Here is Damian Chapa's biography:
Born in Dayton, Ohio, Damian Chapa is of Mexican, Italian, Irish, and Native American descent. He grew up as the second eldest of five children, with two brothers and two sisters. His father, Rico Chapa, owned a bar across the street from a go-go bar owned by Larry Flynt, who would later publish Hustler Magazine.
As a teenager, Damian sold aluminum siding and ran a go-go joint at the age of 17 for his uncle Johnny, who was a "gangster" and had been shot several times. Another uncle, Enrique, was a "hired hit man" in Texas.
Damian struggled with alcohol and substance abuse in his early twenties, but eventually sought help through meetings and has been sober for over 25 years.
After serving in the U.S. Navy for three years, Damian decided to pursue a career in acting, following in the footsteps of his favorite actor, Montgomery Clift. He began his career in New York, landing his first acting job as a stand-in for Madonna's "Papa Don't Preach" music video.
Damian's breakthrough role was in the 1993 film "Blood In, Blood Out," in which he played Miklo Velka. He went on to star in several films, including "Undersiege" with Tommy Lee Jones and Steven Seagal, "Money Talks" with Chris Tucker, and "Menendez: A Killing in Beverly Hills" with Beverly D'Angelo and Edward James Olmos.
Damian attended the 18th Street Theater in New York for many years and was coached by master director Robert Easton, who called him one of the best young actors of his time.
In addition to his acting career, Damian has also worked behind the camera, opening a production company called Rico Films (later renamed New York International Pictures) in honor of his eldest brother, Rico, who died of cancer at the age of 30.
In 1995, Damian was in the running to star in a James Dean biopic, but the project was eventually cancelled after all its producers were murdered.
In 2011, Damian was involved in a motorcycle accident while filming his film "Brando Unauthorized," which nearly killed him. He suffered several injuries, including a broken hand and facial bruising, but was able to resume filming after eight hours.
Damian has won several awards for his work, including Best Director and Best Feature awards at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival for "Brando Unauthorized."
He has four children, including his eldest son, Ricco Chapa, who is also an actor. Damian's other sons, Luke and Gabriel, are also starting acting careers.
Among the actors Damian has directed are Stacy Keach, Rachel Hunter, Robert Wagner, Joe Estevez, Faye Dunaway, David Carradine, Brad Dourif, and Gary Busey.
