Born on February 19, 1967, in San German, PR. Raised in Santurce, PR. Moved to Mercersburg, PA at 13 and went to Mercersburg Academy.

University of California at San Diego. Changed major to acting so he could audition for a role in a school production. Decided to pursue acting full time so he left school and moved to New York City. Studied at Circle in the Square Theatre School in New York. Won a scholarship to The Stella Adler Conservatory of Acting where he studied for three-four years.

After two years in Los Angeles, he got his first job as a guest star on Miami Vice. Cast as lead in the play, Orphans. Casting director saw him and asked him to audition for a role in Licence To Kill.

In 2000 he played Mexican cop Javier Rodriguez Rodriguez in Steven Soderbergh's drug smuggling drama Traffic; the role won Del Toro a Screen Actors Guild award, a Golden Globe, and finally the Academy Award as best supporting actor. His other films include Snatch (2000) starring Brad Pitt; The Hunted (2003) opposite Tommy Lee Jones; 21 Grams (2004) opposite Sean Penn and Naomi Watts; and Sin City (2005) starred alongside Jessica Alba and Bruce Willis.

His interests are painting, listening to music and daydreaming.

Filmography

• The Wolfman (2008)
• The Argentine (2008)
• Guerrilla (2008)
• Things We Lost in the Fire (2007)
• Trailer for a Remake of Gore Vidal's Caligula (2005)
• Sin City (2005)
• 21 Grams (2003)
• The Hunted (2003)
• The Pledge (2001)
• Traffic (2000)
• The Way of the Gun (2000)
• Snatch. (2000)
• Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
• Excess Baggage (1997)
• The Funeral (1996)
• The Fan (1996)
• Basquiat (1996)
• Joyride (1996)
• "Fallen Angels" (1 episode, 1995)
• The Usual Suspects (1995)
• "Tales from the Crypt" (1 episode, 1994)
• Swimming with Sharks (1994)
• China Moon (1994)
• Fearless (1993)
• Huevos de oro (1993)
• Money for Nothing (1993)
• Christopher Columbus: The Discovery (1992)
• The Indian Runner (1991)
• Madonna: The Immaculate Collection (1990)
• "Drug Wars: The Camarena Story" (1990) (mini) TV Series
• Licence to Kill (1989)
• Big Top Pee-wee (1988)
• "Private Eye" (1 episode, 1987)
• "Miami Vice" (1 episode, 1987)

Awards

• Sundance Film Festival Piper-Heidsieck Tribute to Independent Vision 2002
• BAFTA Award Best Supporting Actor "Traffic" 2001
• Berlin Film Festival Silver Bear for Best Actor "Traffic" 2001
• Chicago Film Critics Award Best Supporting Actor "Traffic" 2001
• Oscar Best Supporting Actor "Traffic" 2001
• The Actor Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role "Traffic" 2001
• The Actor Outstanding Performance by the Cast of a Theatrical Motion Picture "Traffic" 2001
• Florida Film Critics Award Best Supporting Actor "Traffic" 2000
• Golden Globe Award Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture "Traffic" 2000
• Las Vegas Film Critics Award Best Supporting Actor "Traffic" 2000
• National Society of Film Critics Award Best Supporting Actor "Traffic" 2000
• New York Film Critics Award Best Supporting Actor "Traffic" 2000
• Online Film Critics Society Award Best Supporting Actor "Traffic" 2000
• San Diego Film Critics Award Best Supporting Actor "Traffic" 2000
• Southeastern Film Critics Association Award Best Supporting Actor "Traffic" 2000
• Toronto Film Critics Association Award Best Actor "Traffic" 2000
• Independent Spirit Award Best Supporting Male "Basquiat" 1996
• Independent Spirit Award Best Supporting Male "The Usual Suspects" 1995