Background and career
Demián Bichir Nájera (Spanish pronunciation: [deˈmjam biˈtʃiɾ ˈnaxeɾa]; born 1 August 1963) is a Mexican actor. After starring in telenovelas, he began to appear in Hollywood films. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in A Better Life.
Bichir was born on 1 August 1963 in Torreón. His parents are actors Alejandro Bichir and Maricruz Nájera. His brothers, Odiseo and Bruno, are also actors. His paternal family is of Lebanese origin. He worked at the National Theater Company, Shakespeare and Dostoyevsky, and the Mexican Association of Theater Critics. He attended the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute.
Bichir is known for his work as a Mexican actor. After starring in telenovelas, he began to appear in Hollywood films. He played Fidel Castro in Che. He starred in the television series The Bridge and Grand Hotel. His directorial debut film A Circus Story & A Love Song premiered at the Morelia International Film Festival. Other films including A Better Life, Alien: Covenant, Chaos Walking, The Hateful Eight, The Nun, and Without Blood. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in A Better Life.
He is an American Civil Liberties Union Ambassador of Immigration Rights. His second wife, Stefanie Sherk, died in a swimming pool on 12 April 2019. Bichir has a daughter, Gala.
