Jimmy Smits

Jimmy Smits is an Emmy award-winning American actor of Puerto Rican descent. He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 1990 for his role in "L.A. Law" and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama for his role on "NYPD Blue." Smits has also been nominated for several other Emmy Awards for his performances in various television series and won a Saturn Award for Best Guest Starring Role on Television for his appearance in "Dexter".

Smits has had significant roles in popular TV shows such as "NYPD Blue," "The West Wing," "Sons of Anarchy," as well as the NBC drama series "Bluff City Law" in which he played Elijah Strait. He also reprised his role as Bail Organa in the "Star Wars" franchise, including "Obi-Wan Kenobi" (2022), and appeared in the 2021 film "In the Heights" as Kevin Rosario. Notably, on June 4, 2021, Smits was awarded the 2,696th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In addition to his acting career, Smits has served as a host for major events, such as the Latin Grammy Awards in 2001. He is also recognized for his advocacy for Latino representation in the arts, having co-founded the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts to advance the presence of Latinos in the media, telecommunications, and entertainment industries. His work has been acknowledged with the Ackerman Leadership Award for championing bilingual and bicultural mental health and social services for Latino families, and in 1999, he received the HOLA Award for Excellence from the Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors.