Well known for his roles in Machete, From Dusk Till Dawn, and Spy Kids, Danny Trejo shared his messages of recovery and redemption on Friday at Southwestern College to kick off the President’s Speaker Series.
Trejo met with Restorative Justice program students and gave them signed copies of his memoir, “Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood” and sold copies to benefit the SWC Restorative Justice Scholarship.
“It is about community connectedness and hearing stories about people who have been successful in business, arts, entertainment,” SWC Superintendent and President Dr. Mark Sanchez said.
From as early as the age of 12, Trejo struggled with addiction. He found sobriety through attending 12-step meetings while in prison and has been sober for more than five decades.
“I had a lot of good role models, but I chose to follow someone that wasn't one,” Trejo said during the president speaker series. “Growing up, you could either be a laborer, work in a body shop, or a criminal.”
Trejo went to juvenile hall as a youth, which led him to San Quintin State Prison, where he served a harder sentence. He earned a high school diploma during his time in San Quinten and learned that education is key to success.
After being released, Trejo decided to transition away from a life of substance abuse and violence and became a drug counselor.
“Everything good that has happened to me has been a direct result of helping someone else,” Trejo said. “I came out of prison in 1969. I made a deal with God that I would say his name every day and do whatever I can for my fellow man."
Trejo continues to speak at campuses and prisons mentoring young men and women worldwide.
“I just know that with God, all things are possible. The problems that you have are all minimal compared to where you came from,” Trejo said. “I always say stop worrying about not getting what you want and just be thankful.”
The Mexican-American actor credited the karmic good in his as the result of selfless actions.
“I know how it feels when you get out of prison. At the California Department of Corrections, you are a loser, a failure, and they're just waiting for you to come back,” Trejo said. “I made a promise that I would do whatever I can for my fellow man, and that is what I've been doing. Stay out of prison by being of service to your family and community.”
Now at the age of 77, Trejo said he plans to continue spreading messages of recovery and redemption.
“I'm 77 years old, and I still live off wage jobs, so I'll do it for a while. It's important for my well-being, and I'm trying to help a lot of people along the way,” Trejo said.
SWC President Speakers Series seeks “ to provide a diverse perspective from community leaders and business, entertainment leaders, so we can hear those elements people invest in to become successful,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez credits the work of Rick Najera, an award-winning screenwriter, actor, director, producer, and national speaker whose work is recognized in many spaces of entertainment, for “bringing this connection of Hollywood to Southwestern College”.
Sanchez announced that the college is in conversation with Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James to bring them on campus in September to share their story.
