Vincent Laresca

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Vincent Laresca
Born (1974-01-21) January 21, 1974
New York City, New York, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actor
  • restaurant owner
Years active1992–present

Vincent Laresca (born January 21, 1974) is an American actor and restaurant owner.

Early life

Laresca is from Queens, New York. He is of Panamanian and Italian descent. At eight years old, he was spotted on the street by an acting coach after doing an impression of a gangster. The coach subsequently offered him free acting lessons for four years. He studied at Purchase College for two years before dropping out and moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting.[1]

Career

Acting

Laresca made his film debut at seventeen years old in the 1992 film Juice as Radames.[1][2]

In 1996, he appeared in Baz Luhrmann's film William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet.[3] In 1997, he had a supporting role in the short-lived Fox ensemble drama 413 Hope St.[4] In 2004, he appeared in the epic biographical film The Aviator.[1] He has also had major supporting roles on 24, CSI: Miami and Weeds.[5]

From 2016 to 2018, Laresca had a main role in the Jennifer Lopez-led NBC series Shades of Blue as NYPD Detective Carlos Espada.[6] Following the show's conclusion, Laresca was attached to the procedural crime drama Blood Ties,[7] although no updates have been made since 2018. In 2019, he appeared in the crime drama film Mob Town.[8] He starred in the independent crime thriller Inside Man in 2023.[9] The following year, he appeared as Dennis Hernandez, the father of Aaron Hernandez, in the series American Sports Story.[10]

Restaurants

Laresca has owned many bars and restaurants in the Los Angeles area.

In 2007, he opened the lounge bar Villa in West Hollywood,[11] which later became known as a hangout for Hollywood celebrities.[12] He opened the Spanish-inspired supper club Premiere in 2010.[13][14] In 2012, he opened the Western-themed Outpost Restaurant.[15] The following year, he opened the American bar and restaurant Rusty Mullet.[16] He founded the cocktail bar Blue Collar Pub on Fairfax Avenue in 2014.[17] In 2023, Laresca opened the speakeasy bar Cold Shoulder, a sister location to Blue Collar Pub,[18] as well as the Mexican restaurant Roadside Taco in Studio City.[19] In 2025, he opened Bar Jubilee, a carnivalesque neighborhood bar, on the Sunset Strip.[20]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1992 Juice Radames
1992 Bad Lieutenant J.C.
1994 I Like It Like That Angel
1995 Money Train Subway Robber #1
1996 The Substitute Rodriguez
Basquiat Vincent
Ripe Jimmy
Extreme Measures Patches
The Associate José, Plaza Waiter
William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet Abra
I'm Not Rappaport Renaldo
1997 Arresting Gena Bopo
Cop Land Medic #2
The Real Blonde Trey
The Devil's Advocate Big Guy #1
1998 Music from Another Room Jesus
1999 Forever Mine Javier Cesti
Just One Time Nick
Flawless Raymond Camacho
2000 Animal Factory Ernie
Before Night Falls Jose Abreu
2001 K-PAX Navarro
2002 Empire Jimmy
Hard Cash Nikita
2003 Hollywood Homicide Correction Officer Rodriguez
2004 The Aviator Jorge
2005 Coach Carter Renny
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Aurelio
Lords of Dogtown Chino
2006 The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift Case Worker
El Cantante Ralph
.45 Jose
National Lampoon's TV: The Movie Jose Carlos, Drug Lord
2007 Gardener of Eden Pavon
2008 Drillbit Taylor Fence
The Longshots Pop Warner Official #1
Lakeview Terrace Second Officer
2010 Unthinkable Agent Leandro
Devil Henry
2011 Gun Hill Road Hector
2012 The Amazing Spider-Man Construction Worker
2013 Runner Runner Sergeant Barrancas
Fairfield County Hector Short
2014 Asthma Painter
2015 Hot Pursuit Felipe Riva
2019 Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Land Pirate
Mob Town Benny the Meat Guy
2023 Inside Man James Curtis

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1992; 2004 Law & Order Danny / Feo Ruiz 2 episodes
1994 The Cosby Mysteries Fuenta Partage Episodes: "The Lottery Winner Murders"
1994–1996 New York Undercover Hector Belaflores 2 episodes
1997–1998 413 Hope St. Carlos Martinez Recurring role
1998 Touched by an Angel Pvt. Tomás Parades Episode: "God and Country"
2000 Chicago Hope Dr. Alverez Episode: "Letting Go"
2001 The District Reggie Garland Episode: "Foreign Affair"
2002 NYPD Blue Tito Perez Episode: "Humpty Dumped"
The Twilight Zone Buddy Episode: "The Lineman"
2003–2004 24 Hector Salazar 12 episodes
2003 Tru Calling Marco 2 episodes
2005 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Antonio Morales Episodes: "Saving Face"
Weeds Alejandro 4 episodes
2006 CSI: Miami Antonio Riaz 3 episodes
2007 Numbers Che Lobo Episode: "One Hour"
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Gino Aquino Episode: "Lying Down with Dogs"
2009 Dollhouse Mr. Sunshine Episode: "Ghost"
CSI: NY Al Santiago Episode: "Battle Scars"
2010 NCIS: Los Angeles Memo Torres Episode: "Borderline"
2011 The Good Wife Detective Navarro Episode: "Breaking Up"
Blue Bloods Salazar Episode: "To Tell the Truth"
Hawthorne 3 episodes
Suits Kenny Verdasco Episode: "Undefeated"
Person of Interest Detective Molina Episode: "Mission Creep"
2012 The Unknown C.O. Belial Episode: "Life Sentence"
2013 Graceland Jangles Cortes 5 episodes
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit State Senator Alejandro Muñoz Episode: "October Surprise"
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Tony Diaz Episode: "FZZT"
2015 Better Call Saul Detective #2 Episode: "Nacho"
2016 The Night Of Episode: "A Dark Crate"
2016–2018 Shades of Blue Carlos Espada Main role
2023 Bosch: Legacy Agent Lucas Jones Recurring role
2024 American Sports Story Dennis Hernandez

References

  1. Mongelli, Lorena (2004-12-08). "FLYING HIGH – TV'S '24' STAR HECTOR LARESCA LIFTS OFF AS LEONARDO'S SIDEKICK IN THE BIOPIC 'THE AVIATOR'". New York Post. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  2. Jones, Okla (2022-01-19). "'Juice' Turns 30: See The Film's Cast Then And Now". Essence. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  3. Gatta, Carla Della (2021-11-02). "Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet turns 25". Folger Shakespeare Library. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  4. "Wayans' World". New York Daily News. 1997-10-05. Archived from the original on Dec 7, 2025. Retrieved 2026-04-05.
  5. Bolonik, Kera (2007). In the Weeds. Simon and Schuster. p. 179. ISBN 9781416938781. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  6. Wagmeister, Elizabeth (2015-02-26). "Jennifer Lopez's 'Shades of Blue' Adds Ray Liotta & Drea de Matteo". Variety. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  7. Andreeva, Nellie (2018-10-16). "'Blood Ties' Cop Drama From Jennifer Lopez, Vincent Laresca, Tom Szentgyorgyi & Appian Way Set At NBC". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  8. Chandna, Gautam (2019-12-17). "MOB TOWN's Star-Studded LA Premiere - A Family Affair". Indie Entertainment Media. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  9. Grobar, Matt (2022-03-29). "'Gemini Lounge': Lucy Hale, Ashley Greene Among New Additions To Crime Thriller From 'Rush Hour' Producer Arthur Sarkissian". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  10. Kirshner, Alex (2024-10-01). "What American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez Gets Right". Slate. ISSN 1091-2339. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  11. Balla, Lesley (2007-11-30). "More Info About Villa". Eater LA. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  12. Amter, Charlie (2008-03-20). "This might be the only time you'll see inside Villa". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 12, 2026. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  13. Odell, Kat (2010-04-13). "Vinny Laresca Melds Theatre & Club at Premiere, Opening May". Eater LA. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  14. Odell, Kat (2010-09-14). "Travel to Spain via Premiere in Hollywood, Now Soft Opened". Eater LA. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  15. Odell, Kat (2012-04-06). "A Look Inside Outpost Restaurant, Soft Opening Tonight". Eater LA. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  16. Kang, Matthew (2013-09-03). "Enjoy Shots, Burgers, and TVs Galore at Rusty Mullet". Eater LA. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  17. Kang, Matthew (2014-10-24). "Blue Collar, A Relaxed New Drinking Den on Fairfax". Eater LA. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  18. Holmes, Mona (2023-10-05). "Fairfax's Blue Collar Crew Just Opened a New Speakeasy Bar With a Secret Bookcase Entry". Eater LA. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  19. "Roadside Taco Studio City Adds Ramen Menu and Winter Patio". Food & Beverage Magazine. 2023-12-28. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  20. Holmes, Mona (2025-10-16). "A New Carnivalesque Neighborhood Bar Hopes to Revive the Sunset Strip". Eater LA. Retrieved 2026-04-12.