Biography

Nelson Vasquez – American actor, dancer, and choreographer of Puerto Rican descent, born in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, New York City (no publicly recorded birthday). His parents emigrated from Lares, Puerto Rico. He began his career as a break dancer during the 1980s hip hop explosion, became a professional dancer and choreographer (touring with Aretha Franklin), and made his acting debut in the Off-Broadway play Blade to the Heat at The Public Theater, directed by George C. Wolfe. He worked with Spike Lee on four films. His most notable film roles include Stevie's Friend in Do the Right Thing (1989), a Pimp in The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990), a Blanco Associate in Carlito's Way (1993), a Subway Robber in Money Train (1995), Skicap in Extreme Measures (1996), Ronnie in Girl 6 (1996), Officer Cruz in Summer of Sam (1999), Tito Goya in Piñero (2001, opposite Benjamin Bratt), Manny in Carlito's Way: Rise to Power (2005), and Johnny Pacheco in El Cantante (2006, opposite Marc Anthony, for which he was nominated for a Paoli Award). On television he is best known for Correction Officer Eugene Rivera in Oz (1997–2002, HBO), and guest appearances in Law & Order, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, NYPD Blue, and New York Undercover.