Hunter Reese Peña
Hunter Reese Peña | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Citizenship | United States |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2012–present |
Hunter Reese Peña is an American actor, singer, and writer born to Mexican immigrant parents.[1] Hunter is best known for portraying "Ricky Vela" in the Netflix television series Selena: The Series.[2][3][4]
Life[edit]
Hunter is a bilingual actor in Hollywood, speaking both English and Spanish.[1] Hunter grew up in the Central Valley in the state of California.[5] Hunter was taught the acting technique, the Meisner technique to him by Sanford Meisner alum Don Bloomfield at The DBA Studio.[1]
Career[edit]
In Selena: The Series,[6] Hunter plays "Ricky Vela," a brilliant keyboard player who initially refuses to join the Quintanilla family band (Selena y Los Dinos), but then later accepts. Throughout the course of the series Hunter's character becomes one of A.B. Quintanilla’s greatest collaborative songwriting partners, penning some of Selena's greatest hits.[4] Among the Selena hits penned by Ricky are fan-favorites like No Me Queda Mas, Fotos Y Recuerdos, El Chico del Apartamento 512.[7]
Hunter showed his commitment to the role of Ricky by gaining 60 pounds for his portrayal.[5] Making his casting in Selena: The Series even more meaningful, Hunter revealed to Esquire Magazine: Mexico that Selena was his childhood hero.[1]
Advocacy[edit]
Hunter is an outspoken Latino actor who advocates for the advancement of Latino portrayals in media. Hunter has spoken out about the lack of Latino representation in American media, even though the Latino population represents 18% of the country's population. Adding also, that the current representation of Latinos in media (as of 2020) can often be limited to harmful stereotypes. Hunter stated that, because of this, the creation of Selena: The Series (based on Selena's life) is even more important, because it showcases Latino actors in roles that are groundbreakingly normal.[8]
Filmography[edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Shooting Sophie | Party Guy | Short |
| 2013 | Eventually | Ian | Short |
| 2014 | Sketch Juice | Hunter | TV series |
| 2016 | Tinder Chick | Samantha | Video Short |
| 2017 | Morning Ritual | Gernando | Short |
| 2020 | 60 Milligrams | Tom | Short |
| 2020 | Separation | Scott | TV movie |
| 2020 | Got Game? | Banana Peel No. 4 | Short |
| 2020–2021 | Selena: The Series | Ricky Vela | TV series |
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d "Selena, arte latinx y contar historias: una entrevista con Hunter Reese Peña". Esquire (in Spanish). December 29, 2020. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ Jean-Philippe, McKenzie (December 4, 2020). "How the Cast of "Selena: The Series" Compares to Their Real-Life Counterparts". Oprah Magazine. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ Cruz, Araceli (December 2, 2019). "'Selena: The Series' Finally Has Their Chris Perez And Los Dinos And Fans Are Getting So Excited". we are mitú music, movies, sports & Business. 100% American & Latino. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ a b Petski, Denise (November 27, 2019). "Netflix's 'Selena: The Series' Adds Seven To Cast". Deadline. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ a b KFSN (December 16, 2020). "Valley native following acting dream lands role on Netflix's 'Selena: The Series'". ABC30 Fresno. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ Beck, Lia (December 3, 2020). "Everyone in the 'Selena: The Series' Cast Looks So Much Like Their Real-Life Counterparts". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ "Exclusiva: Netflix anunció el resto del elenco de su producción 'Selena: La serie'". Sopitas.com (in Spanish). November 27, 2019. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ "Hunter Reese Peña y cómo 'Selena: la serie' dignifica a los latinos en Netflix". TVyNovelas México (in Mexican Spanish). December 28, 2020. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved February 15, 2021.