Gregory Sierra
Known for: Acting
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
Series
The X-Files
Dr. Diamond
1993
Series
Columbo
Lou D'Allessandro
1971
Series
Hunter
Councilman Michael Elandro
1984
Series
Murder, She Wrote
Sanchez
1984
Series
Murder, She Wrote
Ramon
1984
Series
Murder, She Wrote
Moreno
1984
Series
Murder, She Wrote
Lieutenant Gabriel Caceras
1984
Series
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Entek
1993
Series
MacGyver
Colonel Antunnez
1985
Series
MacGyver
General Antonio Vasquez
1985
Series
MacGyver
Captain Diaz
1985
Series
Ironside
Billy Trona
1967
Series
Miami Vice
Lt. Lou Rodriguez
1984
Series
Magnum, P.I.
Miguel Torres
1980
Series
Hawaii Five-O
Lolo
1968
Series
Falcon Crest
FBI-Agent Taylor
1981
Series
Mission: Impossible
Fernando Laroca
1966
Series
Mission: Impossible
Gomal
1966
Series
Mission: Impossible
Prado's butler
1966
Series
Hill Street Blues
ADA Alvarez
1981
Series
Hill Street Blues
ADA Alvarez (archive footage) (uncredited)
1981
Series
The Waltons
Volta
1972
Series
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
Gen. Eli Parker
1993
Series
The Flying Nun
Officer Juarez
1967
Series
Quincy, M.E.
Rick Durado
1976
Series
Hart to Hart
Eduardo
1979
Series
Hart to Hart
Howard Castle
1979
Series
Airwolf
Frank Ochoa
1984
Series
Simon & Simon
Gregory Cable
1981
Series
Simon & Simon
Raul Gutierrez
1981
Series
Barney Miller
Miguel Amenguale
1975
Series
Ellen
General Colon
1994
Series
All in the Family
Paul Benjamin
1971
Series
Walker, Texas Ranger
Rafael Mendoza
1993
Series
Cagney & Lacey
Eddie 'Cleanhead' Stutz
1982
Series
Gunsmoke
Blue Jacket
1955
Series
Gunsmoke
Osuna
1955
Series
Medical Center
Mendez
1969
Series
Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction
Lyle Norman (segment "Rock & Roll Ears")
1997
Series
The High Chaparral
Arrigo
1967
Series
Lou Grant
Hector
1977
Series
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Hector
1990
Series
McCloud
1970
Series
McCloud
1st Deputy
1970
Series
Sanford and Son
Julio Fuentes
1972
Series
The Streets of San Francisco
Patrolman Burgers
1972
Series
Growing Pains
Dr. Paul Ramirez
1985
Series
Alias Smith and Jones
1971
Series
Police Story
1973
Series
The Ray Bradbury Theater
1985
Series
It Takes a Thief
Fletcher
1968
Series
The Mod Squad
Zamaron
1968
Series
Petrocelli
Rudolph Chavez
1974
Series
The Greatest American Hero
Sheriff Mark Vargas
1981
Series
Banacek
Norman Esposito
1972
Film
Hot Shots! Part Deux
The Captain
1993
Series
The Golden Palace
Rubin
1992
Series
The Bill Cosby Show
Mr. Sierra
1969
Series
Cover Up
1984
Film
Beneath the Planet of the Apes
Verger
1970
Film
The Towering Inferno
Carlos
1974
Film
Papillon
Antonio
1973
Film
Deep Cover
Felix Barbosa
1992
Film
Honey, I Blew Up the Kid
Terence Wheeler
1992
Series
Blue Thunder
Luis Creighton Acuna
1984
Series
Cassie & Co.
1982
FBI: The Untold Stories
Jimmy Chagra
1991
Series
Masquerade
Omani
1983
Film
Vampires
Father Giovanni
1998
Series
Hawkins
Prosecutor Denton
1973
Series
Banyon
Raoul Lopaca
1972
Series
Hunter
1977
Series
Shades of L.A.
1990
Series
Blacke's Magic
1986
Series
P.S. I Luv U
1991
Series
Thea
Mr. Guiterrez
1993
Film
The Other Side of the Wind
Jack Simon
2018
Series
The Gambler: The Adventure Continues
Silvera
1983
Film
Pocket Money
Chavarin (as Gregg Sierra)
1972
Series
Something Is Out There
Victor Maldonado
1988
Film
Jane Austen's Mafia!
Bonifacio
1998
Film
Miami Vice: Brother's Keeper
Lt. Lou Rodriguez
1984
Series
704 Hauser
1994
Film
A Low Down Dirty Shame
Captain Nunez
1994
Common Law
Luis Alvarez
1996
Series
Zorro and Son
Commandante Paco Pic
1983
Film
The Prisoner of Zenda
Count Montparnasse
1979
Film
The Laughing Policeman
Vickery
1973
Series
Evening in Byzantium
Fabricio
1978
Film
Let's Get Harry
Alphonso
1986
Series
Something Is Out There
Victor Maldonado
1988
Film
The Thief Who Came to Dinner
Dynamite Hector
1973
Series
A.E.S. Hudson Street
1978
Film
The Castaway Cowboy
Marruja
1974
Film
Getting Straight
Garcia
1970
Film
The Culpepper Cattle Co.
One-Eyed Horsethief
1972
Film
The Night They Took Miss Beautiful
Omar Welk
1977
Film
The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit
Villanazul
1998
Film
The Gambler: The Adventure Continues
Silvera
1983
Film
Where the Hell's That Gold?!!?
General
1988
Film
The Wrath of God
Jurado
1972
Film
Johnny 316
Kareem
1998
Film
The Clones
Nemo
1973
Film
Mean Dog Blues
Jesus Gonzalez
1978
Film
Weekend of Terror
Police Sergeant
1970
Film
The Trouble with Spies
Capt. Sanchez
1987
Film
Desperado: Badlands Justice
Jesus Gutierrez
1989
Film
Unspeakable Acts
Frank Fuster
1990
Film
Honky Tonk
Slade
1974
Film
Farrell: For the People
Det. Mike Rodriguez
1982
Film
Donor
Hector Aliosa
1990
Series
Kung Fu
Zolly
1972
Film
The Night the Bridge Fell Down
Diego Ramirez
1980
Film
Uncommon Valor
George Callender
1983
Film
Command 5
Delgado
1985
Antonio and the Mayor
Mayor Acambarros
1975
Film
Stingray
Anthony 'Tony' Mendosa
1985
Film
Her Secret Life
Vic 'The Dancer' Pena
1987
Film
Red Sky at Morning
Chamaco
1971
Film
300 Miles for Stephanie
Dr. Galfas
1981
Goodnight Jackie
Paul
1974
Film
Hearts of Hot Shots! Part Deux—A Filmmaker's Apology
1993
Film
Machismo: 40 Graves for 40 Guns
Lopez
1971