Rubén Blades
Known for: Acting
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Rubén Blades Bellido de Luna (born July 16, 1948) is a Panamanian salsa singer, songwriter, lawyer, actor, Latin jazz musician, and politician, performing musically most often in the Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz genres. As songwriter, Blades brought the lyrical sophistication of Central American nueva canción and Cuban nueva trova as well as experimental tempos and political inspired Nuyorican salsa to his music, creating thinking persons' (salsa) dance music. Blades has composed dozens of musical hits, the most famous of which is "Pedro Navaja," a song about a neighborhood thug who appears to die during a robbery (his song "Sorpresas" continues the story), inspired by "Mack the Knife." He also composed and sings what many Panamanians consider their second national anthem. The song is titled "Patria" (Fatherland). He is an icon in Panama and is much admired throughout Latin America, and managed to attract 18% of the vote in his failed attempt to win the Panamanian presidency in 1994. In September 2004, he was appointed minister of tourism by Panamanian president Martín Torrijos for a five-year term. He holds a law degree from the University of Panama and a master's in international law from Harvard University. He is married to singer Luba Mason. Description above from the Wikipedia article Rubén Blades, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Filmography
Series
The X-Files
Conrad Lozano
1993
Series
Late Night with David Letterman
Self - Musical Guest
1982
Series
Fear the Walking Dead
Daniel Salazar
2015
Film
Predator 2
Danny Archuleta
1990
Film
The Counselor
Jefe
2013
Film
Safe House
Carlos Villar
2012
Film
The Devil's Own
Edwin Diaz
1997
Film
Color of Night
Hector
1994
Film
Once Upon a Time in Mexico
Jorge, Retired FBI Agent
2003
Series
Latin Grammy Awards
Self
2000
Series
Gideon's Crossing
Dr. Max Cabranes
2000
Series
Las Lunas del Auditorio
Self
2002
Film
Hands of Stone
Carlos Eleta
2016
Film
All the Pretty Horses
Rocha
2000
Film
Outlaws - For Greater Glory
Président Calles
2012
Film
Campeón Gabacho
2026
Film
Mo' Better Blues
Petey
1990
Film
The Two Jakes
Mickey Nice
1990
Film
Cradle Will Rock
Diego Rivera
1999
Arthouse
Self
1997
Film
Imagining Argentina
Silvio Ayala
2003
Film
Chinese Box
Jim
1997
Film
The Milagro Beanfield War
Sheriff Bernabe Montoya
1988
Film
Assassination Tango
Miguel
2003
Film
Critical Condition
Louis
1987
Film
Life with Mikey
Angie's Dad (uncredited)
1993
Film
Bajañí
Self
2026
Film
The Super
Marlon
1991
Film
Disorganized Crime
Carlos Barrios
1989
Film
Fatal Beauty
Carl Jimenez
1987
Film
Scorpion Spring
Border Patrolman Sam Zaragosa
1996
Film
Nueva York: A Musical History of Latin New York
Self (archive footage)
2021
Film
The Josephine Baker Story
Count Giuseppe Pepito Abatino
1991
Film
Raúl Juliá: The World’s a Stage
Self
2019
Film
One Man’s War
Perrone
1991
Film
John Leguizamo's Latin History for Morons
Self
2018
Film
Miracle on Interstate 880
Pastor Beruman
1993
Film
Ruben Blades Is Not My Name
Self
2018
Film
Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple
Self
2024
Film
El accidente feliz
Self (Archive Footage)
2020
Músicos de Latinoamérica
Self
2011
Film
Homeboy
Doctor
1988
Film
Crazy From the Heart
Ernesto Ontiveros
1991
Armadillo United
Coach Yepez
Film
The Making of Sun City
Self
1985
Film
Spin
Ernesto
2003
Film
The Hunters and the Hunted: The Making of 'Predator 2'
Self (archive footage)
2005
Film
The Lemon Sisters
C.W.
1989
Film
A Million to Juan
Bartender
1994
The Heart of the Deal
1990
Film
Red Pill
Rocky
2021
Pa'l Pueblo: Fania for the People
Self
Film
Somos un solo pueblo
Self
1995
Film
Dead Man Out
Ben
1989
Film
Spoken Word
Cruz-Sr.
2009
Film
The Maldonado Miracle
Cruz
2003
Porto Rico
Film
Secuestro Express
Carla's Father
2004
Film
Lo mejor de nuestra música popular: 15 años de éxitos
Self
2007
Film
Beats of the Heart: Salsa
Self
1979
Film
Las caras lindas de Tite Curet
Self
2002
From Son to Salsa
1997
A Roll of the Dice: The Capeman on Broadway
1998
Film
Salsa Lives
Ruben Blades
2025
Film
The Return of Rubén Blades
himself
1985
Al compás de un sentimiento: la música de Pedro Flores
1996
Film
The Last Fight
Andy "Kid" Clave
1983
Film
Rubén Blades: un Rey de la salsa
Self
1982
¡Sonó, Sonó… Tite Curet!
2011
Film
En mi país
Self
2004
Film
Stay Homas. The Band That Shouldn’t Exist
Self - Singer
2024
Film
Yo soy la salsa
2014
Film
The Next Season
Benito
2011
Film
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades - Live In Venezuela
Rubén Blades
1998
Rubén Blades: Todos Vuelven Live, Vol. 2
2011
Rabbit Ears - Joseph and His Brothers
Narrator (voice)
1991
Crossover Dreams
Rudy Veloz
1985
Rubén Blades: Todos Vuelven Live, Vol. 1
2011
Encuentro
2002
Film
Invasion
Self
2014
La clave
2008