Gregory Sierra
Known For
Acting
Born
1937-01-25 in New York City, New York, USA
Died
2021-01-04
Biography
Gregory Sierra (January 25, 1937 – January 4, 2021) was a distinguished American actor, celebrated for his versatility and powerful presence on both television and film. Born on January 25, 1937, in New York City's Spanish Harlem, Sierra was of Puerto Rican descent and faced a challenging upbringing after being abandoned by his parents and raised by an aunt. Despite his early hardships, he found a path to acting after impressing at an impromptu audition for an acting school in Manhattan. Sierra's career began on stage, notably with the National Shakespeare Company and performances at the New York Shakespeare Festival. He transitioned to television in the late 1960s and quickly became a familiar face, first gaining major attention as Julio Fuentes, the memorable Puerto Rican neighbor on Sanford and Son, and then as Detective Sergeant Chano Amengual on Barney Miller—two roles that remain among his most enduring contributions to classic TV. Sierra's roster of work included appearances on The Flying Nun, Soap, Miami Vice, Hill Street Blues, Zorro and Son, and scores of guest roles on popular series such as All in the Family, The X-Files, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. His film credits span genres and decades, featuring roles in Beneath the Planet of the Apes, Papillon, The Towering Inferno, and Deep Cover. Gregory Sierra was admired for bringing depth, nuance, and authenticity to every character he portrayed, endearing him to fans and earning the respect of peers. He passed away on January 4, 2021, in Laguna Woods, California, leaving behind a rich legacy in entertainment that spanned nearly fifty years.
Most Known For
The X-Files
as Dr. Diamond
Columbo
as Lou D'Allessandro
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
as Entek
Murder, She Wrote
as Sanchez
Murder, She Wrote
as Ramon
Murder, She Wrote
as Moreno
Murder, She Wrote
as Lieutenant Gabriel Caceras
MacGyver
as Colonel Antunnez
MacGyver
as General Antonio Vasquez
MacGyver
as Captain Diaz
Mission: Impossible
as Fernando Laroca
Mission: Impossible
as Gomal
Mission: Impossible
as Prado's butler
Miami Vice
as Lt. Lou Rodriguez
Magnum, P.I.
as Miguel Torres
Falcon Crest
as FBI-Agent Taylor
The Waltons
as Volta
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
as Gen. Eli Parker
Hawaii Five-O
as Lolo
Ironside
as Billy Trona