# Efren Ramirez

Efrain Antonio Ramírez (born October 2, 1973) is an American actor, 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 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 later annulled.
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

Film work by Efren Ramirez Efren Ramirez's film credits :
| Year | Title | Role(s) | 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 | The Pool Boys | 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 | Airman Díaz (voice) | |
| 2022 | Satanic Hispanics | The Traveler | |
| 2023 | Due Justice | Detective Santigo | |

### Television

Television work by Efren Ramirez Efren Ramirez's television credits :
| Year | Title | Role(s) | 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" |