Danny Trejo's Surprising Turn to History Presenting
Famed for portraying tough characters in approximately 400 films and TV shows, Hollywood actor Danny Trejo is now embracing an unexpected role as a history presenter. At 81 years old, he stars in the second series of Mysteries Unearthed on Sky HISTORY and HISTORY Play, premiering on March 11 at 9pm. This move marks a stark contrast to his gritty on-screen persona and turbulent past.
A Brush with the Death Penalty
Trejo's life has been anything but ordinary. Born in Echo Park, Los Angeles, he began using drugs at age 13 and spent 11 years in and out of prison for crimes including armed robbery and drug dealing. His most harrowing experience came in 1968 during a riot at California's Soledad State Prison, where he faced the death penalty for striking a guard with a rock. Placed in solitary confinement, he made a pact with God to reform if he survived. Fortunately, charges were dropped due to a lack of witnesses, prompting him to abandon drugs and alcohol.
"I was more scared than I'd ever been," Trejo recalls. "Sitting in a cell looking at the death penalty, you can see the grim reaper next to you, laughing." After his release in 1969, he volunteered at rehabilitation clinics, which serendipitously led to his acting career when he accompanied an addict to the set of Runaway Train.
From Ex-Con to Hollywood Icon
Trejo's distinctive appearance and real-life experiences made him a sought-after actor for villainous roles. He has played 41 bad guys and holds a record for the most on-screen deaths, often due to a contract clause intended to warn youth that crime doesn't pay. "I realised that the faster you die in a movie, the more movies you could make!" he jokes. Notable roles include Navajas in Desperado, Tortuga in Breaking Bad, and Machete in the Spy Kids and Machete films.
Embracing History with Mysteries Unearthed
When offered the presenting role for Mysteries Unearthed, Trejo didn't hesitate. "Awesome, let's do it!" he exclaimed. The series explores fascinating stories behind buried artefacts and lost civilisations, resonating with his lifelong passion for history. "I love history. It was the only subject I ever got a good grade in at school," he shares. "History helps you understand more about the past, the present and also the future."
The show features remarkable discoveries by ordinary people, such as:
- A man finding Tiffany's first stained-glass windows in a church renovation, leading him to start his own religion.
- A garage sale purchase of Jackie Robinson's baseball bat, later donated to Robinson's family despite its $250,000 value.
- A homeowner uncovering a first-edition Superman comic from 1938, worth 70 times the house's price, hidden in wall insulation.
- An office worker using a Star Wars Death Star prop as a waste paper basket, eventually realising its immense value.
Trejo's Ongoing Ventures and Future Plans
Despite his new historical pursuits, Trejo shows no signs of slowing down. He runs a string of restaurants, including Trejo's Tacos on London's Portobello Road, and a donut shop. "I don't want to slow down. I love my work just as much as ever," he asserts. He admires fellow Sky HISTORY presenter William Shatner, 94, and sees his role as following in Shatner's footsteps. "We go where no man has gone before!" he quips.
Mysteries Unearthed with Danny Trejo aims to inspire viewers to explore their own surroundings for hidden treasures. "After watching, I know people are going to start looking through their attics and closets," Trejo says, noting his family's discovery of blueprints for the first cornhole game. This series highlights Trejo's remarkable transformation from a death row inmate to a beloved figure uncovering history's secrets.
