Michael DeLorenzo
Encyclopedia
Michael DeLorenzo is an American
actor, director and musician. He is best known for his portrayal of NYPD Detective Eddie Torres on the Fox
Thursday night television series New York Undercover
which was aired from 1994-1998.
section of The Bronx, New York
. He is half Italian
and half Puerto Rican. His late father, Arthur DeLorenzo was from Italy
and his mother, Carmen DeLorenzo is originally from Puerto Rico
. Michael is the second eldest of 4 children. He has 1 sister and 2 brothers.
. Shortly thereafter, while dancing, he was injured and tore the cartilage in his knee, thus affecting his immediate entry into the world of acting.
, where he played a member of the Sharks. He also appeared in the 1980 film Fame alongside Irene Cara
, Gene Anthony Ray
and Debbie Allen
.
Upon moving from New York to Los Angeles
, DeLorenzo landed a recurring role in the television adaptation of Fame
, and guest-starred on other series such as Miami Vice
. He also appeared in movies such as "Fast Forward" (1985) directed by Sidney Poitier
, and music videos for Michael Jackson
's "Beat It
" and "Thriller
"; Lionel Richie
's "Running with the Night
" and "Ballerina Girl"; and Alexander O'Neal
's "Fake
". He was also one of the main dancers during Chaka Khan
's performance of "I Feel for You
" at the 1985 Grammy Awards.
DeLorenzo won a Dramalogue Award for Best Actor in a play at the Mark Taper Forum entitled A Stand Up Tragedy (1987), where he performed different roles live and on stage. Based upon that performance, he was tapped by the producers of the ABC sitcom Head of the Class
to star as high school student, Alex Torres alongside Howard Hesseman during the last two years of the series (48 episodes, 1989–1991). Michael also appeared in Rob Reiner's A Few Good Men
(1992) as Pfc. William T. Santiago alongside Tom Cruise
, and as Rafael Cano in Alive
(1993) with Ethan Hawke. While filming "Alive", he endured months of starvation and freezing cold atop a remote mountain in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. His most notable role came with the Fox television Thursday night series New York Undercover
starring as NYPD Detective Eddie Torres opposite fellow actor Malik Yoba
. DeLorenzo and Yoba (who is African American
) made television history, as the series was the first police drama on American television to feature two people of color in the starring roles.
Mr. DeLorenzo went on to star in the Showtime drama series Resurrection Blvd.
as Carlos Santiago, the embittered boxing champion. He was also the director of 2 episodes, "Bruja" (2001) and "El Gato, El Vato, La Cena Y El Padre" (2002).
In 2004, Michael joined forces again with Malik Yoba
and The Malik Yoba National Theatre Company (MYNT) to co-star in and direct the live stage musical play entitled "Acoustic Chocolate". Written by Malik Yoba
and Raquis Petrie, the main synopsis was based on a true story concerning six (6) young musicians who dealt with issues of mental health, depression, suicide and diabetes while struggling to make the dream of pop stardom come true. The week-long show took place at The Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore, Maryland from March 30 - April 4, 2004.
After this period, He guest-starred in additional notable TV shows: as Rico Cerda in CSI: NY
, Cool Hunter (2006), as Nacio Duque in Numb3rs
(2007), as Richard Sanchez in Ghost Whisperer
(2007), and as Carlos Santiago in CSI: Miami
, Tunnel Vision" (2008).
Other previous accomplishments and work include completing two independent feature motion picture movies, "Not Forgotten
" (2009) with Simon Baker
(star of the TV series "The Mentalist
") and Paz Vega
, and "La Linea
" (2009) with Ray Liotta and Andy García
.
In mid-May 2010, Michael was in Peru filming for a new movie - a drama entitled "The City of Gardens" (2010). He portrays the power hungry, authoritative role of Lt. Gutierrez. The motion picture is currently in the works, wrapping up recent filming in Lima, Peru and continuing its production in Los Angeles, California. It is expected to be debuted and released later this year.
, some of his songs appeared on the popular show's soundtracks - one of them entitled, "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight". His songs also have appeared on Showtime's Resurrection Blvd. His most recent debut music CD entitled Rescue Me was released in 2009 and is a mix of pop
/Latin
/R&B.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor, director and musician. He is best known for his portrayal of NYPD Detective Eddie Torres on the Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
Thursday night television series New York Undercover
New York Undercover
New York Undercover is an American police drama that aired on the FOX television network from 1994 to 1998. The series starred Malik Yoba as Detective J.C. Williams and Michael DeLorenzo as Detective Eddie Torres, two undercover detectives in New York City's 4th Precinct who were assigned to...
which was aired from 1994-1998.
Life and family
Michael DeLorenzo was born and raised in the University HeightsUniversity Heights, Bronx
University Heights is a residential neighborhood of the West Bronx in New York City. The neighborhood is part of Bronx Community Board 5 and Bronx Community Board 7. Its boundaries, starting from the north and moving clockwise, are: West 190th Street to the north, Jerome Avenue to the east, West...
section of The Bronx, New York
The Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
. He is half Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and half Puerto Rican. His late father, Arthur DeLorenzo was from Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and his mother, Carmen DeLorenzo is originally from Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
. Michael is the second eldest of 4 children. He has 1 sister and 2 brothers.
Education and early career
Michael DeLorenzo is a veteran of stage and screen with more than twenty-five years in the entertainment spotlight. Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, he first began performing at the age of 7 as a dancer with Tina Ramirez's Ballet Hispanico. He went on to receive various scholarships from the School of American Ballet (SAB), the Joffrey Ballet, with a final tenure at the New York School of Ballet. At the age of 10, he danced alongside Rudolph Nureyev at the Royal Canadian Ballet. At the age of 14, he performed with Mikhail Baryshnikov and the American Ballet Theater. He went on to attend the famous Manhattan-based Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing ArtsFiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts
Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts is a high school specializing in teaching visual arts and performing arts, located near Lincoln Center and the Juilliard School in the Lincoln Center district of Manhattan, on Amsterdam Avenue...
. Shortly thereafter, while dancing, he was injured and tore the cartilage in his knee, thus affecting his immediate entry into the world of acting.
Television, movie, playwright, and dance projects: 1980 - 2008
One of his first gigs was in the Broadway revival of West Side StoryWest Side Story
West Side Story is an American musical with a script by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and choreographed by Jerome Robbins...
, where he played a member of the Sharks. He also appeared in the 1980 film Fame alongside Irene Cara
Irene Cara
Irene Cara is an American singer and actress. Cara won an Academy Award in 1984 in the category of Best Original Song for co-writing "Flashdance... What a Feeling." She is also known for her recording of the song "Fame", and she also starred in the 1980 film Fame.She married Hollywood stuntman...
, Gene Anthony Ray
Gene Anthony Ray
Gene Anthony Ray was an American actor, dancer, and choreographer. He was best known for his portrayal of dancer Leroy Johnson in both the 1980 film Fame and the 1982–1987 Fame television series based upon the film.-Early life and career:Born in Harlem, New York, Ray grew up in the...
and Debbie Allen
Debbie Allen
Deborrah Kaye “Debbie” Allen is an American actress, dancer, choreographer, television director, television producer, and a member of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities...
.
Upon moving from New York to Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, DeLorenzo landed a recurring role in the television adaptation of Fame
Fame (1982 TV series)
Fame is an American television series originally produced between 1982 and 1987. The show was based on the 1980 motion picture of the same name. Using a mixture of drama and music, it followed the lives of the students and faculty at the New York City High School for the Performing Arts. Although...
, and guest-starred on other series such as Miami Vice
Miami Vice
Miami Vice is an American television series produced by Michael Mann for NBC. The series starred Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas as two Metro-Dade Police Department detectives working undercover in Miami. It ran for five seasons on NBC from 1984–1989...
. He also appeared in movies such as "Fast Forward" (1985) directed by Sidney Poitier
Sidney Poitier
Sir Sidney Poitier, KBE is a Bahamian American actor, film director, author, and diplomat.In 1963, Poitier became the first black person to win an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Lilies of the Field...
, and music videos for Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
's "Beat It
Beat It
"Beat It" is a song written and performed by American recording artist Michael Jackson, and produced by Quincy Jones . It is the third single from the singer's sixth solo album, Thriller . Eddie Van Halen was hired to add the song's distinctive overdriven guitar solo, but was prevented by his...
" and "Thriller
Thriller (song)
"Thriller" is a song recorded by American recording artist Michael Jackson, composed by Rod Temperton, and produced by Quincy Jones. It is the seventh and final single from his sixth studio album Thriller. It was released on January 23, 1984 by Epic Records...
"; Lionel Richie
Lionel Richie
Lionel Brockman Richie, Jr. , is an American singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Since 1968, he has been a member of the musical group Commodores signed to Motown Records...
's "Running with the Night
Running with the Night
"Running with the Night" was the second single released from Lionel Richie's multi-platinum and Grammy Award-winning 1983 album, Can't Slow Down...
" and "Ballerina Girl"; and Alexander O'Neal
Alexander O'Neal
Alexander O'Neal is an American R&B singer. He is best-known for the songs "If You Were Here Tonight" and "Fake", and the duets with Cherrelle, "Saturday Love" and "Never Knew Love Like This".-Biography:...
's "Fake
Fake (Alexander O'Neal song)
"Fake" is a 1987 single by Alexander O'Neal. The single was O'Neal's most successful song on both soul and pop charts. "Fake" went to number one on the Hot Black Singles chart for two weeks, and peaked at number twenty-five on the Hot 100. The single was also O'Neal's most successful single on...
". He was also one of the main dancers during Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan , frequently known as the Queen of Funk, is a 10-time Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter who gained fame in the 1970s as the frontwoman and focal point of the funk band Rufus. While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career...
's performance of "I Feel for You
I Feel for You
"I Feel for You" is a song written by Prince that originally appeared on his 1979 self-titled album. It became a hit single in 1984 for female R&B singer Chaka Khan, appearing on her album, which was also called I Feel for You...
" at the 1985 Grammy Awards.
DeLorenzo won a Dramalogue Award for Best Actor in a play at the Mark Taper Forum entitled A Stand Up Tragedy (1987), where he performed different roles live and on stage. Based upon that performance, he was tapped by the producers of the ABC sitcom Head of the Class
Head of the Class
Head of the Class is an American sitcom that ran from 1986 to 1991 on the ABC television network. The series follows a group of gifted students in the Individualized Honors Program at the fictional Monroe High School in Manhattan, and their history teacher Charlie Moore...
to star as high school student, Alex Torres alongside Howard Hesseman during the last two years of the series (48 episodes, 1989–1991). Michael also appeared in Rob Reiner's A Few Good Men
A Few Good Men
A Few Good Men is a play by Aaron Sorkin, first produced on Broadway by David Brown in 1989. It tells the story of military lawyers at a court-martial who uncover a high-level conspiracy in the course of defending their clients, United States Marines accused of murder.It opened on Broadway at the...
(1992) as Pfc. William T. Santiago alongside Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise
Thomas Cruise Mapother IV , better known as Tom Cruise, is an American film actor and producer. He has been nominated for three Academy Awards and he has won three Golden Globe Awards....
, and as Rafael Cano in Alive
Alive (1993 film)
Alive is a 1993 American movie based upon Piers Paul Read's 1974 book Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors, which details the story of a Uruguayan rugby team who were involved in the crash of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, which crashed into the Andes mountains on October 13, 1972.The film was...
(1993) with Ethan Hawke. While filming "Alive", he endured months of starvation and freezing cold atop a remote mountain in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. His most notable role came with the Fox television Thursday night series New York Undercover
New York Undercover
New York Undercover is an American police drama that aired on the FOX television network from 1994 to 1998. The series starred Malik Yoba as Detective J.C. Williams and Michael DeLorenzo as Detective Eddie Torres, two undercover detectives in New York City's 4th Precinct who were assigned to...
starring as NYPD Detective Eddie Torres opposite fellow actor Malik Yoba
Malik Yoba
Abdul-Malik Kashie Yoba , better known by his stage name Malik Yoba, is an American actor and occasional singer. He is perhaps best known for his starring role as NYPD Detective J.C. Williams on the FOX police drama series New York Undercover or as Yul Brenner in Cool Runnings...
. DeLorenzo and Yoba (who is African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
) made television history, as the series was the first police drama on American television to feature two people of color in the starring roles.
Mr. DeLorenzo went on to star in the Showtime drama series Resurrection Blvd.
Resurrection Blvd.
Resurrection Blvd. is an American dramatic series which aired on Showtime for three seasons from 2000 to 2002.-Plot:In East Los Angeles, California, the Santiago family has had three generations of boxers within the family. They continue their battle to become boxing champions while struggling with...
as Carlos Santiago, the embittered boxing champion. He was also the director of 2 episodes, "Bruja" (2001) and "El Gato, El Vato, La Cena Y El Padre" (2002).
In 2004, Michael joined forces again with Malik Yoba
Malik Yoba
Abdul-Malik Kashie Yoba , better known by his stage name Malik Yoba, is an American actor and occasional singer. He is perhaps best known for his starring role as NYPD Detective J.C. Williams on the FOX police drama series New York Undercover or as Yul Brenner in Cool Runnings...
and The Malik Yoba National Theatre Company (MYNT) to co-star in and direct the live stage musical play entitled "Acoustic Chocolate". Written by Malik Yoba
Malik Yoba
Abdul-Malik Kashie Yoba , better known by his stage name Malik Yoba, is an American actor and occasional singer. He is perhaps best known for his starring role as NYPD Detective J.C. Williams on the FOX police drama series New York Undercover or as Yul Brenner in Cool Runnings...
and Raquis Petrie, the main synopsis was based on a true story concerning six (6) young musicians who dealt with issues of mental health, depression, suicide and diabetes while struggling to make the dream of pop stardom come true. The week-long show took place at The Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore, Maryland from March 30 - April 4, 2004.
After this period, He guest-starred in additional notable TV shows: as Rico Cerda in CSI: NY
CSI: NY
CSI: NY is an American police procedural television series that premiered on September 22, 2004, on CBS. The show follows the investigations of a team of NYPD forensic scientists and police officers as they unveil the circumstances behind mysterious and unusual deaths as well as other crimes...
, Cool Hunter (2006), as Nacio Duque in Numb3rs
NUMB3RS
Numb3rs is an American television drama which premiered on CBS on January 23, 2005, and concluded on March 12, 2010. The series was created by Nicolas Falacci and Cheryl Heuton, and follows FBI Special Agent Don Eppes and his mathematical genius brother, Charlie Eppes , who helps Don solve crimes...
(2007), as Richard Sanchez in Ghost Whisperer
Ghost Whisperer
Ghost Whisperer is an American television supernatural drama, which ran on CBS from September 23, 2005 to May 21, 2010.The series follows the life of Melinda Gordon , who has the ability to see and communicate with ghosts...
(2007), and as Carlos Santiago in CSI: Miami
CSI: Miami
CSI: Miami is an American police procedural television series, which premiered on September 23, 2002 on CBS. The series is a spin-off of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation....
, Tunnel Vision" (2008).
Recent projects (Actor, Director): 2008 - present
Michael continued his extension of his talents by further venturing into the realm of directing. The episodes he helmed from before were among the highest rated. His feature directing debut for a motion picture was with National Lampoon's "One, Two Many" (2008). The movie is now released on DVD.Other previous accomplishments and work include completing two independent feature motion picture movies, "Not Forgotten
Not Forgotten (film)
Not Forgotten is a 2009 independent thriller written and directed by Dror Soref starring Simon Baker and Paz Vega. The film takes place on the Texas-Mexico border and tells the story of a kidnapping plot involving the ritualistic cult Santa Muerte...
" (2009) with Simon Baker
Simon Baker
Simon Baker is an Australian actor. Since 2008, he has starred in the CBS television series The Mentalist.-Early life:...
(star of the TV series "The Mentalist
The Mentalist
The Mentalist is an American police procedural television series which debuted on September 23, 2008, on CBS. The show was created by Bruno Heller, who is also the show's executive producer...
") and Paz Vega
Paz Vega
Paz Campos Trigo , better known as Paz Vega, is a Spanish actress.- Early life :Vega was born in Seville, Andalusia, Spain to a homemaker mother and a retired bullfighter father. Vega's younger sister has performed as a flamenco dancer. Vega has described her family as "traditional" and Catholic....
, and "La Linea
La Linea (film)
La Linea is a 2008 action-crime-thriller film directed by James Cotten. La Linea features an ensemble cast that includes Ray Liotta, Armand Assante, Valerie Cruz, Esai Morales, and Andy García.-Plot summary:...
" (2009) with Ray Liotta and Andy García
Andy García
Andrés Arturo García Menéndez , professionally known as Andy García, is a Cuban American actor. He became known in the late 1980s and 1990s, having appeared in several successful Hollywood films, including The Godfather: Part III, The Untouchables, Internal Affairs and When a Man Loves a Woman...
.
In mid-May 2010, Michael was in Peru filming for a new movie - a drama entitled "The City of Gardens" (2010). He portrays the power hungry, authoritative role of Lt. Gutierrez. The motion picture is currently in the works, wrapping up recent filming in Lima, Peru and continuing its production in Los Angeles, California. It is expected to be debuted and released later this year.
Music (Vocals, Songwriting, Composing, Instrumentalist)
Mr. DeLorenzo is a multi-talented musician who plays guitar, drums and piano. He also has a talent for singing. He first revealed his singing ability by partnering with an R&B girl group called Teen Dream, under the moniker "Valentino" and released the single, "Get Busy" (1987). He appears in the music video as a paper doll cut-out, but did not actually sing on the record. In the mid- to late 1990s during his tenure on New York UndercoverNew York Undercover
New York Undercover is an American police drama that aired on the FOX television network from 1994 to 1998. The series starred Malik Yoba as Detective J.C. Williams and Michael DeLorenzo as Detective Eddie Torres, two undercover detectives in New York City's 4th Precinct who were assigned to...
, some of his songs appeared on the popular show's soundtracks - one of them entitled, "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight". His songs also have appeared on Showtime's Resurrection Blvd. His most recent debut music CD entitled Rescue Me was released in 2009 and is a mix of pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
/Latin
Latin American music
Latin American music, found within Central and South America, is a series of musical styles and genres that mixes influences from Spanish, African and indigenous sources, that has recently become very famous in the US.-Argentina:...
/R&B.
See also
- List of famous Italians
- List of famous Puerto Ricans
External links
- Website: http://www.michaeldelorenzo.com
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mdelorenzo
- MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/michaeldelorenzo
- IMDB Page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0217716