Overview

Mini Bio

Jimmy L. Smits (born July 9, 1955) is an American actor whose career in stage, television and film spans four decades. Born in Brooklyn to a Puerto Rican mother and a Dutch–Surinamese father, he earned a B.A. from Brooklyn College (1980) and an M.F.A. from Cornell University (1982) before moving from regional theatre into television and movies. Smits rose to national prominence as attorney Victor Sifuentes on L.A. Law and later as Detective Bobby Simone on NYPD Blue. He has portrayed political and genre figures — including Matt Santos on The West Wing and Senator Bail Organa in multiple Star Wars productions — and has received a Primetime Emmy Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Off screen he helped found the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts and remains an active advocate for increased Latino representation in entertainment.

... Jimmy L. Smits was born July 9, 1955, in Brooklyn, New York, and is the son of Emilina (Pola) Smits (Puerto Rican) and Cornelis Smits (from Paramaribo, Suriname). He graduated from Brooklyn College in 1980 and earned an M.F.A. from Cornell University in 1982, after which he performed in regional theatre, including the Hangar Theatre, and with the Public Theater. Smits moved into television in the mid-1980s and became widely known for his portrayal of Victor Sifuentes on L.A. Law, a role that earned him a Primetime Emmy Award. He later starred as Detective Bobby Simone on NYPD Blue and played Congressman (later President) Matt Santos on The West Wing. In film he has appeared in a range of projects from family dramas to large franchises, including roles as Senator Bail Organa in the prequel and subsequent Star Wars productions. Smits is a co‑founder of the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts and has been a visible advocate for Latino opportunities in media; he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2021. Then & Now The 1980s After completing an M.F.A. in 1982 and moving from regional theatre into screen work, Smits rose to national prominence in the mid-1980s as attorney Victor Sifuentes on L.A. Law. That role, which brought him a Primetime Emmy Award, established him as a commanding presence in prime-time drama. His success helped broaden the visibility of Latino professionals on television and launched a steady career in high-profile TV and film roles. Now (2026) As of 2026 Smits is best known for a string of landmark television roles — including Detective Bobby Simone on NYPD Blue and Congressman (later President) Matt Santos on The West Wing — and for genre work such as Senator Bail Organa in multiple Star Wars productions. He has earned major honors, including a Primetime Emmy and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and off screen helped found the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts. Smits remains an active advocate for increased Latino representation in entertainment and is widely regarded as a trailblazer who bridged stage, television and film for future generations. Career timeline 1955 Born July 9, 1955, in Brooklyn, New York. 1980 Graduated from Brooklyn College with a Bachelor of Arts degree. 1982 Earned an M.F.A. from Cornell University and continued stage work, including at the Hangar Theatre. 1984 One of his early television appearances: guest role on Miami Vice (episode "Brother's Keeper"). 1986 Joined the cast of L.A. Law as attorney Victor Sifuentes. 1990 Won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for L.A. Law. 1994 Began starring as Detective Bobby Simone on NYPD Blue. 2002 First appeared as Senator Bail Organa in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. 2004 Cast as Congressman Matt Santos on The West Wing; the character later becomes president on the show. 2021 Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (June 4, 2021). Public reference sources Public biography and credit reference.Jimmy Smits – Wikipedia reference search Public biography and credit reference.Jimmy Smits – IMDb name search Biographical and credit details were checked against Jimmy Smits – Wikipedia reference search, Jimmy Smits – IMDb name search.