Grew up on the Lower East Side of NYC

Began acting in high school with a featured part in a high school production of "Bye Bye Birdie"

Attended City College of New York

Worked as a social worker at the Henry Street Settlement House

Performed in street theater

Feature debut, a lead role in "Variety", a feminist independent film about the adult film industry

Soon landed two more TV assignments before a dry spell

TV debut, guest spot on "Miami Vice"

Studied acting for two years

First appearance in a mainstream feature, "Crocodile Dundee 2"

TV-movie debut, "Quiet Killer"

Cast in the recurring role of Hector Martinez on "NYPD Blue"

Cast in breakthrough role in director Brian DePalma's "Carlito's Way"

Won attention for his turn in "The Cowboy Way"

Cast in the short-lived television series "House Of Buggin"

Portrayed Maurice T. Rodriguez in the drama feature "Boogie Nights"

Co-starred in the HBO drama series "Oz"

Again tapped by Brian de Palma for his film "Snake Eyes"

Cast in a small but memorably funny role in director Steven Soderberg's "Out of Sight"

Cast as Eddie Ortiz in the mystery feature "The Bone Collector"

Appeared in "Magnolia," his second film with writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson

Played a prominent role in "The Limey," his second outing with Steven Soderberg

Cast in Steven Soderberg's Academy Award winning feature "Traffic"

Played Jacopo in the latest screen version of "The Count of Monte Cristo"

Appeared in the dark independent film "The Salton Sea"

Co-starred with Adam Sandler and Emily Watson in the romamtic drama "Punch-Drunk Love"

Portrayed humorously villainous Cosimo in the Soderberg-produced feature "Welcome to Collinwood"

Starred in the Fox sitcom "Luis"; the show was officially cancelled in October 2003 after airing four episodes

Played the Bald Man in "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events" based on the childrens books by Daniel Handler

Cast with Ryan Reynolds in the comedy "Waiting..." helmed by Rob McKittrick

Cast as part of an ensemble in "Fast Food Nation," Richard Linklater's adaptation of Eric Schlosser's non-fiction book

Cast in David Milch's short-lived HBO series, "John From Cincinnati"

Co-starred with Jet Li and Jason Statham in "War"