Acting · San Antonio, Texas, USA · Born February 24, 1961
Emilio Rivera (born February 24, 1961) is a distinguished Native-Latino American businessman, entrepreneur, film and television actor, and producer, best known for his powerful portrayal of Marcus Álvarez, the president of the Mayans Motorcycle Club, in the acclaimed FX series Sons of Anarchy (2008–2014) and its spin-off Mayans M.C. (2018–2023). With a career spanning over three decades, the San Antonio-born actor has become one of Hollywood's most recognizable "tough guys," often cast in high-stakes crime dramas and action films such as Con Air (1997), Traffic (2000), and Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017). Beyond his signature biker roles, Rivera has displayed significant range in series like Z Nation, where he played Hector "Escorpion" Alvarez, and the Netflix coming-of-age dramedy On My Block.
MovieBodyman
2026
as Javier Ortega
MovieUnder Fire
2025
as Valentino
MovieCuisine de la 'Pocalypse
2025
as Murray
TVLandman
2024
as Luis Medina
MovieHoly Cash
2024
as Actor
MovieChuck Zito: An American Story
2024
as Self
TVHot Ones Versus
2024
as Self
MovieThe Movie Teller
2023
as Trabajador 3 / José
MovieDante's Hotel
2023
as Captain Pasado
MovieFlamin' Hot
2023
as Vacho Montañez
TVThe Upshaws
2021
as Barkavious
TVLaw & Order: Organized Crime
2021
as Miguel 'El Diablo' Olivas
MovieLove and Betrayal on the Force
2020
as George (voice)
MovieRide Hard: Live Free
2020
as Gauge
Movie3 from Hell
2019
as Aquarius
MovieTo Hell and Back: The Making of 3 From Hell
2019
as Self
MovieEl Chicano
2019
as Shadow
TVCarl Weber's The Family Business
2018
as Alejandro Zuniga
MovieVenom
2018
as Lobby Guard Richard
TVMayans M.C.
2018
as Marcus Álvarez
MovieDon't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot
2018
as Jesus Alvarado
MovieEl Camino Christmas
2017
as Vicente Cruz
MovieAvenge the Crows
2017
as Carlos Santiago
MovieSmartass
2017
as Poco Efe
MovieBadsville
2017
as Lucky Lou
Movie48 Hours to Live
2016
as Gunner
MovieStreet Level
2016
as Pete
MovieNorth by El Norte
2016
as Big boss
MovieHitman: Agent 47
2015
as Fabian
MovieMercy for Angels
2015
as Machetto
TVZ Nation
2014
as Escorpion
Movie10 Cent Pistol
2014
as Melville
TVGang Related
2014
as Tio Gordo
MovieWater & Power
2014
as Norte
MovieBullet
2014
as Speedy
MovieAmerican Lowrider
2013
as Paisa
MovieFilly Brown
2013
as Mani
MovieThe Devil's in the Details
2013
as Bill Duffy
MovieThe Obama Effect
2012
as Hector Santiago
MovieC'mon Man
2012
as Steven
MovieAct of Valor
2012
as Sanchez
MovieBudz House
2011
as Big Happy
MovieNarcocorrido
2011
as Ramon
MoviePlatinum Illusions
2011
as Boss Hogg
MovieCinema Verite
2011
as Nightwatchman
MovieCholo Comedy Slam: Stand Up and Lean Back
2010
MovieAmerican Flyer
2010
as Big Boss
MovieNext Day Air
2009
as Bodega
TVLie to Me
2009
as Tony Calvo
TVThe Mentalist
2008
as Martin
TVSons of Anarchy
2008
as Marcus Alvarez
MovieStreet Kings
2008
as OG Vato
TVTerminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
2008
as Mexican Police Chief
TVMoonlight
2007
as Chemma Tejada
MovieDelta Farce
2007
as Jorge
MovieSpider-Man 3
2007
as Policeman at Sand Truck
TVRaines
2007
TVBrothers and Sisters
2006
as The Sponsor
TVShark
2006
as Detective #1
MovieSplinter
2006
as Jesse
MovieFun with Dick and Jane
2005
as Day Laborer
TVMy Name Is Earl
2005
as Victor
TVBones
2005
as Ramon Ortez
MovieHarsh Times
2005
as Eddy
TVWeeds
2005
as El Coyote
TVKojak
2005
MovieShort Fuse
2005
as Camacho
MoviePurple Heart
2005
as Deputy
MovieDoing Hard Time
2004
as Officer David Teal
MovieEl padrino: The Latin Godfather
2004
as Rudy
TVCSI: NY
2004
as Little Stevie
MovieSucker Free City
2004
as Detective Zepada
MovieCollateral
2004
as Paco
MovieCake
2004
as Fidel
MovieBruce Almighty
2003
as Hood
MovieA Man Apart
2003
as Garza
MovieConfessions of a Dangerous Mind
2002
as Benitez
MovieHigh Crimes
2002
as Salvadoran Man
MovieRoad Dogz
2002
as Big Joe
MovieAli G Indahouse
2002
as Rico
TVThe Shield
2002
as Navaro Quintero
MovieTomcats
2001
as Sampson (uncredited)
MovieTraffic
2000
as Salazar Soldier #2
MovieThe Base 2: Guilty as Charged
2000
as Pvt. Alberto Ramirerz
TVCSI: Crime Scene Investigation
2000
as Bank Robber #1
TVGirlfriends
2000
as Nick
TVTitus
2000
as Castro
TVSon of the Beach
2000
TVLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit
1999
as Benito Escobar
TVL.A. Heat
1999
MoviePros & Cons
1999
as Con 1
MovieCon Air
1997
as Carlos
MovieThe Cable Guy
1996
as Jail Inmate
MovieRage
1995
as Javier
TVJAG
1995
as Drug Runner
MovieMurder Was the Case
1995
as Reporter #2
TVER
1994
as Emilio Cardazco
TVThe X-Files
1993
as Brigham
TVWalker, Texas Ranger
1993
as Juan 'Loco' Morales
TVRenegade
1992
as Rafe
TVBeverly Hills, 90210
1990
as Felipe
MovieThunder and Lightning
1977
as Honeydew Driver
Purgatory
MovieRZR Cyber Protocol
as Felix
How To Date Again
as Rancher
Grit
as Self
The Gunfighter
as Sanchez
MovieBeneath the Cinder Block
as Hugo
