GUILLERMO DIAZ

Guillermo Díaz – Full Biography

Early Life and Background

Guillermo Díaz was born on March 22, 1975, in New Jersey, USA, and grew up in Washington Heights, Manhattan. He is of Cuban descent, raised in a Spanish-speaking household by immigrant parents. Growing up in a tough neighborhood helped shape his resilience and artistic drive. He discovered acting as a teenager, inspired by hip-hop culture and school talent shows, where he once performed a Beastie Boys rap that drew attention to his performance skills.

Career Beginnings

Guillermo’s acting debut came in 1994 with the independent film “Fresh”, where he played the role of Spike. The part earned him his SAG card and paved the way for his future in Hollywood. Not long after, he took on the daring role of La Miranda, a drag queen in the film “Stonewall” (1995). He gained cult status playing Scarface, a lovable stoner, in the hit comedy “Half Baked” (1998) alongside Dave Chappelle.

Breakthrough and Television Success

Díaz built a reputation as a versatile actor in both film and television. He appeared in projects like “200 Cigarettes,” “Cop Out,” “Party Girl,” “Bros” (2022), and more. However, his true breakout came from television. His powerful performance as Guillermo García Gómez, a dangerous drug dealer in “Weeds,” showed his range, and he later became a fan favorite as Diego “Huck” Muñoz in the ABC political drama “Scandal” (2012–2018), created by Shonda Rhimes.

His TV credits also include appearances on “ER,” “Law & Order,” “Chappelle’s Show,” “Girls,” “Broad City,” “United We Fall,” and more recently, “Law & Order: Organized Crime.”

Personal Life and Advocacy

Guillermo Díaz is openly gay, a fact he embraced publicly after years of navigating a tough industry. He has spoken candidly about the challenges of hiding his identity early in his career and how that experience helped him emotionally connect with the roles he played. He’s been recognized in Out Magazine’s OUT100 list for his visibility and impact on the LGBTQ+ community, both in 2013 and 2017.

Fun Facts and Personality

A proud Madonna superfan, Guillermo has attended nearly all of her concerts and even has a tattoo of her face on his right arm. Known for his humor, authenticity, and emotional depth, he’s also been part of bilingual ad campaigns like Sierra Mist’s “Mist-Takes” and has become an icon for Latinx and queer representation in Hollywood.