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Pepe Serna

Pepe Serna

Actor, also producer · Born July 23, 1944 (82) · Corpus Christi, Texas, USA

Durable Mexican-American actor Pepe Serna has appeared in more than 100 feature films and 300 television shows, but is most recognized for his gritty support performances in a variety of motion pictures, including Scarface (1983) as Al Pacino's ill-fated cocaine partner, as well as the western Silverado (1985) with Kevin Costner, the crime yarn The Rookie (1990) starring Clint Eastwood and Charlie Sheen, and the drama American Me (1992) starring Edward James Olmos. In a career surpassing five decades, Pepe's characters have played on both sides of the law -- from drug peddlers to sheriffs. He was born (and raised) in Corpus Christi, Texas on July 23, 1944, the son of a naval base interpreter for Latin American pilots and a hairdresser. His desires to become an actor happened early in life, moving to Hollywood in 1969 to finally pursue his dreams. He didn't have to wait long to find steady Latino work on film and TV. Making an inauspicious debut in the exploitation film The Student Nurses (1970), Pepe found more "A" quality work after being discovered by producer Hal B. Wallis for the coming-of-age film Tim Belcher starring Richard Thomas and Catherine Burns and the western Shoot Out (1971) starring Gregory Peck. Specializing in urban, streetwise roles, he went on to mix a number of popular films (The New Centurions (1972), The Day of the Locust (1975), Car Wash (1976), A Force of One (1979), Walk Proud (1979), Honeysuckle Rose (1980), Inside Moves (1980), Deal of the Century (1983), Red Dawn (1984), Caddyshack II (1988)) with a slew of popular TV crime dramas such as "Mannix," "Police Story," "Adam-12," "The Rookies," "The Rockford Files," "Baretta," "Kojak," "CHiPs," "Barney Miller," "Scarecrow & Mrs. King," "T.J. Hooker," "Simon & Simon," "Hill Street Blues," "Miami Vice," "Cagney & Lacey" and "Diagnosis Murder." Long married to wife Diane, Pepe is a noted keynote teacher and motivational speaker who tours colleges and universities. His strong sideline as a painter has been met with critical success, having been commissioned quite frequently. His vibrant paintings and one-man stage shows reflect a serious return to his Mexican roots and was the subject of the 2015 short documentary "Life Is Art."

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
July 23, 1944 (82)
From
Corpus Christi, Texas, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
85 on MovieCove · 136 credits in all

What are Pepe Serna's films like?

Across their 32 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Morality.

What they feel like to watch

their average across 31 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category

A split, not a type: Light 13 · Serious 12 · Dark 6

A split, not a type: Grounded 18 · Stylized 10 · Heightened 3

Gentle 9 · Charged 14 · Intense 8

Steady 13 · Shifting 15 · Whiplash 3

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 18 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 8

Slow burn 11 · Even-paced 17 · Relentless 3

Casual 19 · Engaged 10 · Full focus 2

A split, not a type: Easy watch 16 · Affecting 9 · Heavy 6

Resolved 24 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 3

Roles they play

5 analyzed roles
Threshold guardian
1 of 5
Shadow
1 of 5
Herald
1 of 5
Hero
1 of 5
Shapeshifter
1 of 5

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
19
Joyful
7
Absurd
8
Melancholic
9
Warm
7
Other
34

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy14
  • Bittersweet11
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous5

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Pepe Serna's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 49 of their 85 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (30).

Subscription and free streaming for Pepe Serna's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

136 credits, 85 with a MovieCove page.

  • Disco Beats (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Lou

  • Reframed: Next Gen Narratives(2025)

    Show as Esteban Quintanilla

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all shows (provisional, few ratings)
  • Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
  • Moe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Actor

  • Flamin' Hot(2023)

    as Abuelito

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films
  • Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films
  • With Love(2021)

    Show 8 episodes · as Luis Delgado

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows
  • The Planters(2019)

    as Jesús

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films
  • The Margarita Man(2019)

    as Jose Martinez

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films
  • From the Dead(2019)

    Associate Producer · as Rodrigo

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films
  • Flavor of Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Actor

  • Downsizing(2017)

    as Señor Cárdenas

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films
  • Lowriders(2016)

    as Pepe

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films
  • Dimension 404(2017)

    Show 1 episode · as Wally Nash

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all shows
  • Monday Nights at Seven (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Paul

  • Under Water: Dive Deep (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Lil' Big Me

  • Restored Me(2016)

    as Manny

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
  • Superpowerless (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Dr. George Holst

  • Kill or Be Killed(2015)

    Associate Producer · as Rudy Goebel

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films
  • Road to Juarez (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Fortunato

  • Ana Maria in Novela Land(2015)

    as Father Miguel

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films
  • Aguruphobia(2015)

    Producer · as Nanak

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
  • Cake(2014)

    as Nuncio

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films
  • Man from Reno(2014)

    as Paul Del Moral

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films
  • White on Rice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Professor Berk

  • The Black Dahlia(2006)

    as Tomas Dos Santos

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films
  • The Virgin of Juarez(2006)

    as Eduardo Morales

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films
  • Big Dreams Little Tokyo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Mr. Gonzalez

  • Criminal Minds(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Ruben Garcia

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows
  • Latin Dragon(2004)

    as Hector Sanchez

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films
  • Exposed(2003)

    as Raoul

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films
  • Deadly Swarm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Commandante Alvarez

  • Kingpin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Justice League(2001)

    Show 2 episodes · as Shifflet (voice)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows
  • Along for the Ride (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Dr. Sanchez

  • The Zeta Project(2001)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows
  • Daybreak (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Herman Ortiz

  • Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films
  • Bread and Roses(2000)

    as Restaurateur

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films
  • Picking Up the Pieces(2000)

    as Florencio

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films
  • Luminarias (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Actor

  • The PJs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 43 episodes · as Sanchez (voice)

  • Jesse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Pappa Vasquez

  • The Brave(1997)

    as Alessandro

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films
  • Land of Milk & Honey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Danny

  • Sliders(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Roberto

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows
  • In the Flesh(1995)

    as Harlan Ramirez

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films
  • Hotel Malibu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 6 episodes · Actor

  • A Million to Juan(1994)

    as Mr. Ortiz

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films
  • Second Chances (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 10 episodes · as Salvador Lopez

  • Diagnosis Murder(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Capt. Collins

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows
  • Dudley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Santana

  • Jonny's Golden Quest(1993)

    as Agent Menendez (voice)

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films
  • Only You (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Dock Official

  • American Me(1992)

    as Mundo

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films
  • Conagher(1991)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films
  • The Rookie(1990)

    as Lt. Ray Garcia

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films
  • Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films
  • DEA (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 13 episodes · Actor

  • Bad Jim(1990)

    as Virgilio Segura

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films
  • The Forgotten (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Sgt. Pepe Gutierrez

  • Quantum Leap(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Manuel Vega

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows
  • Break of Dawn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Hector

  • Caddyshack II(1988)

    as Carlos

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films
  • The Fortunate Pilgrim (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 2 episodes · as John Colucci

  • Human Error (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Actor

  • The Three Kings(1987)

    as Alex Sweetwood

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films
  • A Year in the Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Carlos

  • Out of Bounds(1986)

    as Murano

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films
  • Matlock(1986)

    Show 2 episodes · as Walter Padilla

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows
  • Streets of Justice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Det. Almos

  • Hell Town (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Enrique

  • Fandango(1985)

    as Gas Station Mechanic

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films
  • Hunter(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Roberto Sanchez

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows
  • Miami Vice(1984)

    Show 2 episodes · as Oswaldo Guzman · as Zabado

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows
  • Red Dawn(1984)

    as Aardvark's Father

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films
  • Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films
  • Best Kept Secrets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Jim Ramos

  • Scarface(1983)

    as Angel

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films
  • Deal of the Century(1983)

    as Vardis

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films
  • Scarecrow and Mrs. King(1983)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows
  • The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Romaldo Cortez

  • Heartbreaker(1983)

    as Loco

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films
  • The A-Team(1983)

    Show 1 episode · as Tómas Jefferson

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows
  • White Water Rebels (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Harry Cutter

  • Knight Rider(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Lupo

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows
  • Cagney & Lacey(1981)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows
  • T.J. Hooker(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Frank Fierro

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows
  • Seguin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Manuel Flores

  • Vice Squad(1982)

    as Pete Mendez

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films
  • American Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Hector · as Manuel Flores · as Marpo · as Romaldo Cortez

  • Simon & Simon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Monkey Mission(1981)

    as Vito

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
  • The Greatest American Hero(1981)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all shows
  • Hill Street Blues(1981)

    Show 1 episode · as Raymond Cassiano

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows
  • 300 Miles for Stephanie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Bobby Hernandez

  • Inside Moves(1980)

    as Herrada

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films
  • Honeysuckle Rose(1980)

    as Rooster

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films
  • City in Fear (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Raymond Zavala

  • The Jerk(1979)

    as Punk #1

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films
  • The Streets of L.A.(1979)

    as Sgt. Castro

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
  • Walk Proud(1979)

    as Cesar

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films
  • A Force of One(1979)

    as Orlando

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films
  • Roots of Blood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Juan

  • The Paper Chase (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Tarantulas: The Deadly Cargo(1977)

    as Migrant Worker (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films
  • Lou Grant (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • CHiPs(1977)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all shows
  • Rafferty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Car Wash(1976)

    as Chuco

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films
  • The Killer Inside Me(1976)

    as Johnny Lopez

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films
  • Swashbuckler(1976)

    as Street Entertainer

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films
  • McNaughton's Daughter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 3 episodes · as Ruiz

  • The Deadly Tower(1975)

    as Mano

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films
  • The Day of the Locust(1975)

    as Miguel

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films
  • Bronk (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Desperate Miles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Ruiz

  • Barney Miller(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Julio Rodriguez

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows
  • Baretta (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • The Gun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Natcho

  • The Rockford Files(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Ray Ochoa

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows
  • The Last Angry Man(1974)

    as Charlie Parelli

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
  • Miracle on 34th Street(1973)

    as Y Leader

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films
  • Kojak(1973)

    Show 2 episodes · as Enorio Patias · as Rudy Diaz

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows
  • Police Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Group Marriage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Ramon

  • Kung Fu(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Los Vidrios

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows
  • The Rookies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The New Centurions(1972)

    as Young Mexican Man

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films
  • Cannon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Johnny Got His Gun(1971)

    as Jose (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films
  • Shoot Out(1971)

    as Pepe

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films
  • The Student Nurses(1970)

    as Luis

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films
  • Adam-12(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Roger

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows
  • Mannix(1967)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows
  • Three Years Gone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 135 titles, 133 of them dated from 1967 to 2025; peak year 1991.

Film career

19672025

Peak 1991 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 3 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting135 of 135: 133 only acting, 2 with another role · typical Midcredits score53rdProducing2 of 135: 0 only producing, 2 with another role

By decade

1960s2 · acting1970s34 · acting1980s39 · acting1990s19 · acting2000s17 · acting2010s16 · 16 acting · 2 crew2020s6 · acting

Billing

usually 12th · top billed in 0% of 33 roles
71818696

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Pepe Serna's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 42nd percentile, the median of all 59; across their 31 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 38th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

38thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 31

Approval · how many liked their films

36thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 31

Reach · how many have seen their films

46thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 31

Midcredits score across 85 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up20
  • 50th to 74th25
  • 25th to 49th22
  • Below 25th18

Shape of the crowd

33 of their 85 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved9
  • Universally Panned2
  • Loved with Detractors2
  • Divisive3
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser30
  • Broadly Agreed4
  • Mixed33

Reviewers score the acting 57/100 in their films, across 24 reviewed titles; fans 70, detractors 31. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Pepe Serna's work okay for kids?

Across up to 7 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 80 · intenseMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity7 titles15–64 · median 47 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 45 · moderateMedian of all films: 36
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 18 · mildMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Pepe Serna work with?

People who share at least 2 of Pepe Serna's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Jerrold Freedman shares the most, 2.

Directors

Actors

Editors

Producers