, and a commitment to transformative performance.