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by WILL BERMUDEZ
“The only time I felt whole and honest was when I was performing…”
After graduating from high school on the impoverished south side of San Antonio, Texas, Jesse Borrego was given the opportunity to study theater and dance at the University of the Incarnate Word. Inspired by his sister’s passion for acting, Jesse went on to study with Ronald Ibbs and Maureen Halligan, who trained Sean Connery and other notable Irish actors.
Performing at the San Antonio Expo in Mexico, an exchange of musicians, dance and theater groups between Mexico and San Antonio designed to depict Mexican history through the arts, Jesse was convinced that an acting career was his calling. Not wanting to limit himself to theater, Jesse went on to study at the California Institute of the Arts, the alma mater of such celebrities as Tim Burton, Ed Harris and Don Cheadle.
From there he moved to Los Angeles, which gave him the opportunity to audition for the TV show Fame; a three year gig where he would work alongside Janet Jackson. “It was a big deal back then,” says Jesse—the show had similar fan base and level of popularity to the current hit Glee. This was possible because Jesse refused to be a “one trick pony.” He developed his skills in music, dancing and acting by being constantly involved and performing in each of these arts, making him a “triple threat.” He admits that while this approach may have hurt his acting to a degree, it ultimately made him a more well-rounded performer.
It was after he auditioned for La Bamba that he was offered a part in the cult-classic Blood in and Blood Out. Jesse declares “staying true to who I was,” was priority for him as an actor. Realizing most Chicano parts were gangsters and drug dealers, he refused to be pigeon-holed in those types of roles. Instead, he gravitated toward more complex characters for the sake of his art. This led to roles in productions such as Con Air, Dexter, 24 and CSI.
Jesse’s passion lies in being a story-teller. From the beginning of his career as an actor, he wrote and directed his own projects. At the moment, he is directing a film called Closer to Bottom, which tells a story about overcoming depression and a love-triangle involving two brothers.
When asked how he feels about the film industry in his home state, Jesse extols the promise Texas has for filmmakers. With the help of directors such as Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez, Austin has been recognized as a legitimate locale for film production. Additionally, with the Texas Film Commission finalizing the institution of tax incentives for future film projects, an exponential growth of the industry is inevitable. Jesse, recognizing this years ago, chose to take residence in San Antonio and allocate his resources and talent from there. “And why not San Antonio?” he asks. With a growing film community and a lush cultural scene, San Antonio is fertile ground.
Currently, Jesse Borrego runs a non-profit organization called Cine Studio San Antonio. Its mission is “to inform, educate and entertain the San Antonio Film Arts Community,” pledging to “exhibit films and video works of local, regional, and national significance to help further the discussion of making San Antonio a prominent place for film production.” Driven by the fact that he was a boy from the “barrio” who rose out of poverty, one of his main goals for the organization is to connect young filmmakers and actors with the resources they need to succeed.
For more information about CSSA and Jesse Borrego’s current projects visit cinestudiosatx.org.
