Manny Pérez
Manuel Pérez Batista is a Dominican American actor who has appeared in the television series Third Watch and in the film Washington Heights. He is the cousin of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Junot Diaz.
Life and career
Pérez was born in Baitoa, Santiago, Dominican Republic and currently lives in Washington Heights, Manhattan.Pérez is one of 11 siblings. By the time Pérez finished high school, Manny knew he wanted to be an actor, he moved to New York City where he majored in drama at Marymount Manhattan College, graduating in 1992.
He has also studied at Ensemble Studio Theatre and is a member of the LAByrinth Theatre Company, in New York City.
After his performance on the film Washington Heights which he also co-wrote and produced, Manny garnered praise from many critics.
The New York Times stated "Mr. Perez has charisma to burn." He won the 2002 Best Actor Award at The Milan International Film Festival in Italy for his performance in Washington Heights.
Pérez was the first ever member of his family to get a university degree.
At the Santo Domingo Invita show Pérez was honored as one of the most prominent Dominican actors in the United States.
In November 2007 Pérez was honored in the Dominican Film Festival held in Puerto Plata along with Dania Ramirez for his humanitarian work in the Dominican Republic. When Pérez received the award he said that his first pair of shoes were given to him at the age of 5 by his father and that he only wore them to go to Mass on Sundays. Pérez also said that when he first got to the United States he was really fat and that he didn't know why since he was poor and didn't eat well until his mother took him to the doctor where they found out that his stomach was full of hookworms that got into his body through his feet since he would always walk barefoot. Pérez donated 10,000 shoes to families who lost everything after Hurricane Noel swept across the Dominican Republic.
In 2012 he was elected by Luz García's Noche de Luz programme as a "Summer's Hot Body".
Filmography
Films and television series that Pérez has appeared in include:| Title | Year | Role |
| Veneno | 2018 | Jack Veneno |
| The Blacklist | 2016 | Johan Halbeck |
| Homeland | 2013 | El Niño |
| El Rey de Najayo | 2012 | Julián López |
| Forged | 2010 | Chuco |
| Criminal Minds | 2010 | Manny |
| Cold Case | 2010 | Tut |
| La Soga | 2009 | Luisito |
| A Kiss of Chaos | 2009 | Tony |
| Sanctified | 2008 | |
| Ego | 2008 | Cupola |
| Nothing like the Holidays | 2008 | Alexis |
| Coming Soon... | 2007 | Javier |
| The Ministers | 2007 | Det. Manso |
| Pride and Glory | 2008 | Coco Dominguez |
| Rockaway | 2007 | Antwan |
| Illegal Tender | 2007 | Wilson DeLeon Sr. |
| Tracks of Color | 2007 | George Martinez |
| Rescue Me | 2006–2007 | Luis |
| Amexicano | 2007 | Diego |
| Where God Left His Shoes | 2007 | Luis |
| ' | 2002–2007 | CSU Tech |
| Yellow | 2006 | Angelo |
| El Cantante | 2006 | Eddie |
| Bella | 2006 | Manny |
| Night Stalker | 2005 | Caleca |
| Third Watch | 2005 | Manny Santiago |
| Dragnet | 2004 | Sergio |
| ' | 2004 | Manny Orantes |
| The Breakup Artist | 2004 | Carlos |
| Party Monster | 2003 | Johnny |
| 2002 | Jorge Galvez | |
| Washington Heights | 2002 | Carlos |
| King Rikki | 2002 | Jorge Ortega |
| 100 Centre Street | 2001–2002 | Ramon Rodriguez |
| Brother | 2000 | Mexican Mafia Hitman |
| Dinner Rush | 2000 | Gabriel |
| Rude Awakening | 1999 | Jesus |
| On the Q.T. | 1999 | Aurelio |
| Brooklyn South | 1998 | 1 episode |
| Neto's Run | 1998 | Neto |
| Chick Flick | 1998 | |
| Stick Up | 1997 | Eddie |
| Sleeping Together | 1997 | Carlos |
| Bullet | 1996 | Flaco |
| Courage Under Fire | 1996 | Jenkins |
| New York Undercover | 1994–1996 | Tony |
| NYPD Blue | 1995 | Tonio |
| Crooklyn | 1994 | Hector |
| Nyû Yôku no koppu | 1993 | Tito |