Esai Morales

Esai Morales is a philosopher, a storyteller, a performer, and he can talk a blue streak about everything from gender roles to racism to drug use. But just don't ask this 39-year-old actor's ideas to be crystal clear all the time. To his credit, he often knows when he's veering off a life script, and on this afternoon he's anticipating a scolding from his publicists and manager.

Actor Esai Morales has sold his home in Hollywood Hills West for $1.175 million. The Midcentury-style house, built in 1957, features vaulted wood-beam ceilings, skylights, French doors, two fireplaces, four bedrooms, three bathrooms and 2,479 square feet of living space. A swimming pool sits in the backyard. Morales, 50, played Lt. Tony Rodriguez on "NYPD Blue" (2001-4) and starred with Lou Diamond Phillips in "La Bamba" (1987). More recently he had a recurring role on "Fairly Legal" (2011-12)

Billy Dee Williams, Esai Morales, Latin Grammy-winner Albita and Justina Machado will star in "The Mambo Kings," a new Broadway musical about two Cuban brothers and their journey from 1950s Havana to the posh nightclubs of Manhattan. The musical opens Aug. 18 at the Broadway Theatre. Preview performances begin July 20. "The Mambo Kings" will play an out-of-town engagement at San Francisco's Golden Gate Theatre, May 24-June 19.

Billy Dee Williams, Esai Morales, Latin Grammy-winner Albita and Justina Machado will star in "The Mambo Kings," a new Broadway musical about two Cuban brothers and their journey from 1950s Havana to the posh nightclubs of Manhattan. The musical opens Aug. 18 at the Broadway Theatre. Preview performances begin July 20. "The Mambo Kings" will play an out-of-town engagement at San Francisco's Golden Gate Theatre, May 24-June 19.

Esai Morales doesn't want to talk about his high-profile television pilot or his upcoming TV miniseries. He's finished--for the day, anyway--anguishing over his acting career, which has had more ups and downs than a novice skier on a black diamond run. What Esai Morales really wants to tell you about is what happened last night at the local pool hall, where he stepped between two hulking men just in time to prevent bloodshed.

Most actors consider themselves lucky to appear on one television series. Esai Morales can currently be seen in two: the long-running ABC drama "NYPD Blue" and the PBS drama "American Family." In addition to acting, Morales is on the national board of the Screen Actors Guild. He shared some of his favorite ways to unwind: Set sail I'm a landlubber who's becoming sea-friendly. I'm learning to sail on a 1960s-era 25-foot Cal [sailboat] at the marina [in Marina del Rey].

Actor Esai Morales has sold his home in Hollywood Hills West for $1.175 million. The Midcentury-style house, built in 1957, features vaulted wood-beam ceilings, skylights, French doors, two fireplaces, four bedrooms, three bathrooms and 2,479 square feet of living space. A swimming pool sits in the backyard. Morales, 50, played Lt. Tony Rodriguez on "NYPD Blue" (2001-4) and starred with Lou Diamond Phillips in "La Bamba" (1987). More recently he had a recurring role on "Fairly Legal" (2011-12)

Esai Morales, who played Rashid in "On Wings of Eagles," is the most exciting, attractive and talented young man I've seen this season. His dominating action, in stark contrast to the program's otherwise dull and routine performances, saved the second half. Let's see much more of him. Paula Lea, Arcadia

"The Mambo Kings" has found its new Fernando Perez. David Alan Grier will portray the nightclub impresario in the Broadway-bound musical opening Aug. 18. He replaces Billy Dee Williams, who withdrew from the production because of an aggravated hip condition. Also starring in the musical, which is based on Oscar Hijuelos' novel and begins preview performances July 20 at the Broadway Theatre in New York, are Esai Morales, Jaime Camil, Albita and Justina Machado.

Latino Group Blasts Academy: NOSOTROS, an organization dedicated to improving the image of Latinos, has criticized the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for not including Hispanics as presenters in this year's Academy Awards ceremony.

Most actors consider themselves lucky to appear on one television series. Esai Morales can currently be seen in two: the long-running ABC drama "NYPD Blue" and the PBS drama "American Family." In addition to acting, Morales is on the national board of the Screen Actors Guild. He shared some of his favorite ways to unwind: Set sail I'm a landlubber who's becoming sea-friendly. I'm learning to sail on a 1960s-era 25-foot Cal [sailboat] at the marina [in Marina del Rey].

Esai Morales is a philosopher, a storyteller, a performer, and he can talk a blue streak about everything from gender roles to racism to drug use. But just don't ask this 39-year-old actor's ideas to be crystal clear all the time. To his credit, he often knows when he's veering off a life script, and on this afternoon he's anticipating a scolding from his publicists and manager.

Esai Morales doesn't want to talk about his high-profile television pilot or his upcoming TV miniseries. He's finished--for the day, anyway--anguishing over his acting career, which has had more ups and downs than a novice skier on a black diamond run. What Esai Morales really wants to tell you about is what happened last night at the local pool hall, where he stepped between two hulking men just in time to prevent bloodshed.

Rodriguez Goes Late: Actor-comedian Paul Rodriguez will host a new prime-time entertainment talk show on Spanish language station KMEX, Channel 34 starting Friday. The show will air Fridays from 10-11 p.m. and feature interviews with celebrities, a house band and a host of crazy antics. Guests on the first show include actor Esai Morales, actress Liz Torres and and singer Suzy Gonzalez. "El Show de Paul Rodriguez" will be taped in Los Angeles before an audience.