Danny Trejo has an estimated net worth of $500,000, a figure that reflects a complex financial history including early legal troubles, decades of prolific character work in Hollywood, and a successful restaurant business in Los Angeles. The Mexican-American actor, producer, restaurateur, and author has appeared in more than 300 films and television productions over four decades.
Updated March 2026: According to IMDb and Wikipedia, Trejo remains active in 2025–2026, with an upcoming voice role in Zootopia 2 and continued appearances at fan conventions including Astronomicon 2026. He debunked death rumors in late 2025 following a knee replacement procedure.
Dan Trejo was born on May 16, 1944, in Echo Park, Los Angeles, California, into a Mexican-American family with deep roots in the San Fernando Valley. He grew up in and around Los Angeles, spending much of his youth in cycles of drug addiction, petty crime, and incarceration. Trejo served time in several California prisons, including San Quentin and Soledad, where he became a boxing champion. He won the lightweight and welterweight boxing titles within the California Department of Corrections. After his release, he became active in drug rehabilitation programs, a commitment he has maintained publicly throughout his career.
Trejo’s entry into acting came through an accidental encounter on the set of Runaway Train (1985), where he was initially hired to train actors and was then cast on screen. His lean physique, tattoos, and scarred face made him a sought-after character actor, typically in villain or anti-hero roles. He appeared in major films including From Dusk Till Dawn (1996), Michael Mann’s Heat (1995), Desperado (1995), and the Spy Kids franchise. His first significant leading role came with Machete (2010) and its sequel Machete Kills (2013), both directed by Robert Rodriguez. Films featuring Trejo have grossed over $3.7 billion worldwide, per box office tracking records.
In animation and gaming, Trejo voiced characters in Zootopia (2016) and the Grand Theft Auto video game series, with a reprisal expected in the 2025 Zootopia 2 release. He has also appeared in the animated series Big City Greens. His television work spans more than 200 credits on IMDb.
Danny Trejo has been married and divorced four times. His most recent marriage was to Debbie Shreve, which lasted from 1997 to 2017. He has three children: Danny Boy Trejo (born 1981), Gilbert Trejo (born 1988), and Danielle Trejo (born 1990). He is an outspoken advocate for drug rehabilitation and sobriety, frequently speaking at charity events and volunteering at organizations such as the LA Mission, where he served Thanksgiving meals in November 2025. In 2025, he underwent a knee replacement procedure but recovered and has continued working. He lives in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles.
Danny Trejo’s net worth is estimated at $500,000. Despite appearing in more than 300 films over four decades and building a restaurant business in Los Angeles, significant earnings from his career were offset by early life circumstances and the cost-intensive nature of the restaurant industry. His financial picture reflects a long career as a character actor rather than a lead.
Danny Trejo was born on May 16, 1944, in Echo Park, Los Angeles, California. He is 81 years old as of May 2025. Despite his age, he has remained active in Hollywood and regularly attends fan conventions.
Danny Trejo stands 5 feet 6 inches tall (1.67 meters). His compact, muscular build — developed during his years as a prison boxing champion — became a defining physical characteristic in his action and villain roles.
Danny Trejo has three children: Danny Boy Trejo (born 1981), Gilbert Trejo (born 1988), and Danielle Trejo (born 1990). Gilbert Trejo is also an actor and has appeared in films and television series.
Danny Trejo lives in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, California. He owns property in the Mission Hills neighborhood valued at approximately $1.2 million, as well as additional Los Angeles-area real estate.
Danny Trejo is best known for his role as the title character in Machete (2010) and Machete Kills (2013), as well as supporting roles in Heat (1995), From Dusk Till Dawn (1996), Desperado (1995), and the Spy Kids franchise. He has appeared in more than 300 films and television productions, with box office grosses exceeding $3.7 billion.