Puerto Rican actor Gregory Serra dies

Latin actor Gregory Serra, known for the series “Barney Miller” and “Sanford and Son”, died at the age of 83 due to a cancer, The Hollywood Reporter reported this Friday.

The Puerto Rican-born New York performer died in Laguna Woods, California on Jan. 4, said Rick Voll, a spokesman for Serra’s family.

Born in 1937, Serra shone especially in the 70s inside the small screen. In those years playing Chano Amenguale in the series “Barney Miller” (1975-1982), which was perhaps his most popular role.

He also appeared in another series such as “Sanford and Son” (1972-1977), where he played the character of Julio Fonts.

His television career similarly included sporadic roles in other well-known series such as “Hill Street Blues” (1981-1987), “Miami Vice” (1984-1989) and “MacGyver” (1985-1992).

Likewise, Serra had a long career in film with more or less secondary roles a “Beneath the Planet of the Apes” (1970), “Papillon” (1973), “The Towering Inferno” (1974), “Honey, I Blew Up the Kid” (1992) or “Vampires” (1998).

too worked with Orson Welles in the film “The Other Side of the Wind”, Which, after a very complicated pregnancy, was released in 2018 about four decades after it was shot.

Before moving to Los Angeles as a young man looking for a job in film and television, Serra tried his luck in theater. he participated in Off-Broadway plays, and worked with the National Shakespeare Company and the New York Shakespeare Festival.