[Si] TV

There is always a defining moment in an actor's career--a starring role, an award nomination--that brings them to the forefront. For Manny Perez, a once obscure thespian, that moment was all of last year. Perez managed to go from virtual unknown to mainstream regular by being the first Latino in Hollywood to have five films on the silver screen in one year. The dominicano made his film debut in the 1994 Spike Lee joint Crooklyn and has been in the spotlight ever since. Roles in New York Undercover, NYPD Blue and a host of other TV shows soon followed. Last year, Perez exploded onto the big screen with five films: Yellow, El Cantante, Illegal Tender, Bella and Rockaway. In the aftermath of his breakout season Bridgez caught up with the Rhode Island-raised actor to get the dish on his career-defining run, director John Singleton and tackling Latino stereotypes.

BRIDGEZ: You had a lot of projects come out last year, what was it like to be in five films in 12 months?
Manny Perez: Well I truly have been blessed because [that] only happens once in a lifetime, especially in the whole craft. I had Illegal Tender and the Toronto Film Festival winner Bella. This [was] the film that out of all the films [I did last year], I [thought had] the potential to be nominated for an Oscar.

BRIDGEZ: You also had a role in El Cantante. How was it working with Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez?
MP: They blew me out of the water. The film itself brings out a different life on screen. The music brings a different life. Marc was born to play this character [Hector Lavoe] and then Jennifer looks just like Puchi. They both did an outstanding job. I was truly thrilled to work with them. Off set they have this chemistry that they bring on set, because they know each other so well. They really made me feel like we were friends in real life and that was on set and off.

BRIDGEZ: Another project you were featured in was the John Singleton-produced film Illegal Tender. What interested you in that project?
MP: [What was] amazing about that film is that you have John Singleton, which to me is one of the best African-American directors out there producing alongside Franc. Reyes, a Puerto Rican director. So their combination will get the entire urban audience to go out and support which I think is important.

BRIDGEZ: Tell me about the character you played?
MP: I am basically the guy that starts off the entire story. The story takes place in 2005 but it flashbacks to 1987 and I am the father who controls the whole neighborhood. Then he does something that triggers something in the future for my son to avenge my death. It's an interesting character because he is a drug dealer but he is very classy, and I made him human.

BRIDGEZ: How was it working with John Singleton?
MP: Dude, he's like a father figure, even though he is not that old (laughs). He is always right there with you as you do a scene and if you make a mistake he is right behind you to help. The thing is you never feel like you are making a mistake because you always want to do better, because he is always saying, "Hey try this instead." So it is pretty interesting.

BRIDGEZ: Some people say they wouldn't play a "stereotypical" Latino role, what do you say to that?
MP: I think it's bulls**t. I think you should take them, and then you as the actor have to find the human side to them. You have to take them for a while until you build your résumé to a point where you can say, "OK, now I want to try something different." But as for stereotypical roles, take them and do something different with them.

Rockaway debuts on DVD on March 18.