Efren Ramirez

Efren Antonio Ramírez (born October 2, 1973) is an American actor. He is best known for playing Pedro Sánchez in the 2004 indie film Napoleon Dynamite. He later reprised his role in the 2012 animated series of the same name.

Early life
Ramírez was born on October 2, 1973, in Los Angeles, California, to Salvadoran parents. He has four brothers, one of whom is his identical twin Carlos.

Career
Ramirez has starred in a number of films, including Napoleon Dynamite as Pedro Sánchez, Employee of the Month, Crank and Crank: High Voltage, Searching for Mickey Fish, All You've Got, and Walkout and made cameos in Nacho Libre and Mr. & Mrs. Smith. In 2009, Efren starred in the comedy American Summer as well as appearing as a contestant on MTV's Celebrity Rap Superstar. On July 14, 2008 Sierra Mist released a series of commercials aimed at multicultural consumers in which Efren stars.

Soon after the success of Napoleon Dynamite, the music group G. Love and Special Sauce asked Efren to appear in their music video "Booty Call". He also played Ashlee Simpson's boyfriend in the music video for her 2005 song "Boyfriend". Ramírez made a cameo appearance in a 2005 episode of ABC's George López wearing a T-shirt similar to the shirt Jon Heder wears in Napoleon Dynamite that reads, "Vote For Pedro". In 2007 Ramírez appeared as the judge for an acting challenge on Cycle 8 of America's Next Top Model.

Ramírez made several cameos throughout his career. In King Cobra, he portrayed a teenager playing a game of hide-and-seek with his girlfriend (portrayed by Ramirez's wife Iyari Limon). They later end up as prey for the title antagonist. In the music video for Sleazy, Pedro appears as a cameo and lip syncs André 3000's verse.

He co-founded Powerhouse Pictures Entertainment, LLC with Chris Barrett, and they co-authored the book Direct Your Own Life: How To Be A Star in Any Field You Choose being published on June 10, 2008 through Kaplan Publishing.

Personal life
In 1998, Ramírez married actress Iyari Limon. The marriage was annulled the following year.

Ramírez is also a DJ, who has performed worldwide and toured in over 50 cities across 5 continents. His sets include a variety of music, from hip hop, funk, disco, to hard house. His production company "Nocturnal Rampage" throws a recurring rave event every summer in Austin, Texas.
 Filmography 
 Film 
 Year Title Role Notes 1994 Tammy and the T-Rex Pizza Boy Film debut role 1995 Jury Duty Pirate Pete's employee 1996 Kazaam Carlos 1998 Melting Pot Miguel Álvarez 1999 King Cobra Teen Boy Direct-to-video 2000 Rave Bookie 2001 Delivering Milo Street Hustler Uncredited 2004 Napoleon Dynamite Pedro Sánchez 2004 Just Hustle Street Connection 2006 Tomorrow's Yesterday Ron Short film 2006 Gettin' Some Jail Time Pico Short film 2006 Crank Kaylo 2006 Employee of the Month Jorge Mecico 2006 Walkout Bobby Verdugo 2007 Moola Hector Independent film 2007 Crossing the Heart Jesus 2009 Ratko: The Dictator's Son Ratko Volvic Direct-to-video 2009  Hector 2009 Gamer DJ Twist 2009 Crank: High Voltage Venus/Kaylo 2010 When in Rome Juan Uncredited  2012 Casa de mi padre Esteban 2014 School Dance El Matador 2015 Endgame Mr. Alvarado 2016 Varsity Punks Coach Menlo 2016 Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life Gus 2017 Trafficked Enrique 2017 Mad Families Rolando Crackle original movie 2022 Lightyear   2022 Satanic Hispanics The Traveler 2023 Due Justice Detective Santigo 2024 Seven Cemeteries  Miguel
 Television 
 Year Title Role Notes 1996 Relativity Javier Episode: "Fathers" 1997 Dangerous Minds Nutty Episode: "The Feminine Mystique" 1997 Nothing Sacred Guillermo Episode: "A Bloody Miracle" 1999 Ryan Caulfield: Year One Juan Episode: "Nocturnal Radius" 1999 Chicken Soup for the Soul Paco Episode: "Paco Come Home" 2000 Missing Pieces Renaldo Television film 2000-2001 Boston Public Amaad Wilkens 2 episodes 2000-2001 Even Stevens Scrub Patrol 2 episodes 2003 Judging Amy Ricky Diaz Episode: "Picture of Perfect" 2003 ER Jimmy Episode: "Death and Taxes" 2004 The District Fernando Guttierez Episode: "Ten Thirty-Three" 2005 George Lopez The new class treasurer (parody of Pedro Sánchez) Episode: "George's Extreme Makeover-Holmes Edition" 2005 Robot Chicken Pedro Sanchez / Domino's Pizzaman (voice) Episode: "The Black Cherry" 2006 Walkout Bobby Verdugo Television film 2006 All You've Got Carlos Television film 2006 Mad TV Various roles 2 episodes 2007 El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera El Cucharón (voice) 2 episodes 2007 American Dad! Paco (voice) Episode: "American Dream Factory" 2007 Celebrity Rap Superstar Himself Television special 2007 Scrubs "Caramel Bear" Ricky Episode: "My Growing Pains" 2010 Eastbound & Down Catuey 7 episodes 2012 Napoleon Dynamite Pedro Sánchez (voice) 6 episodes 2015 Constantine Julio Episode: "The Saint of Last Resorts: Part 2" 2016 Bordertown Ruiz González (voice) Episode: "Viva Coyote" 2016 Deadbeat Morgue Ghost Episode: "El Caboose" 2019 Perpetual Grace, LTD Felipe Guillermo Usted 9 episodes 2021 The Casagrandes Picosito (voice) Episode: "Bend It Like Abuelo" 2022 Made for Love Oz Wimmer Episode: "Another Byron, Another Hazel" 2022 FBI: Most Wanted Oscar Zamora Episode: "Succession"
References

External links

Category:1973 births
Category:American people of Salvadoran descent
Category:American male actors of Mexican descent
Category:American male film actors
Category:American male television actors
Category:Hispanic and Latino American male actors
Category:Male actors from Los Angeles
Category:American twins
Category:20th-century American male actors
Category:21st-century American male actors
Category:Living people