Gregory Sierra

Gregory Sierra

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.

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Known For

Filmography

2018

The Other Side of the Wind
The Other Side of the Wind
as Jack Simon
Movie - Released: 11/2/2018

1998

Vampires
Vampires
as Father Giovanni
Movie - Released: 10/30/1998
Jane Austen's Mafia!
Jane Austen's Mafia!
as Bonifacio
Movie - Released: 7/24/1998
The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit
The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit
as Villanazul
Movie - Released: 1/23/1998
Johnny 316
Johnny 316
as Kareem
Movie - Released: 3/20/1998

1997

Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction
Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction
as Lyle Norman (segment "Rock & Roll Ears")
TV - Released: 5/25/1997

1996

TV
Common Law
as Luis Alvarez
TV - Released: 9/28/1996

1994

A Low Down Dirty Shame
A Low Down Dirty Shame
as Captain Nunez
Movie - Released: 11/23/1994
Ellen
Ellen
as General Colon
TV - Released: 3/29/1994
704 Hauser
704 Hauser
TV - Released: 4/11/1994

1993

Hot Shots! Part Deux
Hot Shots! Part Deux
as The Captain
Movie - Released: 5/21/1993
Walker, Texas Ranger
Walker, Texas Ranger
as Rafael Mendoza
TV - Released: 4/21/1993
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
as Gen. Eli Parker
TV - Released: 1/1/1993
Thea
Thea
as Mr. Guiterrez
TV - Released: 9/3/1993
The X-Files
The X-Files
as Dr. Diamond
TV - Released: 9/10/1993
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
as Entek
TV - Released: 1/3/1993

1992

Deep Cover
Deep Cover
as Felix Barbosa
Movie - Released: 4/15/1992
Honey, I Blew Up the Kid
Honey, I Blew Up the Kid
as Terence Wheeler
Movie - Released: 7/16/1992
The Golden Palace
The Golden Palace
as Rubin
TV - Released: 9/18/1992

1991

P.S. I Luv U
P.S. I Luv U
TV - Released: 9/15/1991
TV
FBI: The Untold Stories
as Jimmy Chagra
TV - Released: 9/26/1991

1990

Donor
Donor
as Hector Aliosa
Movie - Released: 12/9/1990
Unspeakable Acts
Unspeakable Acts
as Frank Fuster
Movie - Released: 1/15/1990
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
as Hector
TV - Released: 9/10/1990
Shades of L.A.
Shades of L.A.
TV - Released: 10/10/1990

1989

Desperado: Badlands Justice
Desperado: Badlands Justice
as Jesus Gutierrez
Movie - Released: 12/17/1989

1988

Where the Hell's That Gold?!!?
Where the Hell's That Gold?!!?
as General
Movie - Released: 11/13/1988
Something Is Out There
Something Is Out There
as Victor Maldonado
TV - Released: 10/21/1988
Something Is Out There
Something Is Out There
as Victor Maldonado
TV - Released: 5/8/1988

1987

The Trouble with Spies
The Trouble with Spies
Movie - Released: 12/4/1987
Her Secret Life
Her Secret Life
as Vic 'The Dancer' Pena
Movie - Released: 4/12/1987

1986

Let's Get Harry
Let's Get Harry
as Alphonso
Movie - Released: 10/31/1986
Blacke's Magic
Blacke's Magic
TV - Released: 1/5/1986

1985

Command 5
Command 5
as Delgado
Movie - Released: 8/5/1985
Stingray
Stingray
as Anthony 'Tony' Mendosa
Movie - Released: 7/14/1985
Growing Pains
Growing Pains
as Dr. Paul Ramirez
TV - Released: 9/24/1985
MacGyver
MacGyver
as Colonel Antunnez
TV - Released: 9/29/1985
The Ray Bradbury Theater
The Ray Bradbury Theater
TV - Released: 5/21/1985
MacGyver
MacGyver
as General Antonio Vasquez
TV - Released: 9/29/1985
MacGyver
MacGyver
as Captain Diaz
TV - Released: 9/29/1985

1984

Miami Vice: Brother's Keeper
Miami Vice: Brother's Keeper
as Lt. Lou Rodriguez
Movie - Released: 9/16/1984
Murder, She Wrote
Murder, She Wrote
as Sanchez
TV - Released: 9/30/1984
Airwolf
Airwolf
as Frank Ochoa
TV - Released: 1/22/1984
Cover Up
Cover Up
TV - Released: 9/22/1984
Hunter
Hunter
as Councilman Michael Elandro
TV - Released: 9/18/1984
Blue Thunder
Blue Thunder
as Luis Creighton Acuna
TV - Released: 1/6/1984
Miami Vice
Miami Vice
as Lt. Lou Rodriguez
TV - Released: 9/16/1984
Murder, She Wrote
Murder, She Wrote
as Ramon
TV - Released: 9/30/1984
Murder, She Wrote
Murder, She Wrote
as Moreno
TV - Released: 9/30/1984
Murder, She Wrote
Murder, She Wrote
as Lieutenant Gabriel Caceras
TV - Released: 9/30/1984

1983

The Gambler: The Adventure Continues
The Gambler: The Adventure Continues
as Silvera
Movie - Released: 11/28/1983
Uncommon Valor
Uncommon Valor
as George Callender
Movie - Released: 1/22/1983
Zorro and Son
Zorro and Son
as Commandante Paco Pic
TV - Released: 4/6/1983
Masquerade
Masquerade
as Omani
TV - Released: 12/15/1983
The Gambler: The Adventure Continues
The Gambler: The Adventure Continues
as Silvera
TV - Released: 11/28/1983

1982

Farrell: For the People
Farrell: For the People
as Det. Mike Rodriguez
Movie - Released: 10/18/1982
Cagney & Lacey
Cagney & Lacey
TV - Released: 3/25/1982
Cassie & Co.
Cassie & Co.
TV - Released: 1/29/1982

1981

300 Miles for Stephanie
300 Miles for Stephanie
as Dr. Galfas
Movie - Released: 1/12/1981
Falcon Crest
Falcon Crest
as FBI-Agent Taylor
TV - Released: 12/4/1981
Hill Street Blues
Hill Street Blues
as ADA Alvarez
TV - Released: 1/15/1981
Hill Street Blues
Hill Street Blues
as ADA Alvarez (archive footage) (uncredited)
TV - Released: 1/15/1981
The Greatest American Hero
The Greatest American Hero
as Sheriff Mark Vargas
TV - Released: 3/18/1981
Simon & Simon
Simon & Simon
as Gregory Cable
TV - Released: 11/24/1981
Simon & Simon
Simon & Simon
as Raul Gutierrez
TV - Released: 11/24/1981

1980

The Night the Bridge Fell Down
The Night the Bridge Fell Down
as Diego Ramirez
Movie - Released: 9/6/1980
Magnum, P.I.
Magnum, P.I.
as Miguel Torres
TV - Released: 12/11/1980

1979

The Prisoner of Zenda
The Prisoner of Zenda
as Count Montparnasse
Movie - Released: 8/17/1979
Hart to Hart
Hart to Hart
as Eduardo
TV - Released: 9/22/1979
Hart to Hart
Hart to Hart
as Howard Castle
TV - Released: 9/22/1979

1978

Mean Dog Blues
Mean Dog Blues
as Jesus Gonzalez
Movie - Released: 3/3/1978
Evening in Byzantium
Evening in Byzantium
as Fabricio
Movie - Released: 8/14/1978
A.E.S. Hudson Street
A.E.S. Hudson Street
TV - Released: 3/16/1978

1977

The Night They Took Miss Beautiful
The Night They Took Miss Beautiful
as Omar Welk
Movie - Released: 10/24/1977
Hunter
Hunter
TV - Released: 2/18/1977
Lou Grant
Lou Grant
as Hector
TV - Released: 9/20/1977

1976

Quincy, M.E.
Quincy, M.E.
as Rick Durado
TV - Released: 10/3/1976

1975

Movie
Antonio and the Mayor
as Mayor Acambarros
Movie - Released: 12/31/1975
Barney Miller
Barney Miller
as Miguel Amenguale
TV - Released: 1/23/1975

1974

Movie
Goodnight Jackie
as Paul
Movie - Released: 2/27/1974
The Towering Inferno
The Towering Inferno
as Carlos
Movie - Released: 12/14/1974
The Castaway Cowboy
The Castaway Cowboy
as Marruja
Movie - Released: 8/1/1974
Honky Tonk
Honky Tonk
as Slade
Movie - Released: 4/1/1974
Petrocelli
Petrocelli
as Rudolph Chavez
TV - Released: 9/11/1974

1973

Papillon
Papillon
as Antonio
Movie - Released: 12/16/1973
The Clones
The Clones
as Nemo
Movie - Released: 8/1/1973
The Thief Who Came to Dinner
The Thief Who Came to Dinner
as Dynamite Hector
Movie - Released: 3/1/1973
Hawkins
Hawkins
as Prosecutor Denton
TV - Released: 3/13/1973
Police Story
Police Story
TV - Released: 3/20/1973

1972

The Wrath of God
The Wrath of God
as Jurado
Movie - Released: 7/14/1972
The Culpepper Cattle Co.
The Culpepper Cattle Co.
as One-Eyed Horsethief
Movie - Released: 4/15/1972
Pocket Money
Pocket Money
as Chavarin (as Gregg Sierra)
Movie - Released: 2/1/1972
Kung Fu
Kung Fu
as Zolly
TV - Released: 10/14/1972
The Streets of San Francisco
The Streets of San Francisco
as Patrolman Burgers
TV - Released: 9/23/1972
Sanford and Son
Sanford and Son
as Julio Fuentes
TV - Released: 1/14/1972
The Waltons
The Waltons
as Volta
TV - Released: 9/14/1972
Banacek
Banacek
as Norman Esposito
TV - Released: 9/13/1972
Banyon
Banyon
as Raoul Lopaca
TV - Released: 9/15/1972

1971

Machismo: 40 Graves for 40 Guns
Machismo: 40 Graves for 40 Guns
as Lopez
Movie - Released: 7/1/1971
Red Sky at Morning
Red Sky at Morning
as Chamaco
Movie - Released: 5/12/1971
Columbo
Columbo
as Lou D'Allessandro
TV - Released: 9/15/1971
All in the Family
All in the Family
as Paul Benjamin
TV - Released: 1/12/1971
Alias Smith and Jones
Alias Smith and Jones
TV - Released: 1/5/1971

1970

Beneath the Planet of the Apes
Beneath the Planet of the Apes
as Verger
Movie - Released: 4/23/1970
Getting Straight
Getting Straight
as Garcia
Movie - Released: 5/13/1970
Weekend of Terror
Weekend of Terror
as Police Sergeant
Movie - Released: 12/8/1970
McCloud
McCloud
TV - Released: 2/17/1970

1969

Medical Center
Medical Center
as Mendez
TV - Released: 9/24/1969
The Bill Cosby Show
The Bill Cosby Show
as Mr. Sierra
TV - Released: 9/14/1969

1968

Hawaii Five-O
Hawaii Five-O
as Lolo
TV - Released: 9/20/1968
The Mod Squad
The Mod Squad
as Zamaron
TV - Released: 9/24/1968
It Takes a Thief
It Takes a Thief
as Fletcher
TV - Released: 1/9/1968

1967

The High Chaparral
The High Chaparral
as Arrigo
TV - Released: 9/10/1967
The Flying Nun
The Flying Nun
as Officer Juarez
TV - Released: 9/7/1967
Ironside
Ironside
as Billy Trona
TV - Released: 3/28/1967

1966

Mission: Impossible
Mission: Impossible
as Fernando Laroca
TV - Released: 9/17/1966
Mission: Impossible
Mission: Impossible
as Gomal
TV - Released: 9/17/1966
Mission: Impossible
Mission: Impossible
as Prado's butler
TV - Released: 9/17/1966

1955

Gunsmoke
Gunsmoke
as Blue Jacket
TV - Released: 9/10/1955
Gunsmoke
Gunsmoke
as Osuna
TV - Released: 9/10/1955