Jimmy Smits : Biography, Pictures, Photos, Trivia, Address, Filmography (L. A. Law, NYPD Blue)

Jimmy Smits (born July 9, 1955) is a Surinamese and Puerto Rican-American actor, perhaps best known for his long-running roles on the TV series L.A. Law and NYPD Blue. He earned an M.F.A. from Cornell University in 1982. Though born in New York, Smits has deep Puerto Rican roots and he frequently visits the island.

Smits has received various nominations for Golden Globe and Emmy Awards, and he won an Emmy in 1990. A wider audience became aware of Smits for his appearance as Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan in the Star Wars Episodes II and III.

He currently plays the role of Representative Matthew Vicente Santos of Houston, Texas in the American television drama The West Wing. Congressman Santos is the Democratic nominee for President in the fictional presidential election that will take place in November 2005 on the series. His main opponent is Republican Senator Arnold Vinick of California. Because of the show's traditionally liberal leanings, many fans speculate that Santos will win the contest, though the producers of the series insist that they have not yet decided who will win.

. Creation date : 2003/07/01 by abdest

. Last Update : 2008/07/02 by abdest

. On TV Guide : Jimmy Smits Videos, Interviews, and Clips on TVGuide's Online Video Guide