Rubén Blades

Blades has had great success in the Anglophone movie world, but musically he has done well keeping close to his Latin roots. Buscemi also wrote, directed, and starred in the film Trees Lounge in 1996. Blades has stated in interviews that he believes his biggest mistake was releasing an English-language album in 1988 in the wake of his 1987 Grammy for Escenas — a trap he sees other Latin artists falling into. He had previously been involved in the series, as he directed a popular episode of the HBO series several years ago. Blades' 1999 album Tiempos which he made with the 12-piece Costa Rican band Editus, represented a break from his salsa past and a rejection of commercial trends in Latin music. In 2004, Buscemi joined the cast of The Sopranos as Tony Soprano's cousin and childhood friend, Tony Blundetto. In 1999, he played Mexican artist Diego Rivera in Tim Robbins' Cradle Will Rock In 1997, Blades headed the cast of singer/songwriter Paul Simon's first Broadway musical, The Capeman, based on a true story about a violent youth who becomes a poet in prison. He avoided the cameras and did all the work anonymously.

His many film appearances include The Milagro Beanfield War (1988), The Two Jakes (1990), Mo' Better Blues (1990), and Devil's Own (1997). The day after 9/11 he went to his old fire station to volunteer, working twelve hour shifts at ground zero for a week searching for survivors. During the 1990s, he acted in films, got a doctorate in international law from Harvard University, mounted his unsuccessful presidential bid, founding the party Movimiento Papa Egoró, and continued to make salsa records. Buscemi was a New York City firefighter from 1980 to 1984. He was also the subject of Robert Mugge's documentary The Return of Ruben Blades, which debuted at that year's Denver Film Festival. He also occasionally appears in films by the Coen Brothers. This same year he earned a master's degree in international law from Harvard University. Quentin Tarantino uses Buscemi (sometimes uncredited) in nearly all his movies.

In 1985, Blades gained widespread recognition as co-writer and star of the independent film Crossover Dreams as a New York salsa singer willing to do anything to break into the mainstream. The characters that Steve Buscemi chooses to play are generally neurotic and paranoid. In 1982, Blades got his first acting role in The Last Fight writing the title song as well as portraying a singer-turned-boxer vying for a championship against a fighter who was played by real life world champion boxer Salvador Sánchez. Although usually a supporting actor, he has had critical success as a lead actor, particularly his role as Seymour in Ghost World. In the early 1980s, Blades began his career in films as a composer of soundtracks. Pink in Reservoir Dogs, Rockhound in Armageddon, Donny in The Big Lebowski, and Carl Showalter in Fargo (movie). When he was free of his contractual obligations, Blades signed with another label, Electra, and assembled a top-notch band (known variously as Seis Del Solar or Son Del Solar) and recorded a number of albums with them. Buscemi's memorable roles include Mr.

These are generally considered toss-offs and Blades himself told his fans to avoid them. He is an associate member of the experimental theater company The Wooster Group. After 1980, Blades tried to terminate his contract with Fania, but he was contractually obligated to record several more albums. Steve Buscemi (born December 13, 1957 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American film and stage character actor. His first lead role was opposite Richard Ganoug in Parting Glances (1986). Their album Siembra (1978) became the best-selling salsa record in history. Home on the Range (2004). Shortly thereafter Blades started collaborating with trombonist and band leader Willie Colón, and they recorded several albums together. Big Fish (2003).

Blades began his musical career in New York playing with local bands while working in the mailroom at Fania Records, and soon was working with salseros Ray Barretto and Larry Harlow. Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003). In 1974, Blades moved to the United States, staying temporarily with his exiled parents in Miami before moving to New York City. Spy Kids 2: Island Of Lost Dreams (2002). After obtaining degrees in political science and law at Panama's Universidad Nacional, Blades worked at the Bank of Panama as a lawyer. The Laramie Project (2002). His grandfather, Reuben Blades, was a black worker from St Lucia, and had come to Panama to build the canal. Deeds (2002).

Blades's father is a percussionist-turned-detective and his mother was a singer and radio performer. Mr. His most famous song is "Pedro Navaja", a song about a criminal whose day to die has come. Monsters, Inc. (2001). Blades is completely bilingual, working both in English and Spanish. Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001). In September 2004, he was appointed minister of tourism by Panamanian president Martín Torrijos. Ghost World (2000).