That's Entertainment: Dan Guerrero and the Making of a Hollywood Original
The exuberant Dan Guerrero performs his critically acclaimed one-man show, ¡Gaytino!
Dan Guerrero in Los Angeles in the mid 1940s with his father, Lalo Guerrero, considered by many to be the “father of Chicano music.”
Guerrero acted and danced in off-Broadway productions early in his career. This photograph was taken in 1963 in New York City by photographer Jack Mitchell.
Guerrero performed the part of Conrad Birdie in the production of Bye Bye Birdie at the Sharon Playhouse in Connecticut. Reviewer Michele Gerrig wrote: “Danny Guerrero beautifully belts out Conrad’s rocking numbers, swivels hips in Elvis fashion, guzzles down cans of beer, and struts about in true super-star style.”
“Danny Guerrero” dancing in Ben Bagley’s musical comedy The Decline and Fall of the Entire World as Seen Through the Eyes of Cole Porter. Performed at the Washington Theater Club.
Guerrero also performed the Ben Bagley musical at the White House for President and Mrs. Nixon in January 1970. This was the first of various meetings with U.S. presidents.
As a successful Broadway talent agent Dan Guerrero discovered some of Hollywood’s most well-known celebrities, including actresses Fran Drescher (top middle), Sarah Jessica Parker (bottom), and Salma Hayek.
Head producer Dan Guerrero with a bevy of celebrities and showgirls at the 100th El Show de Paul Rodriguez. This was the first national, bilingual talk and sketch-comedy show where many luminaries were interviewed, including Cesar Chávez and Jack Lemmon. The show ran from 1990-1994.
Directing singer Linda Ronstadt who performed for the 100th El Show de Paul Rodriguez, 1992.
With tablemates Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor at the 32nd Annual Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s Awards Gala in Washington, D.C. honoring Latinos in the arts. Dan Guerrero accepted a medal on behalf of his father Lalo Guerrero immediately following remarks by President Barack Obama.
As a producer-director Guerrero hams it up with the make-up team.
Guerrero posing alongside his father, Lalo Guerrero, who in 1998 received an ALMA (American Latino Media Arts) award from the National Council of La Raza. The award celebrates Latinos in the entertainment industry.
Guerrero directing a rehearsal of ¡Adelita! The Women of the Mexican Revolution with playwright Luis Valdez and UFW labor leader Dolores Huerta at the 2009 San José Mexican Heritage and Mariachi Festival. Valdez introduced Huerta as a modern-day “Adelita.” Linda Ronstadt was artistic director and Guerrero produced and directed the show.
Guerrero directing Still Life by Harry Clark, starring Beth Grant as Georgia O’Keeffe and Zilah Mendoza as Frida Kahlo. At the Los Angeles Theatre Center, 2011.
Guerrero’s advocacy has included joining with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund to speak out against Arizona SB 1070, a 2010 bill that many accused of encouraging the racial profiling of Latinos.
Guerrero’s support for Cesar Chávez (depicted with Guerrero in the top photograph) and the plight of farm workers ran deep. The death of Chávez in April 1993 brought many supporters from throughout the country to his funeral including, from left to right: Little Joe (José María De León Hernández) from the band Little Joe y la Familia, actress Rosanna DeSoto, actor “Cheech” Marin, actress Julie Carmen, actor Ed Begley, Jr., and Dan Guerrero. Bottom photograph by Jocelyn Sherman.
Guerrero’s close friendship with artist Carlos Almaraz endured until Almaraz’s untimely death in 1989 due to complications from AIDS. Almaraz is considered to be one of the most influential Chicano artists.
Images in this exhibition may be protected by copyright, or other restrictions. Responsibility for obtaining permissions, and for any use rests exclusively with the user.