I sat down and pulled out Mr. Méndez' body of work and bio. I was quick to realize this man has been extremely busy through out his career. You really have to have a passion for your craft and Chiko Méndez is tops in what the love for the arts is really about. Actor, writer,, musician, producer, stunt man, even a “behind the scenes” as a production driver. He has played so many diverse roles as an actor I wouldnt be able to fill this page if I tried. He has played from a mental patient in The Sopranos to a salsa band performer in El Cantante. Many may remember him for playing the trumpet as part of the band in the Mariachi skits on SNL with Horatio Sanz. Having several appearances on The Junkyard Wars as a contestant solidified Chiko Mendez as a jack of all trades.
Tell us about the beginning
Chiko Méndez
“Well I was born in D.R.(Dominican Republic) and my parents came to the states when I was about 8 months old. I lived here till I was 10 and returned to D.R., finished my education only to return back to the United States to further my studies and pursue my dream in the arts.
”Where did your parents settle?”
129th Richmond Hills, Queens in N.Y., it was a quiet neighborhood,
pretty typical New York with a grocery store on the corner, a
community church (Saint Theresa), and the public school which I
went to P.S.121. There were your traditional bullies and I was
targeted often, but I always made the best of city life.
Do you have any siblings?
Yes, my sister but I also have two brothers from a second marriage. Looking back now, we all had an artistic upbringing as my sister studied ballet, I studied trumpet and we both studied tap dancing. My brothers today are also professionals in the arts.
Give me your fondest childhood memory?
I recall one time (@ 5-6 yo.) pushing a chair up against an old "VITROLA" (RCA Victor record player) and crawled in with my milk bottle. My mom followed the trail of milk and found me locked in listening to a Tom Jones 45” and swaying to the song “swallowed a fly”(laughs).
How do you feel about seeing yourself on screen?
I am my worst critic. I always feel I could have done better. I believe that everything that glitters isn’t always gold. I’m really hard on myself because I strive for perfection.
You played a band member on SNL, El Cantante and Capicu, do you feel right at home playing certain roles?
Absolutely, but it’s all about connecting the dots, pretend is only up to the point of truth only then do you become the role. The level of perfection you strive for is the caliber of artist you’ll be, bring out your inner thoughts pertaining to that role and you'll actually enjoy being that character.
What about your music?
I’m self taught all across the board period; but have been blessed to have worked with great people as well as legends in music.
Are you still a student?
Yes! I’m still learning. Let’s put it this way, I will learn from a 3 y.o. that I would not have learned from a 100 years old
Let’s run through a series of quick questions.
Favorite color? Maroon / Favorite food dish? Lasagna
Dream vacation? A hikee to Peru's Machu Picchu, Egypt's Pyramids, Brazil & Italy / Favorite book? Arabian Knights-Ali Baba And The Forty Thieves / Favorite Television Program? The Honeymooners / Favorite movie? Hurlyburly with Sean Penn / If you were in a foxhole (at war), who would you want watching your back? I believe alone with my thoughts would be a great challenge just to see what strategies I come up with. I prefer to do my own homework and not pass my responsibility of survival on to someone ele. / Who would you like to work with in the future? Actor? Gary Oldman / Actress? Gwyneth Paltrow / Director? Robert Rodriguez / Quentin Tarantino
You’ve Produced before(The Day They Came Back,The Prey, etc…), do you plan to produce in the near future?
I'm still doing it. Some projects are in development as we speak and as far as music, my next project is a blend of pop/ rock and folk but more on the acoustic end; as I continue to evolve with the times.
What would be your dream role?
An “Oscar” worthy Lawyer with a great cast would be great. Latinos are often seen as under-rated actors to be kept in a box. We should be offered more opportunities to showcase our true grit.
What do you think of the industry as a whole?
Well monitoring the industry over time, it's really had no choice but to open the doors and let us in slowly. The undiscovered potential in non-trendy "minorities" (and I use the term lightly) can definitely prove to have a voice as strong as needed to do the job and in a satisfactory manner; very much in the likes of Raul Julia, Andy Garcia, Eva Mendez, John Leguizamo, Antonio Banderas, Eva Longoria, Selma Hayek, Jennifer Lopez, etc.....and have them tell the industry otherwise. You will hear from Chiko Méndez again. Take care and be blessed.
Chiko Mendez - H2 Valvoline Commercial (Spanish)
BACHATA being so main stream now, Chiko Méndez showcases a song with something a little different.
Here he pushes the artistic envelope a bit leading him to record this original song, all part of thinking outside the box...
the title is COME? in italian which means HOW?
the spanish version's title is COMO?
the english redition is titled TELL ME...
