Luis Contreras
Known for Acting · 55 credits
- Born
- 1950-09-18
- Died
- 2004-06-20
- Place of birth
- San Juan, Puerto Rico
Biography
Tall, lean, and wiry, 6-foot-4 Euro-Indigenous Latino American character actor. The son of Euro-Indigenous Latino American character actor, Roberto Contreras. Luis Contreras was born on September 18, 1950. Lean and wiry, often sporting a mass of curly hair and drooping mustache, with his piercing dark eyes and angular face Contreras ranged between portraying various criminals and police officers. Contreras made his film debut as a Federale in Steven Spielberg's wonderful science fiction classic "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." He also popped up as a zoot suiter in Spielberg's hilarious all-star comedy "1941." Contreras frequently acted in movies for director Walter Hill: "The Long Riders," "48 HRS.,""Extreme Prejudice," "Red Heat," "Geronimo: An American Legend," and "Last Man Standing." Contreras was especially memorable as a grocery store security guard in the cult classic sci-fi black comedy "Repo Man," the vicious ringleader of a gang of cocaine cowboys in "Stand Alone," a hostile eye-patched biker in the delightfully madcap "Pee-wee's Big Adventure," and a deranged homeless man who terrorizes a trio of teenage girls in the "A Night on the Town" episode of the hugely enjoyable horror anthology "After Midnight." Contreras also did guest appearances on the TV shows "CHiPs," "Quincy M.E.," "T.J. Hooker," "Knight Rider," "Riptide," "Hill Street Blues," "Simon & Simon," "Night Court," "Hunter," "Matlock," and "Carnivale", regularly working through the 1970s and 1980s. Luis Contreras died of cancer at the tragically young age of 53 on June 20, 2004.
Known For
TV Shows (16)
Falcon Crest
1981
as Inmate Tony
Knight Rider
1982
as Coyote / Voice #2
Quincy, M.E.
1976
Night Court
1984
as Defendant #2 / Mr. Alvarez
T. J. Hooker
1982
as Cezar Moro / Louis Pordeo
Simon & Simon
1981
Matlock
1986
as Inmate #2
Airwolf
1984
as Mule
Hunter
1984
as Gunman
CHiPs
1977
Carnivàle
2003
as Proprietor
The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.
1993
as El Gato
Tales of the Gold Monkey
1982
Hallmark Hall of Fame
1951
as Beggar
Heart of the City
1986
as Desk Clerk
The Oldest Rookie
1987
Movies (39)
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
1977
as Federale
Bound by Honor
1993
as Realthing
Red Heat
1988
as Lupo
48 Hrs.
1982
as Gang Member
1941
1979
as Zoot Suiter
Last Man Standing
1996
as Comandante Ramirez
Pee-wee's Big Adventure
1985
as Biker #2
Repo Man
1984
as Mr. Humphries' Security Guard
Geronimo: An American Legend
1993
as Rurale Officer
Sunset
1988
as Jail Inmates
Blue City
1986
as Lieutenant Ortiz
Extreme Prejudice
1987
as Lupo
The Long Riders
1980
as Man at the Bar
Running Scared
1986
as Thug (uncredited)
Criminal
2004
as Carlos
Walker
1987
as Benito
Borderline
1980
Straight to Hell
1987
as Sal
After Midnight
1989
as The Dogs' Master (segment "A Night on the Town")
The Winner
1996
as Guy in Couple
Suburban Commando
1991
as Ringo
Barbarosa
1982
as Angel
El Diablo
1990
as Pestoso
Missing Pieces
2001
as Beggar
Dollman
1991
as Jackson
Big Trouble
1986
as Terrorist #2
Stand Alone
1985
as Look-Out
Rio Diablo
1993
as Pedro Almenzar
Heart Beat
1980
as Mexican Junkie
Police Story: The Freeway Killings
1987
as Apartment Manager
Across the Line
2000
as Timex
American Tragedy
2000
as Bum
Lower Level
1991
as Street Person
Dragstrip Girl
1994
as Raoul
Desert Kickboxer
1992
Walking the Edge
1985
as Jesus
A Touch of Scandal
1984
as Eugenio Salvador
The Last Married Couple in America
1980
as Party Guest
Wednesday Afternoon
2004
as The Bartender
About Luis Contreras
Tall, lean, and wiry, 6-foot-4 Euro-Indigenous Latino American character actor. The son of Euro-Indigenous Latino American character actor, Roberto Contreras. Luis Contreras was born on September 18, 1950. Lean and wiry, often sporting a mass of curly hair and drooping mustache, with his piercing dark eyes and angular face Contreras ranged between portraying various criminals and police officers. Contreras made his film debut as a Federale in Steven Spielberg's wonderful science fiction classic "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." He also pop… With 55 credits spanning from 1951 to 2004, Luis Contreras has appeared in 39 films and 16 TV shows.
Fans searching for Luis Contreras movies, Luis Contreras filmography, or the latest projects starring Luis Contreras can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Luis Contreras Movies
- Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) — as Federale
- Bound by Honor (1993) — as Realthing
- Red Heat (1988) — as Lupo
- 48 Hrs. (1982) — as Gang Member
- 1941 (1979) — as Zoot Suiter
Where to Watch Luis Contreras Films
Most Luis Contreras movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Luis Contreras, check our movies catalogue and browse page.