It's generally accepted that the best variety of acting is the kind that feels true. With that being said, Danny Trejo is one of the truest actors who has ever lived, a real-life ex-criminal who wears every bad decision and violent act on his grizzled face that has clearly seen (and done) more than his fair share of...let's say disreputable acts. Often cast as badasses, criminals, etc. Trejo feels like a stunt casting choice that somehow bled into more and more projects until he eventually became a real actor. And I'm so glad he did. He's a rare breed of actor who can say more by just existing than most others can with a script full of dialogue.
5. Desperado
Sometimes a presence is all he's given or that's required. And as a knife-throwing badass assassin, Trejo is not just the right casting choice, but the only one possible. Nothing stands out about this movie to me except for him.
4. Con Air
On a plane full of violent, sociopathic criminals, Trejo's rapist/murderer is the one that feels the most real and genuinely terrifying. These two last movies in particular show what his career was up until the early 2010s, and I feel best represent him at that particular point in his career.
3. Sons Of Anarchy
Within the first few episodes of this show, I knew Trejo had to show up. And when he did, I was not disappointed. A pretty perfect role for him that blends his classic persona with a sort of self-awareness that allows the show to both utilize his natural presence while also using it to blindside you somewhat. Either way, he's still awesome in this show, even if he isn't given a lot to do.
2. Machete
His first starring role, and perhaps the single movie he'll be most remembered for. While the movie itself is HUGELY flawed (and I'm not talking about the grindhouse aspects of it that are obviously intentional), Trejo's performance in the lead role is so fun and so cool, it makes the movie worth sitting through just for him. I would argue he isn't given enough really crazy stuff to do, but he does use someone's intestines to swing through a window...so maybe I'll leave that complaint out.
1. Bad Ass
Yeah, this is a really dumb movie that doesn't have a whole ton going for it, but this is one of the only times I've ever seen Trejo portray a truly sympathetic character with more than one or two aspects to his personality. Based on a viral video depicting an older man clobbering some hoodlums (damn whippersnappers!) on a bus, the movie very clearly had a loose connection to reality, but Trejo managed to successfully bring it down to earth, even when he was given ridiculous things to do. It isn't great, but the performance is kind of wonderful in ways I never would have expected.
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