Loosely translated, de los Reyes means "of the kings." And there is something noble, something princely, about Kamar de los Reyes. Think Omar Sharif in Lawrence of Arabia. Errol Flynn in Captain Blood. He'd make one heck of a Zorro.
Kamar was born to swashbuckel. There is also something mesmerizingly sexy and overwhelmingly magnetic here that defies description. He oozes with charisma. He's got an extra DNA that should be illegal. Surprisingly, it has not yet gone to his head, despite being touted by People magazine as one of the "50 Most Beautiful People." De los Reyes comes across as determined and confident without even a hint of arrogance; there is a glow about him that vibrates "impending stardom."
The shallow world of show biz has understandably branded Kamar de los Reyes as a romantic lead, and yet, what he's really dying to do is gritty character stuff. He's got the talent. It's just a matter of time. A "Cuba-Rican," (his dad's Cuban, his mom's Puerto Rican), he has both that innate sensuality often found in Cubans who live to love, and the drive of the Puerto Ricans who, at present, "rule" in the Latino acting world.
The photo shoot for Latin Style was like a day trip to Havana, minus the immigration hassles. Buena Vista Social Club pulsated in the photographer's studio, and Kamar kinetically mambo-ed, vibrating with life, the lights bouncing off his gleaming caramel skin. As intoxicating as a super-sized Bacardi and Coke, he's having quite a time, and you can't tear your eyes away. The camera loves him. Much more than a moody "babe" with awesome pecs, he's a four dimensional man with music in his veins and an overwhelmingly open heart. Relaxed and easy, he radiates warmth, gentleness, and a mildly quirky intensity.
The youngest of five children born in San Juan to a musical dynasty, Kamar ate, slept, and breathed rhythm from the start. His father is the famous Cuban percussionist Walfredo de los Reyes. His brothers, Daniel and Wally Jr., are successful musicians who play with Santana, Earth Wind and Fire, Steve Winwood, Don Henley. Kamar himself was a musical prodigy--at age four he played the trumpet on stage with Dizzy Gillespie and Harry James. His family didn't "get it" when the obviously gifted Kamar chose to go it alone on a different path. Twenty nine years later at 33, de los Reyes has slowly but surely carved out a career, "pounding the pavement, learning my craft, and paying my dues"as he puts it. His no-baloney, cut-to-the-chase approach makes acting sound distinctly unglamourous; like selling encyclopedias door to door--but he's got a deep passion for it that won't be denied. He's been an actor for a total of thirteen years, working steadily for the last seven.
So why is it that this king has not yet been crowned? It's just a matter of time. Expect this Rey in waiting to be a bankable, certifiable "overnight" star of the Brad Pitt magnitude, once he's cast in the right part.
Meanwhile, opportunity has knocked in small, consistent doses.
A passionate "I Love New York"-er, De los Reyes has worked with heavyweight director Oliver Stone on Nixon, playing one fo the Watergate burglars. He's done Shakespeare in the Park opposite Patrick Stewart (as Ferdinand in "The Tempest"). He's performed to acclaim on the New York stage in "Blade To The Heat." His portrayal of gay Irish-Mexican boxer Pedro Quinn was termed "mesmerizing" by the Associated Press. For years he was Antonio Vega on daytime's popular "One Life to Live." He smolders opposite fellow Latin star Thalia in the recent Latino indie film, Mambo Café. His latest scene-stealing vehicle, The Way She Moves, a VH1 Original Movie, will get the red-hot carpet treatment for its August 29 premiere airing. Written by Duane G. Adler (Save The Last Dance), de los Reyes inhabits his character Nicholas, an impassioned dancer/choreographer holding down a nine-to-five as a dedicated elementary school teacher. As Nicholas, he 'wins' a woman (the always good Annabeth Gish) from her clueless fiancé with his dynamic dancing and subtle romancing. Who can blame her? De los Ryees is a potent mix of substance and sensuality, articulate and introspective, an exemplary representative of the "new Latino leading man."
LATIN STYLE: When did you begin dancing?
Kamar de los Reyes: I started dancing in my mother's womb. It's in the blood. I always felt that you can teach a person the steps, you just don't teach a person to dance. I pretty much grew up dancing with my mom, and I came up with my own little rhythm, moving from the waist down, and started taking classes. I don't consider myself a trained dancer, but I can learn steps quickly.
I like to move. I got started in the business dancing for Kenny Ortega on a music video, and from there Kenny invited me to do the movie, Salsa, and "Dirty Dancing" (the TV show). I purposely gave up dancing for a while, to focus on my acting, so that when this opportunity (The Way She Moves) came around, I would be taken seriously as an actor. I don't consider myself a dancer.
I consider myself a serious actor and I've worked my butt off to get there. I've been working consistently as an actor for the last seven years. I've honed my craft by working. I also study at a studio in New York called Black Nexus, Susan Badsen's studio.
It's a wonderful studio; she coaches everyone from Johnny Depp to Nichol Kidman, Juliette Binoche. She taught me how to personalize roles, that's their philosophy. I worked my butt off for this role.
Working your butt off, what did that involve?
I became a dancer. I was in class every day of the week. I was dancing 20-30 hours a week. I was running 24 miles a week. Not to mention training in the gym so that I could dance ten hours a day, if I had to. At the end of the film, I had dancer's feet, the skin on the bottom was completely ripped off!
Sounds painful. And the mental preparation?
Mentally, I wrote this character's biography. This was an upright guy. That was a big part of what attracted me to the role.
How was it working with Oliver Stone?
Working with Oliver Stone was an incredible experience. Oliver's very intense but he lets you do your thing. I was the only Cuban actor, so he let me improvise some dialogue. It didn't make it into the film, but so what? I got to sit in the conference room for five days next to Ed Harris--and watched him work--what an actor!
Who's on your list of people you'd like to work with?
People I'd like to work with? It's a mixed bag! Ang Lee, Sam Mendes, (Pedro) Almodovar, Abel Ferrara. Independents whenever possible.
Have you been offered work in other Spanish speaking countries?
No! That's funny you ask! Never! I would love to. I had this conversation with Sonja Braga lately, she's going to turn me on to an agent in Spain. I'd love to work with Aldomovar.
What are your impressions of show biz in general as it relates to Latinos?
I prefer to live and work in New York. I've been told by a few L.A. casting directors that I wasn't Latino enough! I'm Cuban and Puerto Rican--it doesn't get more Latino than that!
Guess they were looking for stereotypes. Are there any parameters for your choices?
I think it's very important for me to continue to portray positive roles. Slimy drug-dealing [characters]... that's not my deal. That's not how I want my son to see me on television or on the screen. That's not who I want to be seen as. Eventually, I want to play more meaty roles. I'm always cast in the young romantic role. Give me a good role that's well written, and I'm pretty open minded. I'll play just about anything that's well written, a great character. Just no rapists, no drug dealers. I would have loved to have played Benicio [del Toro]'s part in Traffic, or Javier Bardem's in Before Night Falls. Even Johhn Depp's role in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
Whose career would you like to have?
Withouth hesitation, Raul Julia's. What a great actor. He did everything. Shakespeare, Public Theater. A brilliant actor. Sad to say, a lot of people don't know who he was.
How do you see the Latino explosion unfolding?
Within the industry, hopefully we will see more of us in more mainstream roles. Outside of the industry, in general, I think that people are finally starting to take notice. There's a big market, as one of the largest minorities in the U.S., if not the largest--we spend a lot of money. It's time that we are taken seriously.
What about the divisions among the different groups of Latinos, Chicanos, and Hispanics?
It's a crying shame. It's important that we stop the constant squabbles within our own community. How is anyone else going to take us seriously, if we can't agree on peace amongst ourselves? I've heard it my entire life. Especially in this industry.
Some Mexicans object to being played by Cubans or Puerto Ricans. That's just complete [crap]. I don't know how else to put it. They just have to get with it. The best actor should get the role, whether he's Mexican or whatever. If you portray the role accurately, and you're the better actor, than you should be playing the [part]. That's how I feel. [laughing] I don't care if you're Danish--if you play a better Latino than I do then you should get the role! Bottom line is, the best actor should get the role--and that's not always what happens, but that's the way it should be!
What about your own family? Your mom is Puerto Rican and your dad's Cuban. How do you see yourself?
I'm a Cuban-Rican! I was born in Puerto Rico and raised closer to my mother's side of the family. My parents divorced when I was eleven years old. My mother used to send me to PR for the summers, and even though my father was a big influence in my life, and definitely around, the larger influence was definitely from the Puerto Rican side of the family. My family is just beginning to understand what I do. They are very successful musicians and couldn't understand why I didn't want to be part of that life. I chose something different.
What's special about Puerto Ricans?
There are a lot of successful Puerto Rican actors out there: Benecio, Jennifer (Lopez), Jimmy (Smits), Rosie (Perez). The obvious things? We are very passionate people, the way we walk, talk...there's a sabor to who we are. A large part of it is we have a lot of American influence. We have pride in our culture, our flag, and we want to keep it that way, but there's no denying the influence of the United States.
What are your political views? Did you know that Edward Olmos is in prison down there for protesting?
It's a crying shame. Am I against the Navy being there? Absolutely. Do I believe in the safety of the United States of America...sure. And do we need the military? Sure. Do we need to kill and injure people in the process of training our troops? No. There's got to be a different way. As far as the status of the island, it's a tough one. It's kind of a catch 22. We wouldn't have a lot of things that we have if it weren't for the United States. [But] I definitely don't want Puerto Rico to become a state.
Where did the name Kamar come from?
I chose it. I was on a set for six weeks and these women kept saying the word 'Kamar.' I finally asked them what it meant--and they said, "That's you... you're like the moon, you change shapes on a daily basis." I can be pretty quirky or quiet.
What's important to you?
I'm a Scorpio; extremely loyal. Loyalty is a big part of my life. I look for that quality in people.
Does that include agents and managers?
For the most part, yeah. They've been loyal to me; I'm loyal to them. Usually the fallings-out in my life have been because people have taken my loyalty lightly. I don't. I put my heart on the table. I consider myself to be a good friend, and a good person in that respect. Any person who is a part of my life will tell you that I'm very passionate about this.
And other passions?
My work. My family. Not necessarily in that order. I'm passionate about life in general.
What do you read?
Pablo Neruda. I love his poetry.
What is The National Hispanic Foundation for The Arts?
It's an organization founded by Jimmy Smits, Esai Morales, and Sonia Braga to give kids a chance.
You live in New York. Why?
Los Angeles tends to be transient. People spend way too much time in their cars; when we were living here a few years ago, I realized that my son as an infant would spend the majority of his day in the backseat of a car; seeing, feeling, touching nothing. He was too young to look out the window. I didn't want him to grow up with that distance. I'm a touchy, feely, rub-elbows-type-of-guy. I like hearing people's voices.
I like having people over for dinner; I like running into people on the subway, checking people's expressions out--that's such a big part of acting, what you bring. And that's kind of hard to do in L.A. Besides, I like to jaywalk, and here they give out tickets, can you believe it?
