
Gregory Sierra
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.
Acting (43 movies)

Hearts of Hot Shots! Part Deux—A Filmmaker's Apology
1993

The Prisoner of Zenda
1979

Papillon
1973

A Low Down Dirty Shame
1994

Command 5
1985

Hot Shots! Part Deux
1993

The Clones
1973

Mean Dog Blues
1978

Machismo: 40 Graves for 40 Guns
1971

The Night the Bridge Fell Down
1980

The Gambler: The Adventure Continues
1983

Vampires
1998

Jane Austen's Mafia!
1998

The Other Side of the Wind
2018

Where the Hell's That Gold?!!?
1988

Beneath the Planet of the Apes
1970

The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit
1998

The Trouble with Spies
1987

Deep Cover
1992

The Thief Who Came to Dinner
1973

Getting Straight
1970

Uncommon Valor
1983

Red Sky at Morning
1971

Stingray
1985

Miami Vice: Brother's Keeper
1984

Weekend of Terror
1970

The Towering Inferno
1974

The Wrath of God
1972

The Culpepper Cattle Co.
1972

Pocket Money
1972

Desperado: Badlands Justice
1989

Johnny 316
1998

300 Miles for Stephanie
1981

Honey, I Blew Up the Kid
1992

Donor
1990

The Night They Took Miss Beautiful
1977

The Castaway Cowboy
1974

Let's Get Harry
1986

Her Secret Life
1987

Farrell: For the People
1982

Evening in Byzantium
1978

Honky Tonk
1974

Unspeakable Acts
1990
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