Hollywood stalwart Danny Trejo has demonstrated the true spirit of the season, volunteering his time at the Los Angeles Mission ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. The 81-year-old actor, known for his tough-guy roles, shared profoundly inspiring words of hope for families facing difficult times.
A Message of Hope and Community
In a conversation with TMZ, Trejo revealed the personal philosophy that drives his charitable work. 'The more I can do for people, the better my life gets,' the veteran actor stated. He directed a specific message of solidarity to those affected by the recent ICE raids in Los Angeles, urging, 'To the families... You know what? Keep up hope. Help your neighbour and do whatever you can for people in need.'
Trejo's appearance came after he had to publicly confront a bizarre death hoax earlier this year. In August, a false report from Polonia News prompted former castmate John Leguizamo to post a premature 'R.I.P.' on his Instagram story. Trejo was forced to take to his own Instagram to reassure concerned fans, writing, 'Thank you all for your concern but I am very much alive,' and adding, 'Someone is spreading fake news.'
Addressing Health Concerns and Looking Forward
The actor also provided an update on his physical wellbeing, commenting on his recent knee replacement surgery. 'I’m doing good. I had my knee fixed,' he confirmed. His recovery has been a topic of discussion amongst followers after he was spotted in a wheelchair at a Toronto airport terminal in October, accompanied by his 37-year-old son, Gilbert. By later that month, however, he was back on his feet, walking into his Trejo's Cantina in Hollywood.
When asked for a health update at a World Series watch party, he simply and positively replied, 'Everything is beautiful.' He attributed his positive outlook to his faith, sharing, 'That’s the way I get… I feel better all the time, you know. And I almost died. I was sick and just knowing that… umm… He’s got my back.'
Staying Active in Hollywood and Beyond
Despite these challenges, Trejo remains remarkably active in his career. He made sure to promote the latest season of his History Channel series, Mysteries Unearthed With Danny Trejo, announcing, 'I am getting ready to do that History Channel. I'm going to be on the History Channel this month.'
His recent professional recognitions include winning the Best Variety/Reality Show award for Mysteries Unearthed at the 40th annual Imagen Awards in Beverly Hills on August 22. The ceremony, which celebrates Latino talent and was broadcast on October 1 on PBS, also honoured John Leguizamo, though he did not attend. Trejo's recent activities also included hosting a meet-and-greet and concert for his record label, Trejo's Music, at the Regent Theater in LA on August 30, and taking part in a 15th-anniversary screening of Machete at Vidiots in LA.
Reflecting on the current anxieties many people face, Trejo offered a simple yet powerful prescription for worry. 'I know people are worried right now. And when you worry it’s like you gotta get out of yourself… and say, "You know what? Let’s do something. Let’s do something for somebody." And it just seems to work,' he shared with TMZ on Wednesday. His actions and words continue to serve as a testament to a life dedicated to service and community.
