Danny Trejo was born in Los Angeles, California in 1944. Both of his parents were Mexican American, and his father was a construction worker. During the 1960s, Trejo was always in and out of prison. His final prison sentence was approximately 5 years, and he even spent time in a juvenile detention centre. All in all, he was incarcerated at around six different Californian prisons until around 1972.

In San Quentin state prison, Trejo picked up boxing and was highly successful across lightweight and welterweight divisions. He also worked with a 12-step program to overcome his drug addiction. In 2011, he revealed that he had been sober from drugs for over 40 years.

Breaking into movies

While working as a youth drug counsellor, a patient of Trejo’s invited him onto the set of Runaway Train. Trejo was subsequently offered a role as an extra – ironically, in a prison scene. The screenwriter of the film, Edward Bunker, recognised Trejo since both had been incarcerated at San Quentin. Bunker was aware of Trejo’s boxing skills and subsequently asked Trejo to help train Eric Roberts for a boxing scene in the film.

After his work on the film “Runaway Train”, Trejo was offered supporting character roles in a range of other movies. His distinctive, thug-like appearance made him a desirable asset on films featuring criminals and nefarious characters. He has also collaborated with acclaimed American director, Robert Rodriguez, responsible for films like “Spy Kids”, the “Sin City” series and the “Machete” movies, in which Trejo plays the lead role. Ironically, Trejo and Rodriguez are second cousins; however, this was something that neither men knew about until later in their professional relationship.

Trejo currently resides in the San Fernando Valley and has two children with his former spouse, whom he divorced in 2009.

With a plethora of streaming services available (Netflix, Stan, Binge, Amazon Prime and Disney+), it’s easy to see why bingeing has become the new norm in how we watch television. Whether it be drama, comedy, thriller, romance or horror, there are heaps of excellent tv shows out there. If you’re looking for a new show, check out some of the most “bingeable” options below:

Breaking Bad (2008-2013)

Breaking Bad premiered on AMC in 2008. Its first season was well-received; however, it certainly didn’t set the world on fire. It wasn’t until season 3 that the show took hold and became a critical phenomenon. Adored by fans and critics alike, Breaking Bad finished its run in 2013 as one of the greatest shows of all time.

Stranger Things (2016-)

As of 2020, Stranger Things has become one of Netflix’s flagship programs. It has a huge cult following, and a broad fanbase, which has helped launch the careers of both its child and adult stars/ The creators of the show have forecasted that it will end after its fifth season, likely in 2021 or 2022.

The Office (2005-2013)

Known for launching Steve Carrell’s career, “The Office” is the US version of the acclaimed British series, created and starring Ricky Gervais. There’s nine seasons worth of content and some awesome moments and storylines, making it one of the easiest mockumentaries or sitcom-style comedies going around.

House (2004-2012)

In the mid to late 2000s, House was one of the most-watched shows in the world. It was well-received by audiences and critics, primarily because of its exciting premise and Hugh Laurie’s lead performance. If you’re looking for something different and unique, with interesting characters and storylines, House should undoubtedly be at the top of your list.

There is often a divide between how critics appraise a film and your average audience. Every now and then, a movie comes along that is well-received by both parties. On the other hand, there are hundreds of films that are adored by audiences, only to be despised and ridiculed by critics. A few movie titles coming to mind? Here’s a list of some of the “best” films that critics shunned or loathed when released.

Last Christmas (2019)

Paul Feig’s “Last Christmas” didn’t exactly set the world on fire with critics. Most critics were indifferent to the film, ridiculing the predictability of the film’s twists and plot. However, it’s since emerged as a new Christmas favourite for many audiences, primarily because of its beautiful London setting, charming characters and uplifting tone. If you want a good film with holiday niceties, try “Last Christmas” – and ignore the critics.

The Girl on the Train (2016)

Starring Emily Blunt, this psychological thriller was deemed to be dull and uninspiring by critics. However, it turns out most of the regular audience enjoyed it. While it didn’t rise to the cinematic heights or the greatness of an Alfred Hitchcock thriller, it is perfectly enjoyable and suspenseful. Yet again, ignore the critics.

The Mummy (1999)

Now that we’ve seen the disastrous 2017 reboot starring Tom Cruise, it’s safe to say that the original film, released in the late 90s, really wasn’t that bad at all. The acting and storyline are perennially underrated, ensuring it’s well worth a re-watch at some point.

Predator (1987)

Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger in the lead role, “Predator” was initially repudiated by critics, with many film theorists calling it shallow and lacking in substance. Over time, however, the film has emerged as a classic of the action genre and rightfully so. If you still haven’t seen this gem yet, steer clear of reviews of the film from when it was released.