William Mercado, a multifaceted American artist, was born and raised in The Bronx, New York, where he spent his formative years as an only child, cultivating a profound connection with film and television.
As a high school graduate, Mercado pursued his passion for acting while working a series of jobs to make ends meet, including a stint on the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange and a challenging career as a New York Police Department officer.
Despite the demanding nature of his police work, Mercado remained committed to his craft, training at esteemed institutions such as H.B. Studios and The Puerto Rican Traveling Theater, while also working on various projects, including the boxing film "Hell's Kitchen" alongside Mekhi Phifer and the award-winning short film "City of Thieves," which took home the 2000 Avignon/New York Film Festival Award for "Best Short."
In 2009, Mercado made the bold decision to retire from the NYPD, allowing him to focus on his acting career full-time. Since then, he has been an integral member of the acclaimed Long Island Repertory Company, "The Bare Bones Theater," where he starred in their production of Arthur Miller's "A View from the Bridge" and produced and starred in their critically acclaimed 2013 Off-Broadway production of "The Hunter's Moon," which received a nomination for "Best ensemble in a play" from BroadwayWorld.com.
Mercado has also amassed an impressive array of starring and supporting roles in over 30 projects, including Netflix's "Daredevil," "The Jimmy Fallon Show," "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," and the internationally acclaimed film "The Owner." His latest endeavor, "Christmas Tears," which he directed, starred in, and produced, was an official selection at the prestigious Big Apple Film Festival.
