Danny Trejo Learns About His Ancestors' Arduous Journey from Mexico to the U.S.
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- Опубликовано: 6 фев 2025
- Because of a strained relationship with his father, actor Danny Trejo never learned much about his roots. But here, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. reveals the story of his great-grandparents' and their four children's grueling journey by foot from Mexico to the U.S. shortly after World War I.
Be sure to tune in to @PBS on Tuesday nights at 8/7c for new episodes of #findingyourroots !
The fact that Danny is 4 generations deep in this country and is still able to speak Spanish is amazing. Most second generations struggle with the language or don’t speak it at all.
Nothing worse for a kid growing up than having a parent that hates them or is a bully.
I had a father exactly like him. Got the scars on my body to show it
Same brother..
It was not so much hate but more like Mexican culture, at that time the father was more worried about what other people would say (strangers) than properly taking care of his own family,
I know this because we got to see that with our Mexican grandpa, he always refused to be hugged in public by his kids or later on his grandkids he always claimed that it was not manly to be hugged or even kissed in public, Ignorance was strong in his family because his brothers were the same, sounds ridiculous now but that's how a lot of Mexican families were raised at the turn of the century.
For me, it was vice versa. My mother took care of my sisters. I had to fend for myself. BUT IT JUST MADE US STRONGER..
Same here only my battle wounds are internal. Mentally tormented for almost 50 years and I'm 54.5 years old. All I can do is pray daily to fight the severe depression and crippling anxiety.
He’s in awe of his bisabuelo, but his bisabuelo would be in awe of him. Came from the streets of East Los & became a movie star, but more importantly a great man.
a hero
Totally true.
Moviestars are overrated
Venice, not east l.a
@@t-rod9858 regardless, he came a long way, financially, compared to his great grandpa earning $0.75 a day.
My great grandfather immigrated from San Luis Potosí with all his kids (one of them being my grandmother). They immigrated due to a wave of immigration that had occurred years before (probably the one wave of Danny’s Trejos Ancestors). Many of my great grandparents family members had already immigrated to the USA. However, once my grandmother was an adult she decided to immigrate back to Mexico while some of her siblings decided to stay. My mother and some of her siblings decided to immigrate back to the USA and repeat the story of my ancestors. This is the story of many generations within the Mexican and American border. I am proud of the rich history my kids will own.
Hi, how do you feel about such rich history? You're truly an example of a mexican american
Yo soy de San Luis Potosí, I migrated 15 years ago
Dranny Trejo has honored his bloodline and family trials with his success.Truly a model for young Hispanics of the future.
@@juanfgonzalez2039just shut up dude
The history of Hispanics, come here from Europe on ships with slaves, slaughter indigenous Build an empire from slavery, fail and come to America and pretend to be brown indigenous
Mexicans*
Isn’t he in trouble for tax fraud?
@@EriBarrNo one is safe from the government these days, especially if you speak out as a celebrity.
My son is 14 and he LOVES Danny, I hope every generation continues to recognize this great actor's talent and kindness.
This guy is an amazing actor and you can just tell that he’s a good man .
He tells a story about a game of dominos while in jail... he was very close to not being a good man, and that's what makes him special.
@@jamestaylor3805 we all have baggage of some kind.
@@kbanghart i wasn't implying baggage, but mmmkay.
@@jamestaylor3805 mmmmmm
@@jamestaylor3805 Baggage=Past. We all have one.
I love this show ❤ as a fellow Mexican American whose grandpa came on foot to give us a better life this made me so emotional
Mad respect brother ❤🕺🙏
You are American. Mexican American is what white people gave you to make you a foreign person in your land. You are American and white people are euro-American
and now you vote for trump yeah yeah
@@eu8962 😂
@@robles100 well, I guess it’s understandable why you voted for trump and being an immigrant. I don’t think you know much of the bad history of this country that Trump represents. Ignorance is a bliss they say.
My father is the exact same way. The only emotion he ever showed me was stern contempt, labored and conditional acceptance but both were always second to discipline. Dad always had to exert himself to me and anyone watching. That he was the boss and that his sons are his subordinates.
Pop was a wrecking ball, when he thought he was a builder.
Yeah bro, I hear you ❤🙏🕺
Narcissist like mine.
I want to be a builder…thank you for your insight. I hope you are strong today.
tough to grow up w a dad that way.
Mine was beyond Evil 👿 & Selfish. It was annoying to listen to his wife’s granddaughter tell me my Bio-Demon bought her Christmas gifts & taught her about life… he Never did that for me. The only thing he did was left me traumatized instead of loved & protected. I did not introduce my children to him, and thank God they have no
Memories like I do.
Im Proud to be From San Luis Potosi Mexico...
Way back in the 80's, before Danny was known to anyone, my good friend Paul and I had moved from Long Island-New York to West LA and we discovered, then got ourselves a City pass to workout in what we called, "The Pit" which is mistakenly called "Muscle Beach" by most-and Danny, like us was a regular. We got to know him as just one of the other guys who worked out on the beach. SO great to see how far he's come. Bravo Brother!
I saw Mr. Trejo a few years back at a Slot machine Gaming Show in Las Vegas. I didn't get the opportunity to meet him, but witnessed him treating everyone with kindness and respect. I was amazed at how humble he was. He would look at peoples name tag and greet you by name. Truly a genuine, humble human being.
I am a big fan of Danny and I am glad he achieved so much success after a rough start
If you ever get a chance I highly suggest eating at Trejo's tacos You won't regret it
I second that recommendation. The food is delicious and reasonably priced, and the service was lovely, really friendly and kind.
Yeah I’m here in Whittier, I’m not far away. In fact I should cruise down this weekend 😎🕺
People who know something about Mexican history would note that the year in which his grandfather/mother migrated to the US--1918--would make them refugees from the Revolucion de 1910, which was a violent civil war that brought an official end to the Porfiriato and lasted well over 15 years and in which it was estimated that 10% of Mexico's population migrated to the United States...which also coinsides with the percentage of the population that died in the violence, if I recall.
Fue lo que pensé al escuchar la entrevista, pero con lo último que Vd. menciona no parece cuadrar. ¿Cómo puede igualarse el porcentaje de refugiados con el de las víctimas de la guerra? ¡Aquello no tiene sentido!
@@jrdardonl I think he means that Mexico lost a total of 20% population
Thx for this.
My grandmother and her family came to the US in 1910, she was 10 years old. They were from the state of Durango and claimed Pancho Villa came to her village and she saw him.
Porfidio Diaz ruled for more like 50 years
Danny Trejo has an amazing story himself, and a reminder that we can all find personal redemption in our lives if we seek it ❤
Dany Trejo, I'm sending you a big hug if you ever see this comment, my dad was the same "farolito de la calle" gives light to others but not you. You gave yourself your own light! By now hopefully you can see that man, as you the adult, and understand him, for your own benefit. God bless you!
Danny Trejo is a great person.
I don’t care what Race you are, you have to respect him. Danny is a real solid dude. Salute
Danny seems like such a caring guy, sad he had to endure such a rocky start.
His past is what made him the man he is today
His rocky start helped to shape him into the brilliant Diamond that he is today. 💎💎💎 He's a one of a kind gem!
I met Danny at a restaurant a few years ago, he invited me to talk with him and his family at the table. Just the nicest person (and family). Sorry for everything he went through, but happy for the person he became
I met him as a little kid. My mom was taking a citizenship preparation class and he went in there to say hi to the students. Humble and down-to-earth person.
To here hear that his family is from San Luis potosi too is awesome...
My husband is from San Luis Potosí, we love it there. My Dad was born in San Antonio, so ironic how similar our stories are.
Never be ashamed of where you came from. I am here because I stand on the shoulders of my ancestors. I am not Mexican, but I have a similar story. I want to have children, not to pass on my legacy, but to pass on the legacy of my parents and their parents.
The sacrifices of ancestors. Danny is so humble ❤.
I love Danny, he’s played some great character roles and bit parts over the years, and it’s good to see him get starring rolls.
That’s is awesome Danny roots are from cedral San Luis Potosí, I have family that still live there to this day and it’s a small but growing town!
I admire, respect, and look up to you more than anyone thinks, your strength, resilience. To me, you are a HERO.
My great grandparents lived in a shack when they came from Mexico. My great grandfather worked on the railroad line. Their sons all served in the US Army and survived WWII and Korean War. All her kids supported my great grandmother, they had 6 sons and 2 daughters! 😊
Was reading about his life, glad he saw him mother later in life. A very tough start, I hope the rest of his life has been happier, I wish him the best, he seems like a good guy.
This was so nice to watch, I teared up more than once! What a cool guy. I can relate to not knowing much about ancestors, it's great to see someone learn about theirs.
Awesome story of overcoming obstacles but made me cry to hear Danny’s relationship with his Dad that’s very heartbreaking 😢 You’re an awesome man Mr Trejo still have a positive attitude Sir! ♥️💪🏻
Danny's mother was beautiful.
My grandparents and my father were from Durango Mexico . My grandparents lived and died in Laredo. I have been doing my family tree and I have gone way back. It's has opened my eyes,
Wow great! I'm doing my family tree. By any chance, have you gotten your double nationality in Mexico?
Doing my tree also and now also thinking about dual citizenship- any fb pages for this?
I guess many of our Mexican Ancestors followed the same path…. My Great Grandparents came From San Luis Potosí and Monterrey. We are San Antonianos en Texas❤
Mr. Danny Trejo is an LA legend. A real OG vato that knew the struggle.
Very sweet story, it makes me/ you understand what our elders went through to get us here. Thanks to the patriarchs and matriarchs that paved the way for US
Danny Trejo! Thanks for this outstanding content, Dr Gates!
Living vicariously through Trejo's family roots back to Mexico 🇲🇽 ❤
I love Danny Trejo. I'm meeting him next month, and I can't wait.
Tragic Stories, but BEAUTIFUL..!! Everyone Alive today..NEED TO REALIZE... GOD HAD A HAND IN THEM BEING HERE...
I’m a Chicano dude from L.A.. I find it interesting that Danny’s father was distant from him, but warm with family friends kid’s and family member’s kids. My grandfather was similar with his kids. I don’t know if it’s a Chicano thing or perhaps a generational thing. My mom and her siblings were raised here in Los Angeles. Boyle Heights and Lincoln Heights. My grandfather was old school and my mom’s generation were considered “pocho”. Anyway, peace from a dude from L.A.🕺😎❤️
Not all Chicano fathers are like that. I have a funny, easy going, loving, happy Dad.
@@margaretcastellano3167 no disrespect young lady. You’re correct, we all grow up different. My brother is a a good father and I’m sure your pops is awesome too. Peace sister 😎❤️🕺
by 44 seconds into the video the two men describe their fathers as kind to others & cold to them. both of the men in the video are well respected & successful.
Much respect for Mr. Trejo. We used to live like 10 minutes from his house in the SFV.
I watched the segment and was enlightened. I didn't know all this information about him. Very interesting. I found this segment by accident but I am so glad I found it and watched it. Very proud of him!
Danny Trejo deserves closure I'm glad he has something now. HE DESERVES IT!
It’s interesting how we don’t seem to give our ancestors enough credit but what they went through just to migrate to the USA 🇺🇸, is nothing short of a miracle! 🙏 🌎🙏
My grandfather was born in 1865, my father in 1910, my grandmother came to USA in 1925, my mother was born that Yr, but my grandmother didn’t like the United States and left back to Mexico, then my mother grew up, she married and it went bad, my grandmother told them that she was from America, it’s a long story, back to my father, I think we are over 2,000 strong today, Covid messed up the reunion, But it’s coming soon!
Thank you Señor L. Gates Jr&EL Señor D. Trejo 🎉
These are good hombres! Thank you Danny.
Such an awesome actor!
Doing your ancestors proud man.👍
I've read about Trejo's life journey, it would make a great movie, imo..
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE DANNY TREJO😍😍😍😍😍
A truly beautiful human ❤
Danny Trejo is an absolute legend. I appreciate him so much. He is what makes America ❤
The Man the Myth and the Legendary Danny Trejo 🙌 🫶
Met him in 2023 very nice guy. Showed him my St. Michael tattoo, he said "Oh man, God bless you."
this whole series is amazing!!! What an inspiration!
Wow , Danny
Thank you for sharing the your family story
Amazing story on what he's ancestors were and what he is nowadays....he is a great guy 👍
You know his face is so iconic that it's the face of L.A.
Besides Andre the Giant.
BRAVO 👏 Danny .You've made it in your own struggles and made it in a different ways..
Danny we love you, and you are a TRUE fighter of life. You are a true miracle of life. My dad hated me too, every word I had to say had to be thought of very carefully if not it would be horrific.
I love Danny Trejo movies.
This is awesome, looking up your ancestors, finding out their trials and success, and saying thank you for their sacrifice, his dad, I'll never understand why he wouldn't do what he did with other kids, glad you came out of the shadows Danny, God bless
Im full blood mexican and my grandma was born in texas then moved back to mexico and had all her children in mexico, this decisions changed all of our lifes....
Hi, how did it change your lives?
@ElizRued well her brother stayed in Texas (he was born there) and had all his children in houston. They were the lucky ones with US citizenship
this dude is amazing continue to heal
Definitely takes a lifetime. 🙏
@@lulumoon6942 yep
No puedo escribir de manera correcta el idioma Inglés, pero el ejemplo de Danny Trejo es el ejemplo de muchos mexicanos que emigraron de su País de origen, para trabajar muy duro y conseguir una vida más digna para si y su familia.Mi admiración para el Sr. Trejo.
Great video!
Thank You Henry!!
Bonita historia...Viva Danny Trejo...
I want to give this man a hug
Robbed somebody. That sums up Danny Trejo in one short sentence. He doesn't pull his punches and he freely admits where he started from.
"Danny's parents had a tumultuous relationship"
The beginning to every Mexican relationship 😘
Excited to watch, would love to see more Mexican ancestry stories 😍
Danny, is awesome. I read your life book& I sent a copy to my brother & he got permission from the supervisor at jungle boss to have those kids read yr. Book. 4got to tell u he is a city commisener for over 27 hrs. He would like to meet u. He is from HOBBS, NM. U R AWESOME MAN AS NATIVE CHICANO. LUV U BRO.
I grew up in Northern New Mexico, Rio Arriba County.
I remember a man, Ben Trejo, who made western boots 👢. He was a great 👍 man, very friendly, good person.
He looks humble😊 I like that
My family traveled halfway around the globe to get hear. I'd say that was arduous.
danny is one heck agood actor of his ownright..blessing to you danny.. Machete~! ~!
Love danny ❤❤❤.
Its alot he wears on his sleeve...👍👍
Wow! He comes from greatness!
Hard worker mexican really strong faith on his journey not every one make it real.
Love your kids and don’t harm them mentally or physically
SAN LUIS POTOSI, same as my father. And in Texas also, Puro Houston TX
Danny god bless you always I wish I can find my roots need help to find my roots
Our dad would do that to us. He'd give kids that live around us quarters (housing project). I noticed he would make eye contact with one of us like he was taunting us. I still have conflicted feelings about him and I'm 68 years old.
Just came back from an ancestral walk … mis bisabuelos also from a little town outside of San Luis Potosí and then my grandfather moved his family from SLP to Nvo. Laredo : wild similarities due to economic migration patterns
He is a great actor
WHERE CAN I WATCH THIS FULL EPISODE OF DANNY TREJO
I ADMIRE DANNY TREJO SO MUCH!....HE IS A GREAT ACTOR....I CALL HIM MACHETE!
El bisabuelo Cirilo Garay de San Luis Potosí ❤️🇲🇽
2:34 BTW, that's not anywhere near San Luis Potosi. Saguaro cactus are in the Sonoran desert. Mexican immigrants have ALWAYS had it tough coming to the US. They're a hearty bunch.
my thoughts exactly.
Great story. However, Saguaros only grow in the Sonoran Desert. Sonora and Southern Arizona. 🤔
Powerful Actor Danny Trejo ❤
Watching these videos gives me hope to find out where i come from
Thats cool my mom is from san luis potosi i been there a few times.
@0:31 "Street angel - house devil" 🛣️😇 🏚️👿 😥
My grandmother chopped wood back about the same time in east Texas for $0.10 a day. Rent was $3.00 a month
Danny's mother was gorgeous ❤
Danny Trejo,is a great actor,I enjoyed his performances in the 1995 movie desperado,1996 movie till dusk till dawn,1998 till dusk till dawn Texas blood money,till dusk till dawn,the hangman's daughter,1999,Halloween,2007.