For Santa Ana College alumnus and performer Louie Olivos Jr., bright lights and cameras lie behind what drives him to carry on with the action. The 2006 SAC Hall of Fame Recipient has been recognized throughout Santa Ana and shares his talent with students of all education levels. He admits that he takes great pride in having fans and seeing his former students.
“After the screening for God’s Army, my wife and I were having lunch and all of a sudden a guy peeked through the window,” Olivos said. “He ran around into the entrance and asked for my autograph. I like when complete strangers come up to me and say ‘Hey you’re a good actor, can I have your autograph?’”
Among his honors are the 2004 Lifetime Achievement Award for Best Comedy by Nosotros American Latino Film Festival for El del los Guantes. In 2007, Olivos was selected as one of Orange County’s 100 Influential Latinos and in 2008, Mayor Miguel Pulido declared Jan. 3 as Louie Olivos Jr. Day.
“We’ve got to help each other out. It can get really hard out there,” Olivos said. “La Raza has to come together. I’m here to help la Raza.”
His play, No Christmas for Smiley, premiers Nov. 25 and will run every Sunday in December at the Santa Ana Amtrak Station in Downtown Santa Ana.
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