From his early days in notable series to his most recent roles in beloved animated movies, the best Benjamin Bratt movies and TV shows are the stand-out examples of the actor’s incredible career. Kicking off his career in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Bratt gradually found more and more success and his filmography got more impressive as he got older. Despite his leading man looks, Bratt has stayed on the path of a character actor, popping up in scene-stealing roles in a variety of projects.
Whether Bratt is playing a lead role or only appearing in a couple of key scenes, playing the hero or the villain, he always makes his presence memorable. While he has exciting projects on the horizon, including appearing in Andor season 2, taking a look back on the best Benjamin Bratt movies and TV shows to date showcases the amazing body of work he has already assembled.
10 Miss Congeniality (2000)
As FBI Agent Eric Matthews
Miss Congeniality 1
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PG-13ComedyCrimeAction
Miss Congeniality is a 2000 comedy starring Sandra Bullock as Gracie Hart, an FBI agent who goes undercover as a beauty pageant contestant to prevent a potential terrorist attack. Directed by Donald Petrie, the film features Michael Caine, Benjamin Bratt, and Candice Bergen. Gracie’s initial contempt for the pageant world evolves as she bonds with the contestants, balancing her tough persona with newfound grace.
Director Donald Petrie Release Date December 22, 2000 Cast Sandra Bullock , Benjamin Bratt , Michael Caine , Candice Bergen , William Shatner Runtime 109 Minutes
Benjamin Bratt is no stranger to playing police officers in movies and TV shows, but Miss Congeniality offered him a rare opportunity to combine such a role with some rom-com elements as well. The movie stars Sandra Bullock as an FBI agent who is investigating a plot to carry out an assassination at the Miss America pageant. Though she is a clumsy and unkempt cop, it is decided that she is the only agent who can go undercover in the event.
Bratt plays Eric Matthews, Bullock’s partner at the FBI who harbors a crush on her. He has great chemistry with Bullock and gets to play a more light-hearted hero role than he is used to. The movie itself is a funny, high-concept comedy that makes great use of Bullock’s star power as she is willing to make herself the butt of the joke as a fish out of water.
9 Clear And Present Danger (1994)
As Captain Ramírez
Clear And Present Danger PG-13ActionDramaThriller
Clear And Present Danger is a political thriller film based on the novel by Tom Clancy, where Jack Ryan, played by Harrison Ford, is appointed as the Deputy Director of the CIA. He uncovers a conspiracy involving the US President and a Colombian drug cartel, leading to a dangerous game of cat and mouse.
Director Phillip Noyce Release Date August 3, 1994 Cast Harrison Ford , Willem Dafoe , Joaquim De Almeida , Henry Czerny , Harris Yulin Runtime 141 Minutes
Clear and Present Danger is the third movie in the Jack Ryan franchise, bringing Tom Clancy’s grounded real-world spy stories to life. Harrison Ford plays Ryan for the second time in this movie as he finds himself in the highest spheres of power in the United States. Ryan begins looking into the possible secret funding of a war between rival drug cartels which reveals corruption at the highest levels of government.
Bratt plays Captain Ramírez, the leader of a special forces team that heads to South America to deal with the potential threats. His role helps to highlight the commentary on the people in the military who serve on these dangerous missions only to be let down by the people in Washington calling the shots. The movie is a gripping political thriller which some consider the best of the Jack Ryan movies.
8 Despicable Me 2
As El Macho
Despicable Me 2 3
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Now the father of his three adopted daughters, Gru’s life is about to get a lot more exciting when the Anti-Villain League, or AVL, sends their agent Lucy to recruit him for his help in tracking down a stolen mutagen that threatens the world.
Director Pierre Coffin , Chris Renaud Release Date June 26, 2013 Cast Steve Carell , Kristen Wiig , Benjamin Bratt , Miranda Cosgrove , Russell Brand , Ken Jeong , Elsie Fisher , Dana Gaier , Pierre Coffin Runtime 98 minutes
Benjamin Bratt stands out most in either charismatic roles or villain roles. Despicable Me 2 gives him the chance to combine those two elements. The family-friendly comedy continues the story of Gru, picking up where he left off in the last movie, as the former evil villain finds himself stepping away from his plans for world domination and focusing on being a parent to his three adopted daughters. However, he is called back into action to help stop an international thief El Macho (Bratt).
Bratt is one of the highlights of the sequel with his hilarious performance as the over-the-top macho villain who may also be a bit past his prime providing a fun foil for Gru. It adds to the fun and charm of the movie, making it a worthy follow-up to the original and one of the best of the Despicable Me movies.
7 Blood In Blood Out (1993)
As Paco Aguilar
Blood In Blood Out RCrimeDrama
Blood In Blood Out is a dramatic crime-thriller based on actual events by director Taylor Hackford. Three Chicano family members’ lives are changed by gang activity in their younger years living in Los Angeles, altering the trajectory of their lives forever.
Director Taylor Hackford Release Date April 30, 1993 Cast Jesse Borrego , Benjamin Bratt , Enrique Castillo , Damian Chapa Runtime 180 Minutes
One of Benjamin Bratt’s first movie roles is also one of his best, as the crime drama Blood In Blood Out helped to introduce him as a true talent in the making. The movie is based on the life of poet Jimmy Santiago Baca and focuses on two stepbrothers and their cousin, who find themselves venturing down different paths in life – one turning to art, one becoming a cop, and the other embracing a life of crime.
Bratt plays Paco, the brother who left gang life to work for the police, driving a wedge between himself and the people he grew up with. Bratt gives a fiery and energetic performance in the central role. It is an intimate crime story with Shakespearean tragedy and a strong supporting cast that includes Delroy Lindo, Ving Rhames, and Billy Bob Thorton.
6 Poker Face (2023)
As Cliff LeGrand
Poker Face ComedyDramaMystery Where to Watch
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Poker Face is a comedy-drama mystery series from writer/creator Rian Johnson (Knives Out) starring Natasha Lyonne as Charlie, a woman with the uncanny ability to tell if someone is lying easily. A drifter who lives life in the wind, Charlie Cale (Lyonne) rides through the U.S. and happens into strange cases, from theft to murder, that she wants to solve at every stop she makes. The show is designed as a crime-of-the-week drama with special guests appearing throughout the season.
Cast Natasha Lyonne , Adrien Brody , Joseph Gordon-Levitt , Stephanie Hsu , David Castaneda , Benjamin Bratt Release Date January 26, 2023 Seasons 1 Writers Rian Johnson , Lilla Zuckerman Showrunner Lilla Zuckerman
After kicking off his popular Knives Out franchise, Rian Johnson returned to the world of sleuthing in the hugely entertaining mystery series Poker Face. Natasha Lyonne stars as Charlie Cale, a woman with a unique gift. As she is able to tell whenever someone is lying, she finds herself getting mixed up in a variety of murder mysteries where she seeks to get to the truth once she knows who is telling her the lies.
The show fits into a case-of-the-week formula with new guest stars coming each week to join Lyonne, including Hong Chau, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Adrien Brody. However, Bratt is one of the few recurring characters, playing Cliff LeGrand, a hired muscle who is hunting Charlie across the country. The show is a sharply written and funny throwback crime show that fits nicely into Johnson’s excellent catalog of projects.
5 Modern Family (2010-2020)
As Javier Delgado
Modern Family TV-PGComedyMockumentary Where to Watch
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Modern Family is a comedy series that follows the unconventional Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker family as they redefine what makes a family in their modern age. Broken into sub-families, the three diverse groups shake up the nuclear formula with empty nesters, adopted children, gender neutrality, and more as they attempt to navigate the various pitfalls and comedic misadventures of their dysfunctional but warm-hearted family dynamic.
Cast Ed O’Neill , Sofia Vergara , Julie Bowen , Ty Burrell , Jesse Tyler Ferguson , Eric Stonestreet , Sarah Hyland , Ariel Winter , Nolan Gould , Rico Rodriguez Release Date September 23, 2009 Seasons 11 Showrunner Christopher Lloyd , Steven Levitan
While not a main character on Modern Family, Benjamin Bratt was a member of the central family, popping up in several episodes as Javier, Gloria’s first husband and the father of Manny. Bratt steals the show whenever he appears, playing up his charismatic persona as the wild man whose life is filled with adventure and exciting stories, much to the annoyance of Jay.
Modern Family established itself as one of the most popular sitcoms in recent years, and a big part of it was thanks to the amazing ensemble, which included memorable recurring players like Bratt. Throughout his six episodes of the series, Javier was shown to grow a lot, going from the absent father who was full of broken promises to wanting to connect with Manny during a trip around the world in Modern Family’s ending.
4 Doctor Strange (2016)
As Jonathan Pangborn
Doctor Strange 7
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Enter the world of Dr. Stephen Vincent Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), a world-famous neurosurgeon whose car accident left him unable to use his hands. As he desperately tries to find a cure to enable his hands to perform operations again, he comes across a world that leads to another dimension. After being taught about the different dimensions and learning about the constant threat that looms on Earth, he began to embrace his role as the humble protector. Taking after the responsibilities of the Ancient One who trained him before her demise, Strange goes on to become the Sorcerer Supreme himself.
Director Scott Derrickson Release Date October 25, 2016 Cast Tilda Swinton , Benedict Wong , Michael Stuhlbarg , Mads Mikkelsen , Scott Adkins , Benedict Cumberbatch , Rachel McAdams , Chiwetel Ejiofor Runtime 126 minutes
Fans might not remember that Benjamin Bratt was in the MCU with his small but pivotal role in the first Doctor Strange movie. Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Stephen Strange, a brilliant and arrogant surgeon who loses the use of his hands in an accident. Trying to find a way to heal himself, he seeks out a spiritual leader known as The Ancient One and begins his path toward becoming the Sorcerer Supreme.
Bratt appears in a couple of scenes as Pangborn, a man who had a similarly devastating injury and used magic to help him walk again. He is the connection that sends Stephen on his path to becoming one of the greatest heroes in the MCU. Doctor Strange’s post-credit scene also features a shocking confrontation between Pangborn and Mordo which could pay off in Doctor Strange 3.
3 Law & Order (1995-2009)
As Detective Reynaldo Curtis
Law & Order TV-14CrimeDramaMystery Where to Watch
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The beginning of the long-running franchise Law & Order is a crime-drama series created by Dick Wolf and launched on NBC in 1990. The series follows the day-to-day lives of detectives and legal professionals in New York who are involved in apprehending and prosecuting dangerous criminals.
Cast George Dzundza , Chris Noth , Dann Florek , Michael Moriarty , Richard Brooks , Steven Hill , Paul Sorvino , Carolyn McCormick , Jerry Orbach , S. Epatha Merkerson , Jill Hennessy , Sam Waterston , Benjamin Bratt , Carey Lowell , Angie Harmon , Jesse L. Martin , Dianne Wiest , Elisabeth Rohm Release Date September 13, 1990 Seasons 23 Creator(s) Dick Wolf Expand
Though he has had a long and successful career since then, it is likely that a lot of people first came to know Benjamin Bratt as Detective Reynaldo Curtis on Law & Order, Bratt joined the show in the sixth season and became part of one of the best ensembles in the Law & Order franchise’s long history. He played the young detective partnered with beloved Law & Order veteran Jerry Orbach as Lennie Briscoe, taking on cases in the big city.
Though Bratt was replacing Chris North on the show, he stepped into the role as the cocky yet intelligent and capable young detective, quickly becoming a Law & Order fan-favorite. Bratt remained in the role for nearly 100 episodes, and though the formula of the series never changed, he was part of the show at a point many consider to be a peak in its long run.
2 Traffic (2000)
As Juan Obregón
Traffic (2000) RCrimeDramaThriller Where to Watch
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Traffic is a film directed by Steven Soderbergh that examines the complex world of drug trafficking through intersecting stories. It focuses on the efforts of law enforcement, the legal system, and individuals connected to both sides of the drug trade. The film stars Michael Douglas, Benicio del Toro, and Catherine Zeta-Jones, among others, and presents a multifaceted view of drug-related issues and their pervasive societal impact.
Director Steven Soderbergh Release Date December 27, 2000 Cast Don Cheadle , Benicio Del Toro , Michael Douglas , Luis Guzman , Dennis Quaid , Catherine Zeta-Jones Runtime 147 Minutes
Benjamin Bratt was part of the large Screen Actors Guild Award-winning cast of Steven Soderbergh’s Traffic. The movie is an intense look at America’s war on drugs, examining the issue from a number of different viewpoints, including the politicians trying to prevent drugs from getting in the country, the Mexican police faced with unending corruption, and the addicts battling their impulses.
Bratt has a small but memorable role as Juan Obregón, the head of the drug cartel who does business with an American drug kingpin. Bratt stands out in the short amount of screen time with a performance that conveys charm and menace. He stars alongside the likes of Michael Douglas, Don Cheadle, and Benicio Del Toro in his Oscar-winning role. Soderbergh also won the Oscar for Best Director for his intense, intricate, and engrossing drama.
1 Coco (2017)
As Ernesto De La Cruz
Coco 6
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Despite his family’s generations-old ban on music, Miguel dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector, and together, they set off on a journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.
Director Adrian Molina , Lee Unkrich Release Date October 27, 2017 Cast Gael García Bernal , Alanna Ubach , Anthony Gonzalez , Selene Luna , Jaime Camil , Edward James Olmos , Renee Victor , Sofía Espinosa , Benjamin Bratt , natalia cordova-buckley , Alfonso Arau Runtime 105 minutes
Benjamin Bratt has appeared in several animated projects, and Coco is not only his best movie, but it is also one of the best Pixar movies. Coco is another example of the way the animation studio is able to explore other cultures and make universal stories set in these distinct worlds. The movie follows a young boy named Miguel who accidentally finds himself transported to the land of the dead. As he tries to return to his family and life, he also takes the opportunity to seek out his deceased relative, famed musician Ernesto de la Cruz (Bratt).
This is another example of how Bratt is so effective at creating characters who are charming and charismatic, but have a darker side to them. His character is at the center of the clever twist in the story. However, Coco is brilliant beyond that, with beautiful animation, a great sense of humor, and a touching story about family.