Education
University at Albany.
University at Albany.
In 1993, John made his film debut as First Rate (at Lloyd's) Pacino"s young cousin Guajiro in Carlito"s Way. He went on to appear in over 30 films including El Cantante, Take the Lead, Before Night Falls, Amistad, Ransom, and Narc. Among Ortiz"s television roles, he has most recently played the lead in Josip Juraj Abrams’ Hope Against Hope for Home Box Office, a series regular on Denis Leary"s The Job and Columbia Broadcasting System’ Clubhouse as well as the National Broadcasting Company cop drama Blue Blood, directed by Brett Ratner.
In 1992, Ortiz formed Latino Actors Base with 13 other Latino actors to provide themselves with a place to work and an opportunity to become a tightly knit ensemble.
Today, that ensemble is known as LAByrinth Theater Company: an award winning troupe of over 100 artists from a wide range of cultural backgrounds and creative disciplines. With LAByrinth, he most recently played the role of Clyde in the world premiere of Jack Goes Boating by Bob Glaudini (Drama Desk nomination).
In 2006, he appeared as Che Guevara in the world premiere of School of the Americas by Jose Rivera, a co-production between LAByrinth Theater Company and The Public Theater. Other co-productions between LAByrinth and the Public include the role of Jesus in the world premiere of The Last Days of Judas Iscariot by Stephen Adly Guirgis, and José Solo in Guinea Pig Solo by Brett C. Leonard. written and directed by John Patrick Shanley.
In 2003, Ortiz made his Broadway debut in Nilo Cruz’ Pulitzer Prize winning play Anna in the Tropics.
He appeared in three world premiere plays by José Rivera: The Adoration of the Old Woman at Louisiana Jolla Playhouse, Sueño at Master Control Console Theater and The Street of the Sun at Mark Taper Forum. Ortiz also appeared in The Skin of Our Teeth and De Donde at the Public Theater. The world tours of The Merchant of Venice and The Persians directed by Peter Sellars.
House Arrest at Arena Stage.
And the national tour of A Few Good Men. Pentecost at Yale Repertory Theatre.
Recent projects
He appeared in the feature films Aliens versus Predator: Requiem, Pride and Glory, Public Enemies and Fast & Furious, and Jack Goes Boating, directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman, in January 2009.
In Summer 2009, he will star on stage in Othello at the Vienna Festival.
Beginning in December 2012, he appeared as Jackie in the Stephen Adly Guirgis play The Motherfucker with the Hat at Chicago"s Steppenwolf Theatre Company. He also co-starred in Silver Linings Playbook.