From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Rubén Blades Bellido de Luna (born July 16, 1948) is a Panamanian salsa singer, songwriter, lawyer, actor, Latin jazz musician, and politician, performing musically most often in the Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz genres. As songwriter, Blades brought the lyrical sophistication of Central American nueva canción and Cuban nueva trova as well as experimental tempos and political inspired Nuyorican salsa to his music, creating thinking persons' (salsa) dance music. Blades has composed dozens of musical hits, the most famous of which is "Pedro Navaja," a song about a neighborhood thug who appears to die during a robbery (his song "Sorpresas" continues the story), inspired by "Mack the Knife." He also composed and sings what many Panamanians consider their second national anthem. The song is titled "Patria" (Fatherland). He is an icon in Panama and is much admired throughout Latin America, and managed to attract 18% of the vote in his failed attempt to win the Panamanian presidency in 1994. In September 2004, he was appointed minister of tourism by Panamanian president Martín Torrijos for a five-year term. He holds a law degree from the University of Panama and a master's in international law from Harvard University. He is married to singer Luba Mason.
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Known For
Salsa Lives
Ruben Blades
2025
Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple
Self
2024
Stay Homas. The Band That Shouldn’t Exist
Self - Singer
2024
Nueva York: A Musical History of Latin New York
Self (archive footage)
2021
Red Pill
Rocky
2021
Raúl Juliá: The World’s a Stage
Self
2019
John Leguizamo's Latin History for Morons
Self
2018
Ruben Blades Is Not My Name
Self
2018
Hands of Stone
Carlos Eleta
2016
Fear the Walking Dead
Daniel Salazar · (82 episodes)
2015
Yo soy la salsa
2014
Invasion
Self
2014
The Counselor
Jefe
2013
Outlaws - For Greater Glory
Président Calles
2012
Safe House
Carlos Villar
2012
¡Sonó, Sonó… Tite Curet!
2011
Músicos de Latinoamérica
Self · (1 episode)
2011
The Next Season
Benito
2011
Rubén Blades: Todos Vuelven Live, Vol. 2
2011
Rubén Blades: Todos Vuelven Live, Vol. 1
2011
Spoken Word
Cruz-Sr.
2009
La clave
2008
Lo mejor de nuestra música popular: 15 años de éxitos
Self
2007
The Hunters and the Hunted: The Making of 'Predator 2'
Self (archive footage)
2005
En mi país
Rubén Blades
2004
Secuestro Express
Carla's Father
2004
Spin
Ernesto
2003
Imagining Argentina
Silvio Ayala
2003
Once Upon a Time in Mexico
Jorge, Retired FBI Agent
2003
Assassination Tango
Miguel
2003
The Maldonado Miracle
Cruz
2003
Encuentro
2002
Las Lunas del Auditorio
Self · (1 episode)
2002
All the Pretty Horses
Rocha
2000
Gideon's Crossing
Dr. Max Cabranes · (21 episodes)
2000
Latin Grammy Awards
Self · (1 episode)
2000
Cradle Will Rock
Diego Rivera
1999
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades - Live In Venezuela
Rubén Blades
1998
A Roll of the Dice: The Capeman on Broadway
1998
Chinese Box
Jim
1997
Arthouse
Self · (1 episode)
1997
From Son to Salsa
1997
The Devil's Own
Edwin Diaz
1997
Al compás de un sentimiento: la música de Pedro Flores
1996
Scorpion Spring
Border Patrolman Sam Zaragosa
1996
Somos un solo pueblo
Self
1995
Color of Night
Hector
1994
A Million to Juan
Bartender
1994
The X-Files
Conrad Lozano · (1 episode)
1993
Miracle on Interstate 880
Pastor Beruman
1993
The Super
Marlon
1991
Rabbit Ears - Joseph and His Brothers
Narrator (voice)
1991
Crazy From the Heart
Ernesto Ontiveros
1991
One Man’s War
Perrone
1991
The Josephine Baker Story
Count Giuseppe Pepito Abatino
1991
Predator 2
Danny Archuleta
1990
The Two Jakes
Mickey Nice
1990
Mo' Better Blues
Petey
1990
The Heart of the Deal
1990
The Lemon Sisters
C.W.
1989
Disorganized Crime
Carlos Barrios
1989
Dead Man Out
Ben
1989
Homeboy
Doctor
1988
The Milagro Beanfield War
Sheriff Bernabe Montoya
1988
Fatal Beauty
Carl Jimenez
1987
Critical Condition
Louis
1987
The Return of Rubén Blades
himself
1985
Crossover Dreams
Rudy Veloz
1985
The Making of Sun City
Self
1985
The Last Fight
Andy "Kid" Clave
1983
Beats of the Heart: Salsa
Self
1979