Richard Cabral (born August 28, 1984) is an American actor, occasional producer and writer. He has appeared in roles on Mayans M.C. on FX, the ABC television series American Crime, which earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination in 2015, and the Fox television series Lethal Weapon.
Early life Cabral grew up in East Los Angeles, in a second-generation Mexican-American family. He became involved in gang activity from an early age. He said in an interview with Entertainment Tonight that his family had been a part of the gang scene since the 1990s. He was a documented member of Varrio 213 in Montebello, California. When he was a child, he was separated from his family. He was incarcerated at the age of 13 for stealing a wallet. Cabral developed an addiction to crack cocaine by the age of 15. He obtained his GED as a teenager but once again got in trouble with the law. He was sentenced to prison for violent assault with a deadly weapon (shooting), and was released at the age of 25.
Career Cabral's entertainment career started in the Chicano Rap music scene as a member of the chicano rap group "Charlie Row Campo". He created several albums and features under the moniker "Baby Jokes", or "Joker". The music mostly depicted negative, gang-related street tales.
While Cabral was trying to turn his life around, his friends recommended he seek out the services of Homeboy Industries, a gang-intervention program based in Los Angeles. There he auditioned and landed his first role, which led him to further his skills through acting classes and seminars. In 2009, he began to act, with Cabral appearing in the television show Southland. In 2010, he appeared in the music video for Bruno Mars' single "Grenade".
In 2015, Cabral starred in the mini-series American Crime, in which he portrayed the character Hector Tontz. For his role, Cabral was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Movie at the 2015 Primetime Emmy Awards.
In 2016, Cabral co-wrote with Robert Egan a one-man show called Fighting Shadows, about his experiences as a former gang member who spent years in and out of prison.
Awards
In 2013, Cabral won the Lo Maximo award from Homeboy Industries, which honors HI service recipients who give back to the community.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role 2011 A Better Life Marcelo Valdez 2012 End of Watch 'Demon' 2013 Snitch 'Flaco' 2013 The Counselor 'The Green Hornet' 2014 Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones Arturo Lopez 2014 Walk of Shame Gang Member 2016 Blood Father 'Joker' 2017 Khali the Killer Khali 2018 Breaking In Duncan 2018 Peppermint Salazar 2018 All Creatures Here Below Hugo 2019 Windows on the World Domingo TBA TBA (post-production)
Television Year Title Role Notes2009, 2011 Southland 'Joker' Ruiz Episode: "Derailed" Cholo #2 Episode: "Code 4" 'Leprechaun' 3 episodes 2011 Body of Proof Jorge Episode: "Hunting Party" 2012 Luck Store Clerk Episode: "#1.3" 2012 The Big Bang Theory Court Scene; Groom Episode: "The Countdown Reflection" 2013 Chicago Fire Inmate Rios Episode: "A Hell of a Ride" 2014 Bosch Jimmy Uribe (uncredited) Episode: "Chapter One: 'Tis the Season" 2014 Key and Peele Eduardo Episode: "Terrorist Meeting" 2015–2017 American Crime Hector Tonz (s1),Sebastian De Le Torre (s2),Isaac Castillo (s3) Main cast (seasons 1, 3), recurring role (season 2)(anthology series company of actors, unrelated story/characters each season) 2016–2017 Lethal Weapon Detective Alex Cruz Recurring role (season 1) 2018–2022 Mayans M.C. Johnny 'Coco' Cruz Main cast (seasons 1–4); also screenwriter, episode: "Dialogue With the Mirror" 2019 Into the Dark Santo Cristobal Episode: "Culture Shock" 2023 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Ivan "Dutch" Hernandez Episode: "Dutch Tears" 2023 Twisted Metal Loud Recurring role (season 1) 2025 Ballard Javier Fuentes 2 episodes 2026 Criminal Minds David Graham Episode: "Cluster"
Music Videos Year Song Band 2012 Good Girls Bad Guys Falling In Reverse 2010 Grenade Bruno Mars
Discography Year Song Artist 2010 East Side Classics Jasper Loco & Baby Jokes 2010 Gutter Tales Jasper Loco & Baby Jokes 2011 Life On The Streets Baby Jokes 2012 Wanted Baby Jokes
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated work Result 2015 67th Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie 19th OFTA Television Awards Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries 2016 20th Satellite Awards Best Ensemble – Television Series
References
External links