Pepe Serna
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- July 23, 1944
- Birthplace
- Corpus Christi, Texas, USA
Durable Mexican-American actor Pepe Serna has appeared in more than 100 feature films and 300 television shows, but is most recognized for his gritty support performances in a variety of motion pictures, including Scarface (1983) as Al Pacino's ill-fated cocaine partner, as well as the western Silverado (1985) with Kevin Costner, the crime yarn The Rookie (1990) starring Clint Eastwood and Charlie Sheen, and the drama American Me (1992) starring Edward James Olmos. In a career surpassing five decades, Pepe's characters have played on both sides of the law -- from drug peddlers to sheriffs. He was born (and raised) in Corpus Christi, Texas on July 23, 1944, the son of a naval base interpreter for Latin American pilots and a hairdresser. His desires to become an actor happened early in life, moving to Hollywood in 1969 to finally pursue his dreams. He didn't have to wait long to find steady Latino work on film and TV. Making an inauspicious debut in the exploitation film The Student Nurses (1970), Pepe found more "A" quality work after being discovered by producer Hal B. Wallis for the coming-of-age film Tim Belcher starring Richard Thomas and Catherine Burns and the western Shoot Out (1971) starring Gregory Peck. Specializing in urban, streetwise roles, he went on to mix a number of popular films (The New Centurions (1972), The Day of the Locust (1975), Car Wash (1976), A Force of One (1979), Walk Proud (1979), Honeysuckle Rose (1980), Inside Moves (1980), Deal of the Century (1983), Red Dawn (1984), Caddyshack II (1988)) with a slew of popular TV crime dramas such as "Mannix," "Police Story," "Adam-12," "The Rookies," "The Rockford Files," "Baretta," "Kojak," "CHiPs," "Barney Miller," "Scarecrow & Mrs. King," "T.J. Hooker," "Simon & Simon," "Hill Street Blues," "Miami Vice," "Cagney & Lacey" and "Diagnosis Murder." Long married to wife Diane, Pepe is a noted keynote teacher and motivational speaker who tours colleges and universities. His strong sideline as a painter has been met with critical success, having been commissioned quite frequently. His vibrant paintings and one-man stage shows reflect a serious return to his Mexican roots and was the subject of the 2015 short documentary "Life Is Art."
Filmography
Cuento de Navidad TBA
as Sr. Ebenezer Scrooge
- Three Years Gone
Three Years Gone 2026
Actor
- Disco Beats
Disco Beats 2025
as Lou
Say a Little Prayer 2024
Actor
Moe 2023
Actor
Flamin' Hot 2023
as Abuelito
Green Ghost and the Masters of the Stone 2022
as Rancher
The Planters 2019
as Jesús
The Margarita Man 2019
as Jose Martinez
From the Dead 2019
as Rodrigo, Associate Producer
Flavor of Life 2019
Actor
Downsizing 2017
as Señor Cárdenas
Lowriders 2017
as Pepe
Monday Nights at Seven 2016
as Paul
Under Water: Dive Deep 2016
as Lil' Big Me
Restored Me 2016
as Manny
Superpowerless 2016
as Dr. George Holst
Kill or Be Killed 2016
as Rudy Goebel, Associate Producer
Aguruphobia 2015
as Nanak, Co-Producer
Road to Juarez 2015
as Fortunato
Ana Maria in Novela Land 2015
as Father Miguel
Cake 2014
as Nuncio
Man from Reno 2014
as Paul Del Moral
White on Rice 2009
as Professor Berk
The Black Dahlia 2006
as Dos Santos
The Virgin of Juarez 2006
as Eduardo Morales
Big Dreams Little Tokyo 2006
as Mr. Gonzalez
Latin Dragon 2004
as Hector Sanchez
Exposed 2003
as Raoul
Deadly Swarm 2003
as Commandante Alvarez
Along for the Ride 2001
as Dr. Sanchez
Daybreak 2000
as Herman Ortiz
The Princess and the Barrio Boy 2000
as Bum
Bread and Roses 2000
as Restaurateur
Picking Up the Pieces 2000
as Florencio
Luminarias 2000
Actor
The Brave 1997
as Alessandro
Land of Milk & Honey 1995
as Danny
In the Flesh 1995
as Harlan Ramirez
A Million to Juan 1994
as Mr. Ortiz
Jonny's Golden Quest 1993
as Agent Menendez (voice)
Only You 1992
as Dock Official
American Me 1992
as Mundo
Conagher 1991
Actor
The Rookie 1990
as Lt. Ray Garcia
Postcards from the Edge 1990
as Raoul
Bad Jim 1990
as Virgilio Segura
The Forgotten 1989
as Sgt. Pepe Gutierrez
Break of Dawn 1988
as Hector
Caddyshack II 1988
as Carlos
Human Error 1988
Actor
The Three Kings 1987
as Alex Sweetwood
Out of Bounds 1986
as Murano
Streets of Justice 1985
as Det. Almos
Fandango 1985
as Gas Station Mechanic
Red Dawn 1984
as Aardvark's Father
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension 1984
as Reno Nevada
Best Kept Secrets 1984
as Jim Ramos
Scarface 1983
as Angel
Deal of the Century 1983
as Vardis
The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez 1983
as Romaldo Cortez
Heartbreaker 1983
as Loco
White Water Rebels 1983
as Harry Cutter
Seguin 1982
as Manuel Flores
Vice Squad 1982
as Pete Mendez
Joe Dancer II: The Monkey Mission 1981
as Vito
300 Miles for Stephanie 1981
as Bobby Hernandez
Inside Moves 1980
as Herrada
Honeysuckle Rose 1980
as Rooster
City in Fear 1980
as Raymond Zavala
The Jerk 1979
as Punk #1
The Streets of L.A. 1979
as Sgt. Castro
Walk Proud 1979
as Cesar
A Force of One 1979
as Orlando
Roots of Blood 1979
as Juan
Tarantulas: The Deadly Cargo 1977
as Migrant Worker (uncredited)
Car Wash 1976
as Chuco
The Killer Inside Me 1976
as Johnny Lopez
Swashbuckler 1976
as Street Entertainer
The Deadly Tower 1975
as Mano
The Day of the Locust 1975
as Miguel
The Desperate Miles 1975
as Ruiz
The Gun 1974
as Natcho
The Last Angry Man 1974
as Charlie Parelli
Miracle on 34th Street 1973
as Y Leader
Group Marriage 1973
as Ramon
The New Centurions 1972
as Young Mexican Man
Johnny Got His Gun 1971
as Jose (uncredited)
Shoot Out 1971
as Pepe
The Student Nurses 1970
as Luis
Credits from TMDB.