Anecdotes

He and Leonardo DiCaprio were both in the running to do competing James Dean biopics in 1995. The James Dean Foundation, who held rights for the project, endorsed Chapa over DiCaprio. The project came to a screeching halt, however, when all its producers were murdered at a street light in Culver City, California, as outlined in the book Once Upon a Time in Hollywood by Rod Lurie.

Has achieved worldwide notoriety and legions of fans, particularly within the Latino community, for his portrayal of Miklo Velka in the cult film Les princes de la ville (1993), which has gone on to become the highest grossing Latin film in history.

Is of Irish, Mexican and Italian and Native American descent.

Is fluent in Spanish and can speak moderately in Italian and German.

Served in the U.S. Navy for three years traveling the world on three different ships.

First acting job was in New York as a stand-in for Madonna's "Papa Don't Preach" music video.

Had a serious alcohol and substance abuse problem during his 20's. One day he decided enough was enough and built up the courage and strength to seek help through meetings. He has since been successfully sober for over 25 years.

Four films in which he had starring roles (Les princes de la ville (1993), Piège en haute mer (1992), Street Fighter : L'Ultime Combat (1994) and Argent comptant (1997)) have earned a combined gross of a quarter billion dollars at the worldwide box office.

Favorite actor is Montgomery Clift.

Has four children.

Was involved in a motorcycle accident that nearly killed him while shooting a scene for his film Brando Unauthorized (2011). He suffered injuries including a broken hand and facial bruising. As a result the production was temporarily delayed, however after eight hours he got back on his feet and resumed filming. A clip of the accident can be seen during the acid trip scene in the film.

Sold siding as a teenager. And ran a go-go joint at 17 years old for his Uncle Johnny. His uncle was shot several times and was considered a "gangster". Chapa's other uncle Enrique was a "hired hit man in Texas".

His eldest brother Rico died of cancer at the age of 30. He opened a production company named Rico Films in his memory, later changing the name to Amadeus Pictures.

Has directed Stacy Keach and Rachel Hunter in four films, Robert Wagner and Joe Estevez in three films, and Faye Dunaway, David Carradine, Brad Dourif and Gary Busey in two films.

Received the keys to Corpus Christi, TX in an illustrious ceremony directed by the city's mayor.

His father Rico Chapa owned a bar across the street from Hustler Magazine publishing tycoon Larry Flynt's first go-go joint in Columbus, OH. They knew each other.

Gave his son Presley Chapa the middle name "Scorsese" after his favorite film director Martin Scorsese.

Grew up with two brothers and two sisters. He is the second eldest of five children.

Won the Anthony Quinn Award for Acting at the 11th Annual East L.A. Chicano/a Film Festival [2005].

Won Best Director and Best Feature awards at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival (NYIIFVF) for his film Brando Unauthorized (2010).

Most recent project was a film he directed; Streets of East LA, which features Paz De La Huerta, Angus Macfadyen, and Damian Chapa.

Attended the 18th Street theater in New York for many years.

His first two films in Hollywood had him starring in Les princes de la ville (1993) and Piège en haute mer (1992), both with a combined budget of $70 million.

Famed French director/producer Luc Besson gave him the lead role in a movie called "Sword of Light" where he was to play a matador, however the project fell through due to funding.

Independent filmmaker (2000-present).

Was coached by master dialector Robert Easton at one time.

Bond girl Jill St. John's final screen appearance before retiring, was in his film The Calling (2002).