1. Overview
Alexis Cruz (born September 29, 1974) is an American actor. He is widely recognized for his portrayal of Skaara in the 1994 film Stargate and its television spin-off Stargate SG-1, as well as for his role as Rafael in the popular series Touched by an Angel. Cruz began his acting career at a young age and has since built a comprehensive portfolio across film, television, and video games.
2. Biography
Alexis Cruz's personal background includes his upbringing in New York City and his early experiences that shaped his career path.
2.1. Childhood and Background
Cruz was born in The Bronx, New York, on September 29, 1974. He is of Puerto Rican descent. His mother, Julia, was a songwriter. Cruz currently resides in Los Angeles, California.
2.2. Education
Cruz began his acting career at the age of nine. However, at 13, after a director critically assessed his acting abilities during an audition, Cruz made the decision to pursue formal training. In the same year, he enrolled in The School of Performing Arts to hone his craft.
2.3. Early Career
Having started acting at nine years old, Cruz gained early exposure to the entertainment industry. His decision to pursue formal education at The School of Performing Arts after a challenging audition experience marked a significant step in his professional development, laying the groundwork for his future roles.
3. Career
Alexis Cruz has had a prolific career spanning various entertainment mediums, including feature films, television series, and video games, often taking on diverse roles.
3.1. Film Career
Cruz has appeared in numerous feature films and short films throughout his career. One of his most notable roles was Skaara in the 1994 science fiction film Stargate. He also portrayed Herman Santiago, one of the original members of the rock and roll group The Teenagers, in the 1998 film Why Do Fools Fall In Love. His filmography includes a variety of genres and roles.
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | The Pick-up Artist | Charlie | |
| 1989 | Rooftops | Squeak | |
| 1990 | Gryphon | Ricky | |
| 1990 | Old Man and the Sea | Manolo | |
| 1994 | Stargate | Skaara | |
| 1997 | The Brave | Weyman | |
| 1998 | Why Do Fools Fall In Love | Herman Santiago | |
| 1999 | Learning to Swim | Guillermo | Short film |
| 2000 | That Summer in LA | Smiley | |
| 2002 | Bug | Sung | |
| 2003 | DarkWolf | Miguel | Video |
| 2004 | Spectres | Sean | |
| 2004 | Stand Up for Justice: The Ralph Lazo Story | Ralph Lazo | Short film |
| 2007 | Tortilla Heaven | Marco | |
| 2009 | Drag Me to Hell | Farm Worker | |
| 2014 | Altergeist | Mike | |
| 2023 | Spic | Álvaro | Short film |
3.2. Television Career
Cruz has an extensive television career, with appearances in numerous series, miniseries, and TV movies. He is particularly known for his recurring roles as Rafael in Touched by an Angel, appearing in 16 episodes, and as Skaara/Klorel in Stargate SG-1 for 6 episodes. He is one of only three actors, along with Erick Avari and Richard Kind, to appear in both the original Stargate film and the continuing television series Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis. He also played assistant D.A. Martin Allende in the legal drama Shark for 11 episodes, co-starring with James Woods and Jeri Ryan.
| Year | Television Show | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | The Cosby Show | Enrique Terron | 1 episode |
| 1990 | The Old Man and the Sea | Manolo | Miniseries |
| 1991 | Sesame Street | Alex | 1 episode |
| 1995 | Streets of Laredo | Joey Garza | Miniseries |
| 1995 | The Price of Love | Alberto | TV movie |
| 1995 | ER | Terry | 1 episode |
| 1996 | Grand Avenue | Raymond | TV movie |
| 1997 | Riot | Carlos | TV movie |
| 1997 | Detention: The Siege at Johnson High | Frankie Rodriguez | TV movie |
| 1997-2003 | Stargate SG-1 | Skaara/Klorel | 6 episodes |
| 1997-2003 | Touched by an Angel | Rafael | 16 episodes |
| 2000 | The District | 1 episode | |
| 2001 | Almost a Woman | Nestor | TV movie |
| 2004 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Phillip Riley | 1 episode |
| 2006 | Slayer | Alex | TV movie |
| 2006-2007 | Shark | Martin Allende | 11 episodes |
| 2012 | Eagleheart | Scatman's little brother | 1 episode |
| 2013 | Castle | Lyle Gomez | 1 episode |
| 2020 | Love Life | 1 episode | |
| 2021 | FBI | Hector Contreras | 1 episode |
| 2022 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Father Daniel | 1 episode |
3.3. Video Game Career
Cruz has also contributed to the video game industry, lending his talents to motion capture and voice acting roles.
| Year | Game | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | L.A. Noire | Patrolman Enrique Gonzales |
| 2018 | Red Dead Redemption 2 | Additional Motion Capture |