Manny Montana (born September 26, 1983) is an American actor. Born and raised in Long Beach, California, he started his career in 2008 and is best known for his character Rio in the series Good Girls.

Manny Montana
Born (1983-09-26) September 26, 1983 (age 41)
Alma materCalifornia State University, Long Beach
OccupationActor
Years active2008–present
SpouseAdelfa Marr
Children1

Early life and education

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Manny Montana was born and raised in Long Beach, California. After graduating from Jordan High School, Montana got a football scholarship to California State University Sacramento, but quit after an arm injury and dislocating his shoulder for the eighth time. He transferred to California State University, Long Beach to major in Journalism and Broadcasting. He worked as a DJ in the school's student-radio station, which landed him an intern position at Power 100.3.[1] He is a first generation Mexican-American.[2]

Career

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After graduating in 2006, Montana acted in a number of student films which eventually led him to guest star in single episodes of various television series.[1] In 2012, Montana was cast as Johnny "J.T." Turturro in Graceland. In regards to fan reaction to the show, he stated: "Being cast on a regular procedural, where everything gets wrapped up by the end of the episode was always a fear of mine because that doesn't really test you as an actor. On this show, every week we're playing somebody different, there's great dialogue, I love my co-stars, it's fun to be at work and I think the fans are seeing that. Regardless of whether they like the show or not, I think they like the cast and the dynamic we have together."[3]

In 2015, Montana appeared in Michael Mann's Blackhat as Lozano, a "wanted criminal". Montana auditioned for a lead role and did not receive it, but got offered a supporting role.[4][5]

From 2018 to 2021, he was a member of the main cast of Good Girls as Rio. The show was cancelled after four seasons. In 2021, Montana appeared in one episode of the television show All American, portraying coach Dante Smart. In April 2022, it was announced that Montana would join season four of the show Mayans M.C., as a member of the Yuma Mayans.[6]

Personal life

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Montana is married to Adelfa Marr, with whom he has one child. Marr is a life coach providing services digitally. The couple keeps their life private and their child away from the public.[7][8]

Filmography

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Film
Year Film Role Notes
2008 El Primo Luis Short
2008 East L.A. Alex Guzman
2008 Sanctuary Ramirez
2009 Detached Manuel Sabatar
2009 Road to Moloch Martinez Short
2009 Maria de Covina Manuel Batista Short
2010 30 Is the New 12 Paco Short
2011 The Ghost of Crenshaw Terence Simmons Short
2012 Atonal Young Fighter Short
2012 Courageous Alexander Short
2013 Go for Sisters Tenoch
2015 Blackhat Alonso Reyes
2015 Hacker Lozano
2016 Undrafted Zapata
2018 The Mule Axl
2020 I Hate the Man in My Basement Logan
Television
Year Title Role Notes
2008 ER Football Orderly Episode: "Heal Thyself"
2008 Eleventh Hour Vasquez Episode: "Surge"
2009 Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles Hector Episode: "Some Must Watch While Some Must Sleep"
2009 Raising the Bar Romeo Vasquez Episode: "I'll Be Down to Get You in a Taxi, Honey"
2009 Cold Case Francisco Ariza Episode: "Officer Down"
2010 Lie to Me Dax Episode: "Delinquent"
2011 The Chicago Code Antonio Betz 2 episodes
2011 Chase Matt Nestor Episode: "Roundup"
2011 Breakout Kings Cesar Vega Episode: "Where in the World Is Carmen Vega"
2011 CSI: NY Off. Glen Cates Episode: "Officer Involved"
2012 Cybergeddon Frank Porter 2 episodes
2013–2015 Graceland Johnny Tuturro Main cast
2013 Grimm David Florez Episode: "El Cucuy"
2014 Power Miguel Episode: "Not Exactly How We Planned"
2015 NCIS: LA Diego Salazar Episode: "The Long Goodbye"
2015 The Following Luis Serra Episode: "The Hunt"
2016 Lucifer Javier Junior Episode: "Pops"
2016–2017 Conviction Franklin "Frankie" Cruz Main cast, 13 episodes
2017 Rosewood Marcos Villa Recurring cast, 5 episodes
2017–2018 Miles from Tomorrowland Zeno Voice, 10 episodes
2018–2021 Good Girls Rio Main cast
2021 All American Dante Smart Episode: "Ready or Not"
2022 Mayans M.C. Manny 8 episodes
2022 Westworld Carver 2 episodes
2025 Ironheart Cousin John Post-production
Video Games
Year Title Role Notes
2012 L.A. Noire Felix Alvarro Voice and performance capture

References

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  1. ^ a b Ratzlaff, Angela. "'Graceland' Actor Manny Montana Plays Big Role in Long Beach Community". Long Beach Post. Archived from the original on October 22, 2014. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  2. ^ Thomas, June (August 14, 2014). "What's It Like for a Straight Actor to Play a Gay Scene?". Slate magazine. Archived from the original on June 2, 2019. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
  3. ^ "5 Questions with 'Graceland's' Manny Montana". www.etonline.com. November 14, 2012. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
  4. ^ "'Graceland's' Manny Montana Joins Michael Mann's 'Cyber' (Exclusive)". TheWrap. May 31, 2013. Archived from the original on October 4, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
  5. ^ "Manny Montana Talks Graceland and Michael Mann's Cyber". Collider. July 11, 2013. Archived from the original on September 29, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
  6. ^ Cordero, Rosy (April 9, 2022). "'Mayans M.C.' Casts 'Good Girls' Alum Manny Montana As EP Elgin James Teases Season 4 – Contenders TV". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  7. ^ Watson, Fay (February 18, 2021). "Manny Montana wife: Which Good Girls co-star is Rio actor married to?". Express.co.uk. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  8. ^ "Manny Montana". Adelfa Marr. Archived from the original on April 15, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
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