
Sal Lopez
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- November 8, 1954
- Birthplace
- Mexico
Sal Lopez (also Sal López) is a Mexican-American actor and producer, born on November 8, 1954, in Mexico. He grew up in a bilingual home in South Central Los Angeles, the second of eight boys born to immigrant parents. He is a founding member of The Latino Theater Company, where he has co-created theater for over 38 years, and a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He is married to Urbanie Lucero and has two children, residing in Silver Lake, Los Angeles. Lopez started his career after landing a key role in the hit play Zoot Suit (1982), which led to an open call by Stanley Kubrick for Full Metal Jacket (1987), in which he played T.H.E. Rock. Other notable film credits include American Me (1992, as Edward James Olmos's father), Selena (1997), Silver City (2004, directed by John Sayles), The Astronaut Farmer (2007, with Billy Bob Thornton), Logan (2017), Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), and F1 (2025). His television credits span Nip/Tuck, CSI, ER, NYPD Blue, Melrose Place, The Shield, Westworld, and Queen of the South. On stage, Lopez has performed in numerous productions with The Latino Theater Company, including one-man shows like This Is A Man's World, Premeditation, and August 29th, and the lead in La Virgen Dios Inantzin, performed annually at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. He has received an ALMA Award for Outstanding Individual Performance and a DramaLogue Award, and produced and starred in the independent film Luminarias (1999).
Filmography

Kubrick's War: The Making of Full Metal Jacket TBA
as Self - T.H.E. Rock, Full Metal Jacket

You Know I Love You 2026
as Abuelo

The Rip 2026
as Mr. Zeltzin

Atropia 2025
as Jerry Jiminez

Roses on the Vine 2025
as Mr. Rodriguez

F1 2025
as Baja Old Timer

Delfino's Journey 2025
as Abuelo

Baby Blue 2025
as Bud

Seven Cemeteries 2024
as Abuelo

Moe 2023
Actor

Centurion: The Dancing Stallion 2023
as Jorge Rodriquez

The Hyperions 2022
as Delano

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever 2022
as Yucatan Elder

The Old Ways 2021
as Javi

Spiked 2021
as Jose

The Devil Has a Name 2019
as Farmhand 1

Chalino 2019
as Don Chente

Culture Shock 2019
as Coyote

El Chicano 2019
as El Gallo

Acuitzeramo 2019
as Salvador

Velvet Buzzsaw 2019
as Roadside Vendor

Monday Nights at Seven 2016
as Jorge

Road to Juarez 2015
as Manuel

An Evergreen Christmas 2014
as Jose

Go for Sisters 2013
as Morales
- Addicto de Salsa
Addicto de Salsa 2009
Actor

Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2008
as Ring Announcer

American Son 2008
as Cristina's Father

The Astronaut Farmer 2007
as Pepe Garcia

Lost in Plainview 2006
as Roberto

ESL: English as a Second Language 2005
as Pepe

El padrino: The Latin Godfather 2004
as Loco

Silver City 2004
as Tony Guerra

Paparazzi 2004
as Mexican Man

Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman 2003
as Additional Voices (voice)

The Banger Sisters 2002
as Pump Attendant

Hunter: Return to Justice 2002
as Chuck "Jumpy" Lopez

Hammerlock 2002
as Ward Clemson

Missing Pieces 2001
as Castillo

Price of Glory 2000
as Hector Salmon

Luminarias 2000
Actor, Producer

Flypaper 1999
as Leon

Nightman 1997
as Mr. Alvarez

The End of Violence 1997
as Tito

Out to Sea 1997
as Mexican Dancer

Selena 1997
as Juan Luis

After the SIlence 1996
as John Sanchez

Journey 1995
as Boone

...And the Earth Did Not Swallow Him 1995
as El Mohado

There Goes My Baby 1994
as Chicano

Blue Tiger 1994
as Luis

Mr. Jones 1993
as Henry

River of Rage: The Taking of Maggie Keene 1993
as Paco

Return of the Living Dead III 1993
as Felipe

From the Files of Joseph Wambaugh: A Jury of One 1992
as Alfredo Ramirez

Cold Heaven 1992
as Young Doctor

American Me 1992
as Pedro Santana

Lookwell 1991
as Manny

El Diablo 1990
as Sentry

Cartel 1990
as Steve Rodriguez / Bill Matthews

Down the Drain 1990
as Chico

Pucker Up and Bark Like a Dog 1989
as Carlos

Corridos! Tales of Passion and Revolution 1987
as Juan, el Diablo

Born in East L.A. 1987
as What's Happening Boy

Full Metal Jacket 1987
as T.H.E. Rock

Million Dollar Mystery 1987
as Hijacker

Get Out of My Room 1985
as Illegal Alien (segment 'Born In East L.A.')

The Glitter Dome 1984
as Chuey Verdugio

Zoot Suit 1981
as Hobo

Midnight Madness 1980
as Blade - Blue Team
Credits from TMDB.