Award-winning actor Jimmy Smits was born on July 9, 1955 in New York City. Despite his American origins, he has very deep Puerto Rican roots; his mother came there, and worked as a nurse. The devout Catholic frequently visited the island during his childhood, and still does so now. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College in 1980; two years later, he left Cornell University with an MFA degree.
Smits began acting in the mid-1980s, with his earliest role being the original partner of Sonny Crockett (Don Johnson) in the pilot of Miami Vice. His character was slated to be killed off in that episode. He then quickly got a slot in the cast of the legal drama L.A. Law. From 1986 to 1992, he played Victor Silfuentes, the firm’s uptight pro bono lawyer. It earned him an Emmy for best supporting actor in 1990. In 1994, this was followed by a role in the police drama NYPD Blue. He entered the second season as Bobby Simone, the new partner of Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) after the sudden departure of his former partner John Kelly (David Caruso). It led to him winning a Golden Globe for best actor in 1996.
Smits began the 2000s with a role in the film Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. He starred as Bail Organa, a member of the Galactic Senate who eventually becomes the adoptive father of Princess Leia (earlier played by Carrie Fisher in the first three films). He reprised the role in the follow-up film, Revenge of the Sith, in 2005. He also continued appearing on prime time television, when he joined the cast of the political drama The West Wing as Mexican-American representative, and eventually president-elect, Matt Santos. Three years later, he took the lead role in the short-lived drama Cane, as adopted son and sugar business heir Alex Vega. The following year, he took a recurring role in the crime series Dexter, appearing as harsh assistant district attorney Miguel Prado.