Nelson Vasquez

Nelson delivered genuine performances when Mr. Leon Ichaso, cast him in two biographical feature films. In Pinero, Nelson played the complicated poet and actor, (the late) Tito Goya, supporting Benjamin Bratt as Pinero. Nelson then demonstrated his charismatic talents in El Cantante as Johnny Pacheco, the pioneer of Latin music and co-founder of Fania Records, who was pivotal in the career of Hector Lavoe, played by Marc Anthony. Nelson credits the Off-Broadway play Blade To The Heat, produced at The Public Theater and directed by George C. Wolfe, as his first real actor's gig, as Wilfred Vinal. He received notable reviews: "Nelson Vasquez is probably the purest incarnation of verbal and physical anarchy seen on a New York stage in many a year. His live-wire unpredictability is almost scary at times." Fine Arts After appearing in a variety of roles on several television shows like New York Undercover, Law & Order and NYPD Blue, he landed his best-known TV role as Correction Officer Eugene Rivera. Nelson's portrayal of the brutally blinded Eugene Rivera captured the attention of critics and fans with his haunting, complex and sympathetic character portrayal on HBO's notoriously gritty OZ. Nelson worked with American Playwright, Edwin Sanchez whose plays Clean, Icarus and Barefoot Boy With Shoes On, furthered Nelson's acting career on the Off-Broadway stage. He has been directed by some of the finest theater directors in the business; Casey Childs, Neil Pepe, Melia Bensussen, Jon Jory, Graciele Daniele and Mr. Wolfe. Born and raised in Hell's Kitchen in the heart of Manhattan, New York City, he was already drawn to the worlds of theater, art, music, and film. Occasionally, he snuck into them. Luckily he had the strictest 'old school' mother who would discipline him and with his love for sports, kept him out of trouble. His parents emigrated from the mountainous city of Lares, Puerto Rico where they were poor yet rich with cultural values. They worked through-out the east coast in various factory and labor jobs. Times were very hard for them, but there was always the aroma of Latin food in the kitchen. Nelson is the youngest of three, and dreamt of becoming a baseball player and an athlete, but soon realized there were not enough monetary, resources and emotional support to fulfill his dream. He attended NYC Public Schools through 12th grade and went on to obtain his Associates degree in Communication. In his early teens, Nelson and his family moved to the Amsterdam Public Housing Projects, known as the PJs, located directly behind Lincoln Center, one of the most famous performing arts centers in New York. Nelson started his show business career on the streets of NYC as a break dancer during the hip hop explosion in the 1980s. He then studied and performed as a professional dancer, turned choreographer, and then successfully made the transition from a dancer to a respected actor.