Esai Morales, a graduate of New York's High School for the Performing Arts, began his acting career on the stage, firstly appearing in "El Hermano" at the Ensemble Theatre Studio and at New York's Shakespeare Festival In The Park in "The Tempest".

Esai made his film debut in Bad Boys, and later appeared as Richie Valens' older brother in La Bamba. He has also done voice work on a variety of animated features such as _Adventures of Tom Thumb and Thumbelina, The (2002) (V)_ and "Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman".

A versatile actor, Esai Morales is no stranger to the small screen, having starred in a variety of roles in such series as "The Outer Limits", "Family Law", "Resurrection Blvd.", "The Twilight Zone", "Fame", "Tales From The Crypt", and "Miami Vice". He currently tars on ABC's popular series NYPD Blue as "Lt. Tony Rodriguez".

A self-proclaimed "activist", Esai Morales has freely given of his time to assist with many charitable organisations and environmental causes. Esai is a founding board member of E.C.O. (Earth Communications Office), which is a clearing house for environmental information. He has worked closely with the Wildlife Preservation Fund in Costa Rica and Health Education Aids Liaison (H.E.A.L.).


Is co-founder, with Sonia Braga and Jimmy Smits, of the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts. Studied at Manhattan's High School for the Performing Arts. Esai's Puerto Rican parents divorced when he was a baby. He originally auditioned for the role of Ritchie Valens in La Bamba (1987), and Lou Diamond Phillips originally auditioned for the role of Bob.