Short Biography

Trejo, a Mexican-American,[1] was born Dan Trejo, Jr.[2] in Los Angeles, the son of Alice Rivera and Dan Trejo, a construction worker. He is a cousin of filmmaker Robert Rodriguez[3][4] and is from the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. As a youth, he roamed the streets around his home area, committing various crimes with his uncle and becoming addicted to drugs. He was in and out of jail many times as a teenager.

While on the streets, Trejo developed talent as a boxer and considered taking up boxing as a profession. That ambition was dashed by a lengthy prison sentence. While serving time in San Quentin State Prison, he became the California state prison champion in both the lightweight and welterweight divisions. During this time, Trejo became a member of a twelve-step program, which he credits with his success in overcoming drug addiction.

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