LALIFF: Pepe Serna ‘Life is Art’ Documentary

A Look at The Career of an Iconic Mexican American Character Actor

By Roberto Leal

In a career that spans almost a half-century, Pepe Serna has appeared in over 100 films and TV shows often co-starring with many actors, directors and writers who have been memorialized on the famed Hollywood Walk of Fame. 

Pepe Serna may not be a household name to the casual moviegoer but if you’ve been to the movies in the last fifty years or been watching TV you have undoubtedly seen him in blockbuster and TV shows right alongside the biggest stars playing every conceivable character role with the passion and commitment that has endeared him to so many in the entertainment industry, but especially in Latino Hollywood.

Serna’s life is a Hollywood ‘against all odds” story told in the Life is Art documentary that will be screening at the 2022 Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival on June 4, 2022. Serna also stars in the short film Abuelo which will screen before his documentary.  It is called Abuelo and it is directed by Kevin Derek and stars Izabella Alvarez as his granddaughter.

Serna’s Life is Art documentary could easily have been subtitled, A Lust for Life. Author (“Hispanics in Hollywood”) and first-time director Luis Reyes’ helms this wonderful portrait of Serna, a man who has gobbled up life with gusto and whose boundless kinetic energy and endurance would leave the Ever Ready Energizer bunny winded.

Reyes, weaves Serna’s life story of an often-overlooked actor who has overcome formidable odds to reach his goals and live life to the fullest while giving back to his community. It is told through an affectionate bouquet of testimonials by Latino friends and associates like; Luis Valdez (Zoot Suit, La Bamba), Edward James Olmos (Mayans MC, American Me), Eva Longoria-Bastón (Searching for Mexico, Grand Hotel), Cheech Marin (The War WIth  Grandpa, Tin Cup), Gloria Calderón-Kellett, Showrunner One Day At A Time, With Love) and Robert Beltrán ( Star Trek Voyager).

Born in Corpus Christi, Texas in 1944 Serna began performing at an early age in school plays. “My father was an interpreter for all the Latin American pilots at the naval base. He was very well educated. My mother was a hairdresser who sang every day”, recalls Serna fondly. By the early 1970s the ambitious, energetic, and talented Serna had made his way to Hollywood and began co-starring in countless movies and working with a laundry list of legendary directors that include Clint Eastwood, John Schlesinger, Dalton Trumbo, Roger Corman, Henry Hathaway, William Friedkin and the late Richard Donner. Had Serna been born any earlier he would have more than likely worked with D. W. Griffith and Cecil B. DeMile.

Although Serna has a long filmography resume, he readily admits his most recognizable role was with Al Pacino in Scarface. “I played Tony Montara’s refugee buddy who gets his arm lopped off with a buzz saw,” says Serna with a smile on his face as he proudly shows the dummy prop severed arm that was used in the film.

Finally a Leading Man Age of 70

After a lifetime career of small and co-starring roles, in 2014 at the age of 70, Serna got his first leading role as Sheriff Paul Del Moral in the atmospheric thriller, Man from Reno. Serna’s half-century of acting skills was on full display in a restrained, understated performance. It was the kind of character and role that would have been perfect for a TV series about a quiet, unassuming but cagey, old-time crime solver like Richard Boone’s Hec Ramsey or Peter Falk’s Columbo. Had Man from Reno been turned into a TV series it could have showcased Serna’s considerable acting chops and given him the opportunity to win a few SAG, Emmy and Golden Globe gold-plated statues for his trophy case and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

At 78, Serna is still at it and going strong, with the same enthusiasm he had when he first came to Hollywood a half-century ago. Serna is currently starring as the grandfather in Gloria Calderón-Kellet’s TV series, With Love on Amazon. Additionally, audiences can once again watch Serna on the big screen in Eva Longoria Bastón’s upcoming film, Flamin’ Hot. 

James Brown used to be introduced as “the hardest working man in show business.” Serna easily lays claim to being one of “the hardest working character actor in Latino Hollywood history.” Serna is certainly acknowledged by his peers, critics and movie-goers to be one of the greatest character actors ever to grace the silver and small screen. 

With a life full of accomplishments Pepe Serna could eventually get a well-deserved star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame. The 1.3 mile stroll of The Hollywood Walk of Fame has 2,700 stars with the names of celebrities (past and present) who have lent their talents to stage, screen, TV and radio. If one is counting, you will see only 44 Latino names that include Dolores del Rio, Lupe Velez, Gilbert Roland, Anthony Quinn, Katy Jurado, Eva Longoria, Jennifer Lopez, Cheech Marin and Edward James Olmos. You’ll even find the name of a half Puerto Rican, letter-turning, game show Latina icon, Vanna White. But one name is missing – Pepe Serna.

But Serna isn’t one to look back over his shoulder at missed opportunities. “The things I could have done had Hollywood been more open?” reflects Serna philosophically, “I don’t dwell on coulda-woulda-shoulda. Because, hey, I’ve had a great career.” Indeed. A very great career.