Danny Trejo’s Son Explains His Dad’s Pro-ICE Movie Controversy
IndieWire • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Danny Trejo, known for playing criminals, accepted a role as a good guy in the pro-ICE film "Pawn Shop," produced by Ben Shapiro’s The Daily Wire, without initially knowing the producers' political affiliations.
- Trejo’s son, Gilbert, explained that his father was unaware of The Daily Wire’s involvement and took the role to work, fearing legal and financial repercussions if he spoke out or withdrew.
- The film, which depicts a Mexican American pawn shop owner amid civil unrest and features controversial scenes paralleling real-life ICE incidents, has sparked protests and safety complaints during filming.
- Trejo has publicly stated he supports immigrants and is not pro-ICE, emphasizing his role as an actor telling a story rather than endorsing the film’s political message.
- Financial struggles and a prolific career with nearly 500 credits have influenced Trejo’s decision to continue working despite controversies, with his son highlighting the challenges of navigating Hollywood as an older Mexican American actor.
