
He was born and raised in El Paso Texas. Miguel Ortega (father) was a cross country truck driver and Paulina Ortega (mother) a housewife. Began career doing summer stock theater for 2 years - El Paso Del Norte. Moved to Los Angeles in 1978. Shortly after arriving, he started to work as a stuntman on a picture by the name of Hooper (1978). His first acting job was in a guest starring role on a TV show by the name of CHiPs (1977). He has won a Stuntman's Award - Most Spectacular Sequence - "North & South" miniseries. He also won a Screen Actors Guild Award - Outstanding Performance By Cast - Traffic (2000).

Knots Landing
TV • 1979

Walker
TV • 2021

Columbo
TV • 1971

Martial Law
TV • 1998

Star Trek: The Next Generation
TV • 1987

Dallas
TV • 1978

Magnum, P.I.
TV • 1980

Falcon Crest
TV • 1981

Lethal Weapon
TV • 2016

Arrested Development
TV • 2003

V.I.P.
TV • 1998

Renegade
TV • 1992

Renegade
TV • 1992

Brooklyn South
TV • 1997

CHiPs
TV • 1977

Babylon
MOVIE • 2022

Traffic
MOVIE • 2000

L.A. Confidential
MOVIE • 1997