Cuban-American actor and director Tony Plana was born on April 19, 1954 in Havana, Cuba. His family moved to the United States in 1963, and from Miami, he moved to Los Angeles to study at the Loyola Marymount University. He also underwent training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. He has an extensive career in television, film and stage, starting his career in 1978 with a guest role in the television series What’s Happening! In 1979, he made his Broadway debut, playing the role of Rudy Reyna in the stage production of Zoot Suit, a role that he would later reprise in its 1981 film adaptation. In 1980, he made his film debut, appearing in the independent drama Seed of Innocence.
Plana’s many television credits include guest roles in programs such as Remington Steele, Hill Street Blues, Miami Vice, Hunter, Seinfeld, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Bakersfield P.D., Ally McBeal, The Drew Carey Show, City of Angels, John Doe, 24, CSI and Monk. He is also known for his many film roles, the most notable of which includes Three Amigos!, An Officer and a Gentleman, Lone Star, Konckout and Goal! He also has extensive credits as a voice actor, lending his voice to animated shows such as Extreme Ghostbusters and Godzilla: The Series, and to most, as the voice of Manny Calavera in the video game Grim Fandango.
Plana continued to be involved in acting and directing for stage. He remains active in the Los Angeles and New York theater communities, notably directing productions of Shakespeare plays aimed at minorities. He also teaches acting in two schools in California. With his busy schedule, he still manages to squeeze in regular television roles, the most recent being the title character’s father Ignacio Suarez in the ABC series Ugly Betty.