Podcast Summary
From Jail to Hollywood: Danny Trejo's Extraordinary Life: Actor and restaurateur Danny Trejo shares his wild life experiences from encountering Charles Manson in jail to saving Kiefer Sutherland from a psychopath, showcasing his resilience and the unexpected twists and turns of his extraordinary life
Danny Trejo, a renowned actor and restaurateur with a highly recognizable face in Hollywood, shares his wild and fascinating life experiences in his new memoir. From encountering Charles Manson in jail to saving Kiefer Sutherland from a psychopath, Trejo's stories span seven decades of living on the edge. Despite his tough exterior and hard-living past, he is a deeply rounded individual with a desire to give back. Writing his memoir was a long and collaborative process, with Donald Logue, a friend who understood both the streets and literature, helping to capture Trejo's unique voice. The memoir is a testament to Trejo's resilience and the unexpected twists and turns of his extraordinary life.
Lessons from Prison Life: Prison life taught valuable lessons about survival, avoiding conflict, and the potential consequences of actions.
Survival in extreme environments, like prison, shapes an individual's perspective on life and teaches valuable lessons. The uncle in question taught his nephew that fighting and bullying are not solutions, and instead, one should avoid conflict and be prepared for violence if necessary. The nephew learned that the cost of losing an argument can be high, as it could lead to loss of reputation and potential harm. This mindset was a result of the harsh reality of prison life, where arguments could escalate to deadly violence. Another lesson was learned from a Mexican gang rivalry over a pair of stolen shoes, highlighting the potential consequences of seemingly insignificant actions. Overall, the experiences in prison taught the nephew invaluable lessons about life, survival, and the importance of avoiding conflict.
A former criminal shares tales of past heists and the dangerous consequences: Former criminal recounts past crimes, acknowledges dangerous consequences, and shares advice against gang involvement
The speaker's past involved several instances of petty crimes, including a robbery for a pair of shoes that led to violent consequences. He also mentioned some larger-scale heists, such as the Circle Liquor and Dale's Market robberies. The speaker acknowledged his past criminal tendencies and how they stemmed from a need for money. He also reflected on how the ease of access to guns today makes committing crimes more dangerous. The speaker also shared an anecdote about being mistakenly linked to robbing Antonio Banderas and denied it. Lastly, he shared his uncle's advice against joining prison gangs and how it influenced his decision to stay away from the Mexican mafia. Overall, the speaker's experiences highlight the dangerous and often violent consequences of criminal activities and the importance of making better choices.
Prison experiences shaped Danny Trejo's perspective: Danny Trejo found solace and unexpected bonds in prison, but also faced challenges and violence. His experiences highlight the complex realities of incarceration.
Danny Trejo's experiences in the juvenile justice system, including his time in tough prisons like San Quentin, shaped his perspective and even inspired him in unexpected ways. One particularly memorable moment was when a guard played a song called "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" for him, and he wondered if it was written for him. Trejo also shared an encounter with a less intimidating version of Charles Manson in county jail, where they bonded over shared struggles and Manson even protected Trejo and his cellmates. Despite the challenges, Trejo found solace in the community and culture within the prison system. However, it's important to note that not all experiences were positive, and many were marked by violence and exploitation. Overall, Trejo's story highlights the complex realities of incarceration and the resilience of those who have been through it.
Charlie Manson's Use of Hypnosis to Manipulate Followers: Charlie Manson used his charisma and hypnotic abilities to manipulate vulnerable followers, leading them to commit violent crimes.
Charlie Manson used hypnosis to manipulate and control his followers, leading them to commit crimes they wouldn't have otherwise. During this time, Manson was in prison, and he used the vulnerability of his followers to recruit them, promising them safety and guidance. Manson's charisma and ability to manipulate through hypnosis allowed him to lead his followers into committing violent acts, such as the Tate-LaBianca murders. The followers, who were already broken and vulnerable, saw Manson as a savior and were willing to follow his commands. Manson's manipulation led to a riot in prison, where he and two others were sent to solitary confinement, and he faced the possibility of the death penalty. Despite his potential, Manson's actions led him to a life of crime and violence, ultimately resulting in his downfall.
A second chance in life leads to helping others: Danny Trejo's resilience and dedication to helping others after surviving against all odds, including addiction and brain surgery, is what led to his successful career and inspiring others.
Danny Trejo's life was given a second chance after being released from prison in 1969, and he believes every good thing that has happened to him since then is a result of helping others. He draws a parallel to the British series "Peaky Blinders," where soldiers made a deal that everything after surviving a deadly situation was a bonus. Trejo's survival against all odds, including brain surgery and addiction, is attributed to his strong faith and commitment to helping others, which he has fostered through 12-step programs since the late 1950s. Despite the challenges and dependencies, he persevered and continues to do so, inspiring others with his resilience and dedication.
The importance of community in overcoming addiction and personal struggles: Community support through accountability, friendship, and therapy are crucial for healing from addiction and personal struggles.
Overcoming addiction and personal struggles is not something that should be done alone. The speaker shares his own experiences of trying to deal with resentments and addictions without the support of a community or program, and how it ultimately led him to continue carrying the burdens that caused his issues in the first place. He emphasizes the importance of accountability, friendship, and therapy in the healing process. The speaker also reflects on how his own experiences led him to help others and eventually transition into the movie industry. Overall, the message is that true freedom from the root causes of addiction and personal struggles requires the support and guidance of a community.
Unexpected opportunities can lead to personal growth and professional success: Seizing opportunities, staying true to yourself, and making a positive impact can lead to personal growth and professional success.
Sometimes, unexpected opportunities can lead to significant personal growth and professional success. In the case of Danny Trejo, training Eric Roberts for a movie role led him to work with renowned director Andrei Koskovski and earn his SAG card. However, Trejo learned that even if the world perceives you as a movie star, it doesn't change how you feel about yourself. He also discovered that consistency and reliability can make you invaluable to a production, as people will appreciate your dedication and professionalism. Additionally, Trejo emphasized the importance of leaving every situation better than when you found it, no matter what role you're playing. Overall, Trejo's experiences highlight the value of seizing opportunities, staying true to yourself, and making a positive impact on those around you.
Learning on the job: Danny Trejo's early acting career: Danny Trejo started as an extra, learned valuable skills, and seized opportunities to level up in his acting career despite being typecast.
Danny Trejo's early acting career was a form of on-the-job training. He started out as an extra, making only $3.20 a day, but even in these early roles, he had to learn various skills such as memorizing lines, interacting with the camera, and understanding how to portray different characters. Despite feeling typecast as a "mean Mexican guy with tattoos," Trejo learned valuable lessons from mentors like Eddie Bunker and Dennis Hopper, who encouraged him to take his craft seriously and to fully commit to his roles. It was through these experiences that Trejo began to level up and eventually land more substantial speaking roles, such as in "Death Wish" with Charles Bronson. Overall, Trejo's career demonstrates the importance of seizing opportunities and continuously learning and growing, even in the face of challenges and seemingly insignificant roles.
Acting with authenticity and embracing painful deaths: Danny Trejo's acting style is known for authenticity and willingness to endure painful deaths on screen. He shares stories of Robert De Niro's suggestion during 'Heat' and Kiefer Sutherland's request for help, showcasing his commitment to his craft and intimidating reputation.
Danny Trejo's acting style is characterized by authenticity and a willingness to embrace painful deaths on screen. He shares an anecdote about Robert De Niro's suggestion during the filming of "Heat," where Trejo's character begs De Niro to kill him, and how it resonated with Trejo's own thoughts. Another story involves Kiefer Sutherland seeking Trejo's help when someone threatened his family, and Trejo's response was to intimidate the person, demonstrating Trejo's reputation as a tough guy both on and off screen. These experiences highlight Trejo's commitment to his craft and his ability to bring intensity and emotion to his roles.
Perceptions of Help and Egos in Hollywood: In Hollywood, accepting help can challenge egos and self-image, leading to resentment. Respect and understanding are crucial for maintaining strong friendships and harmonious work environments.
The way we perceive help and those who offer it can greatly impact our ego and self-image. In Hollywood, those who are seen as tough or invincible may struggle to accept help, leading to fragile egos and potential resentment. Danny Trejo shares how his friendships with individuals who came up in similar circumstances, like Mario and Max, have remained strong despite their differences in roles and circumstances. He also recalls the experience of filming Con Air with a cast of "wannabe tough guys," where contests and competition led to resentment and tension. Ultimately, Trejo emphasizes the importance of respect and understanding, regardless of one's role or status.
The Power of Respect and Authenticity: Respect and authenticity can help bridge gaps between different communities and individuals, even those with contrasting backgrounds or reputations. Understanding and respecting others is key to building meaningful connections.
Respect and authenticity can bridge gaps between different communities and individuals, even those with contrasting backgrounds or reputations. Danny Trejo, a former criminal turned actor, shared stories from his life, including his experiences working with comedic legends like Will Ferrell and navigating the Mexican mafia. He emphasized the importance of understanding and respecting others, as opposed to disrespecting or mocking them. This approach allowed him to gain respect on both sides of the fence and build meaningful connections. Trejo's life story is a testament to the power of redemption, adaptability, and the ability to find common ground with people from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, he runs a record label, Trails Music, and is releasing new music soon.
