I took a year and a half off, when my kid was born, because I didn't want to be one of those dads where the kid doesn't know who his dad is.
Michael PenaMy first ten years in Hollywood were really tough. I'd be coaching friends who came to me for acting advice, and then they'd make it before I did. I'd still be helping them while they were on movie sets and I had four lines on a TV show.
Michael PenaYou can have a kid and just be off at work all the time, and it's all mom. But, I spent a lot of time with him, so now, every time I see him, he's like, "Dada!"
Michael PenaI think that when youโre doing a comedy and it makes you laugh, thereโs a certainโฆ like you can reject it, and itโs okay. Itโs not promoting it or making it seem cool. I think thatโs when you get into hot water.
Michael PenaIn the beginning, I was always playing some kind of gangbanger and the token Mexican dude who didn't have a lot of lines but was in the entire movie. At the same time, everyone gets typecast, and I decided that if I was going to play a stereotypical role, I was going to play it like a three-dimensional character.
Michael Pena