Person

Emilio Rivera

Acting · Born 1961-02-24 · San Antonio, Texas, USA

Biography

Emilio Rivera (born February 24, 1961) is a distinguished Native-Latino American businessman, entrepreneur, film and television actor, and producer, best known for his powerful portrayal of Marcus Álvarez, the president of the Mayans Motorcycle Club, in the acclaimed FX series Sons of Anarchy (2008–2014) and its spin-off Mayans M.C. (2018–2023). With a career spanning over three decades, the San Antonio-born actor has become one of Hollywood's most recognizable "tough guys," often cast in high-stakes crime dramas and action films such as Con Air (1997), Traffic (2000), and Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017). Beyond his signature biker roles, Rivera has displayed significant range in series like Z Nation, where he played Hector "Escorpion" Alvarez, and the Netflix coming-of-age dramedy On My Block.

Known for

Filmography

2026BodymanJavier Ortega
2025Under FireValentino
2025Cuisine de la 'PocalypseMurray
2024LandmanLuis Medina
2024Holy CashActor
2024Chuck Zito: An American StorySelf
2024Hot Ones VersusSelf
2023The Movie TellerTrabajador 3 / José
2023Dante's HotelCaptain Pasado
2023Flamin' HotVacho Montañez
2021The UpshawsBarkavious
2021Law & Order: Organized CrimeMiguel 'El Diablo' Olivas
2020Love and Betrayal on the ForceGeorge (voice)
2020Ride Hard: Live FreeGauge
20193 from HellAquarius
2019To Hell and Back: The Making of 3 From HellSelf
2019El ChicanoShadow
2018Carl Weber's The Family BusinessAlejandro Zuniga
2018VenomLobby Guard Richard
2018Mayans M.C.Marcus Álvarez
2018Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on FootJesus Alvarado
2017El Camino ChristmasVicente Cruz
2017Avenge the CrowsCarlos Santiago
2017SmartassPoco Efe
2017BadsvilleLucky Lou
201648 Hours to LiveGunner
2016Street LevelPete
2016North by El NorteBig boss
2015Hitman: Agent 47Fabian
2015Mercy for AngelsMachetto
2014Z NationEscorpion
201410 Cent PistolMelville
2014Gang RelatedTio Gordo
2014Water & PowerNorte
2014BulletSpeedy
2013American LowriderPaisa
2013Filly BrownMani
2013The Devil's in the DetailsBill Duffy
2012The Obama EffectHector Santiago
2012C'mon ManSteven
2012Act of ValorSanchez
2011Budz HouseBig Happy
2011NarcocorridoRamon
2011Platinum IllusionsBoss Hogg
2011Cinema VeriteNightwatchman
2010Cholo Comedy Slam: Stand Up and Lean Back
2010American FlyerBig Boss
2009Next Day AirBodega
2009Lie to MeTony Calvo
2008The MentalistMartin
2008Sons of AnarchyMarcus Alvarez
2008Street KingsOG Vato
2008Terminator: The Sarah Connor ChroniclesMexican Police Chief
2007MoonlightChemma Tejada
2007Delta FarceJorge
2007Spider-Man 3Policeman at Sand Truck
2007Raines
2006Brothers and SistersThe Sponsor
2006SharkDetective #1
2006SplinterJesse
2005Fun with Dick and JaneDay Laborer
2005My Name Is EarlVictor
2005BonesRamon Ortez
2005Harsh TimesEddy
2005WeedsEl Coyote
2005Kojak
2005Short FuseCamacho
2005Purple HeartDeputy
2004Doing Hard TimeOfficer David Teal
2004El padrino: The Latin GodfatherRudy
2004CSI: NYLittle Stevie
2004Sucker Free CityDetective Zepada
2004CollateralPaco
2004CakeFidel
2003Bruce AlmightyHood
2003A Man ApartGarza
2002Confessions of a Dangerous MindBenitez
2002High CrimesSalvadoran Man
2002Road DogzBig Joe
2002Ali G IndahouseRico
2002The ShieldNavaro Quintero
2001TomcatsSampson (uncredited)
2000TrafficSalazar Soldier #2
2000The Base 2: Guilty as ChargedPvt. Alberto Ramirerz
2000CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationBank Robber #1
2000GirlfriendsNick
2000TitusCastro
2000Son of the Beach
1999Law & Order: Special Victims UnitBenito Escobar
1999L.A. Heat
1999Pros & ConsCon 1
1997Con AirCarlos
1996The Cable GuyJail Inmate
1995RageJavier
1995JAGDrug Runner
1995Murder Was the CaseReporter #2
1994EREmilio Cardazco
1993The X-FilesBrigham
1993Walker, Texas RangerJuan 'Loco' Morales
1992RenegadeRafe
1990Beverly Hills, 90210Felipe
1977Thunder and LightningHoneydew Driver
—Purgatory
—RZR Cyber ProtocolFelix
—How To Date AgainRancher
—GritSelf
—The GunfighterSanchez

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