John Ortiz is an award-winning American actor of theater, film, and television. He is a co-founder and co-artistic director of LAByrinth Theater Company, an Off-Broadway troupe in residence at The Public Theater in New York City, with Philip Seymour Hoffman. Currently in its 15th season, LAByrinth is in production with "Jack Goes Boating" starring Mr. Ortiz and Mr. Hoffman.
He won an Obie award in 2001 for his portrayal of an Iraqi war veteran in "References to Salvador Dali make me hot" by Jose Rivera. He has played lead roles in several Jose Rivera's plays including "Cloud Tectonics", "School of the Americas", "Sueno", "Adoration of the Old Woman", and "The Street of the Sun".
Mr. Ortiz is also a frequent collaborator with acclaimed playwright Stephen Adly Guirgis. Most notably, his portrayal of Angel Cruz in "Jesus Hopped the A Train" in NY and London earned him a Drama Desk nomination for Best Lead Actor in the 2000-2001 season. He was also in Mr. Guirgis' "Last Days of Judas Iscariot" and "Moonlight Mile".
Other theater credits include two world tours of "The Persians" and "The Merchant of Venice" directed by Peter Sellars and seen in such cities as London, Paris, Salzburg, Edinburgh, Berlin, Hamburg, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Additionally, he was in the national tour of "A Few Good Men" and in a revival of the Tennessee Williams' "The Rose Tattoo" at the Goodman theater directed by Kate Whoriskey.
In film, Mr. Ortiz made his debut opposite Al Pacino in Carlito's Way in 1993. Since then, he has appeared in over 25 films. Most recently, he received critical acclaim as Jose Yero in Michael Mann's Miami Vice. He has four films due for release in 2007/2008: Pride and Glory (with Ed Norton and Colin Farrell) directed by Gavin O'Connor, El Cantante (as Willie Colon), American Gangster directed by Ridley Scott opposite Russell Crowe, and Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem. Past Film credits include Narc, Ransom, Before Night Falls, Side Streets, Take the Lead, among others.
In television, Mr. Ortiz was a series regular on ABC's The Job starring Denis Leary, CBS's Clubhouse, and FOX's Lush Life. He currently resides in Brooklyn, NY with his wife Jennifer and son Clemente.
