Gregory Sierra
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- January 25, 1937
- Died
- January 4, 2021
- Birthplace
- New York City, New York, USA
Gregory Sierra (January 25, 1937 – January 4, 2021) was a distinguished American actor, celebrated for his versatility and powerful presence on both television and film. Born on January 25, 1937, in New York City's Spanish Harlem, Sierra was of Puerto Rican descent and faced a challenging upbringing after being abandoned by his parents and raised by an aunt. Despite his early hardships, he found a path to acting after impressing at an impromptu audition for an acting school in Manhattan. Sierra's career began on stage, notably with the National Shakespeare Company and performances at the New York Shakespeare Festival. He transitioned to television in the late 1960s and quickly became a familiar face, first gaining major attention as Julio Fuentes, the memorable Puerto Rican neighbor on Sanford and Son, and then as Detective Sergeant Chano Amengual on Barney Miller—two roles that remain among his most enduring contributions to classic TV. Sierra's roster of work included appearances on The Flying Nun, Soap, Miami Vice, Hill Street Blues, Zorro and Son, and scores of guest roles on popular series such as All in the Family, The X-Files, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. His film credits span genres and decades, featuring roles in Beneath the Planet of the Apes, Papillon, The Towering Inferno, and Deep Cover. Gregory Sierra was admired for bringing depth, nuance, and authenticity to every character he portrayed, endearing him to fans and earning the respect of peers. He passed away on January 4, 2021, in Laguna Woods, California, leaving behind a rich legacy in entertainment that spanned nearly fifty years.
Filmography
The Other Side of the Wind 2018
as Jack Simon
Vampires 1998
as Father Giovanni
Jane Austen's Mafia! 1998
as Bonifacio
Johnny 316 1998
as Kareem
The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit 1998
as Villanazul
A Low Down Dirty Shame 1994
as Captain Nunez
Hot Shots! Part Deux 1993
as The Captain
Hearts of Hot Shots! Part Deux—A Filmmaker's Apology 1993
Actor
Honey, I Blew Up the Kid 1992
as Terence Wheeler
Deep Cover 1992
as Felix Barbosa
Donor 1990
as Hector Aliosa
Unspeakable Acts 1990
as Frank Fuster
Desperado: Badlands Justice 1989
as Jesus Gutierrez
Where the Hell's That Gold?!!? 1988
as General
The Trouble with Spies 1987
as Capt. Sanchez
Her Secret Life 1987
as Vic 'The Dancer' Pena
Let's Get Harry 1986
as Alphonso
Command 5 1985
as Delgado
Stingray 1985
as Anthony 'Tony' Mendosa
Miami Vice: Brother's Keeper 1984
as Lt. Lou Rodriguez
The Gambler: The Adventure Continues 1983
as Silvera
Uncommon Valor 1983
as George Callender
Farrell: For the People 1982
as Det. Mike Rodriguez
300 Miles for Stephanie 1981
as Dr. Galfas
The Night the Bridge Fell Down 1980
as Diego Ramirez
The Prisoner of Zenda 1979
as Count Montparnasse
Mean Dog Blues 1978
as Jesus Gonzalez
The Night They Took Miss Beautiful 1977
as Omar Welk
- Antonio and the Mayor
Antonio and the Mayor 1975
as Mayor Acambarros
The Towering Inferno 1974
as Carlos
The Castaway Cowboy 1974
as Marruja
Honky Tonk 1974
as Slade
- Goodnight Jackie
Goodnight Jackie 1974
as Paul
The Laughing Policeman 1973
as Vickery
Papillon 1973
as Antonio
The Clones 1973
as Nemo
The Thief Who Came to Dinner 1973
as Dynamite Hector
The Wrath of God 1972
as Jurado
The Culpepper Cattle Co. 1972
as One-Eyed Horsethief
Pocket Money 1972
as Chavarin (as Gregg Sierra)
Machismo: 40 Graves for 40 Guns 1971
as Lopez
Red Sky at Morning 1971
as Chamaco
Weekend of Terror 1970
as Police Sergeant
Getting Straight 1970
as Garcia
Beneath the Planet of the Apes 1970
as Verger
Credits from TMDB.