Diego Luna
Born 1979 · Age 46
Mexican actor, director and producer known for Y tu mamá también, Rogue One (Cassian Andor) and the Disney+ series Andor; frequent collaborator with Gael García Bernal; co‑founder of production ventures and activist projects.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Toluca / Mexico City area
Diego Dionisio Luna Alexander born (Toluca; raised in Mexico City) to Alejandro Luna and Fiona Alexander.
Mother Fiona Alexander dies in car accident
Luna's mother, British costume designer Fiona Alexander, died when Diego was two; formative family loss.
First stage acting experience
Luna acted in his first play at age seven, beginning a lifelong connection to theater and performance.
Early screen appearance: The Last New Year (El último fin de año)
Early TV/short film appearance credited as one of his first screen roles (IMDb/Wikipedia references).
Telenovela arcs: El abuelo y yo and Ángeles sin paraíso
Appeared in Televisa productions (early TV arcs that raised his profile as a child actor).
Teen film roles: Un hilito de sangre & Un dulce olor a muerte
Appeared in multiple 1995 films that made him a teen star in Mexico.
Recurring TV role: El premio mayor (1995–1996)
Part of the main cast as a recurring character on the popular telenovela.
Film: El cometa (The Comet)
Featured film role (credited in filmography).
Telenovela: La vida en el espejo (1999–2000)
Part of the main cast playing the son of the main characters; continuing TV career.
Small roles in Todo el poder and Before Night Falls
Minor film appearances including the internationally noted Before Night Falls (2000).
Breakthrough role: Y tu mamá también (Tenoch Iturbide)
Starred alongside Gael García Bernal in Alfonso Cuarón's critically acclaimed road film; international breakthrough.
Major English‑language appearances: Frida; Vampires: Los Muertos
Appeared in Frida (2002) and genre title Vampires: Los Muertos, gaining Hollywood visibility.
Hosted MTV Video Music Awards Latinoamérica (2002)
Served as host for MTV VMAL in 2002 (also hosted again in later years).
Marcello Mastroianni Award (shared) at Venice Film Festival
Award for young actors (shared with Gael García Bernal) for Y tu mamá también.
Hosted MTV Video Music Awards Latinoamérica (2003)
Repeat host of the regional MTV awards; part of rising celebrity profile in Latin America.
Film: Nicotina (starred)
Starred in Nicotina, a critical and commercial success in Mexico.
Hollywood role: Open Range (supporting)
Appeared in Kevin Costner's western Open Range, furthering US exposure.
High‑profile 2004 roles: The Terminal, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, Criminal
Multiple English‑language films released in 2004 alongside major stars (Tom Hanks, etc.).
Co‑founded Canana Films
With Gael García Bernal and Pablo Cruz, created Canana Films to produce Mexican/Latin American cinema.
Co‑founded Ambulante Documentary Film Festival (Ambulante A.C.)
With Gael García Bernal and Elena Fortes, founded Ambulante to use documentary film as a tool for transformation.
Spanish‑language films: Sólo Dios sabe (Only God Knows)
Starred opposite Alice Braga in Sólo Dios sabe, continuing strong presence in Mexican cinema.
Hosted MTV Video Music Awards Latinoamérica (2007)
Returned as host for MTV VMAL in 2007.
Directed documentary J.C. Chávez
Directed documentary about Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez (his first directorial documentary).
Role in Milk; starred in Rudo y Cursi & Solo quiero caminar (Goya nomination)
Appeared in Gus Van Sant's Milk (ensemble) and starred in prominent Mexican films; received Goya nomination for Solo quiero caminar.
Jury member at Sundance Film Festival
Served on the jury at Sundance in 2008, reflecting growing stature in international film community.
Married Camila Sodi
Married Mexican actress Camila Sodi in February 2008.
Birth of son Jerónimo
His and Camila Sodi's first child, Jerónimo, born August 12, 2008.
Directorial feature debut: Abel premieres at Sundance
First feature film as director (Abel) premiered at 2010 Sundance Film Festival to positive reviews.
Birth of daughter Fiona (named for his mother)
Daughter Fiona born July 1, 2010; named after his late mother.
Appeared in Katy Perry music video 'The One That Got Away' (2011)
Featured opposite Katy Perry; music video went on to become a major online hit (1B+ views as of 2024).
Ambulante receives WOLA Human Rights Award
Washington Office on Latin America honored Ambulante with its Human Rights Award in 2011.
Directed Cesar Chávez (biopic) — Berlin premiere
Directed feature Cesar Chávez starring Michael Peña; premiered at 64th Berlin International Film Festival.
Produced Sin nombre (exec producer) & Miss Bala (exec producer)
Canana executive produced notable films Sin nombre (2009) and Miss Bala (2011); Miss Bala was Mexico's Oscar submission.
Created docu‑series Back Home for Fusion TV
Back Home followed celebrity guests returning to family homelands; Luna was creator/director/EP.
Created Fusion TV docu‑series Back Home (creator/director/EP)
Back Home followed celebrities returning to their roots; broadcast on Fusion TV.
Platino Honorary Award (2021 listing) — later recognition
Received the Platino Honorary Award in 2021 (recognition for contributions to Ibero‑American cinema).
Public activism: Zapatista youth‑led activism participation (1994 recall noted in bio)
While a teenager (1994), participated in youth activism supporting Indigenous rights during the Zapatista uprising.
Divorced Camila Sodi
Marriage to Camila Sodi ended in divorce (announced March 2013); they share two children.
Cesar Chávez wins SXSW Audience Award (Narrative Feature)
The film Cesar Chávez was awarded the Audience Award at SXSW 2014.
Starred in Amazon pilot 'Casanova' (pilot not picked up)
Starred as Giacomo Casanova in an Amazon pilot directed by Jean‑Pierre Jeunet; pilot was not picked up to series.
Launched branded studio Gloria for Latin American talent
With producer Pablo Cruz, launched Gloria, a branded entertainment studio (2015 announcement).
Cast announced in Star Wars: Rogue One
Announced as part of the cast of Rogue One (would play Cassian Andor).
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story released — Cassian Andor role
Portrayed Cassian Andor in the Star Wars standalone film; major global exposure and critical attention.
Un Certain Regard jury member — Cannes Film Festival
Member of the 2016 Un Certain Regard jury at Cannes.
Directed Mr. Pig (premiered at Sundance)
Directed feature Mr. Pig (Sr. Pig), starring Danny Glover and Maya Rudolph; premiered at Sundance 2016.
Attached to Scarface remake (announced)
Announced to star as Tony Montana in a planned Scarface remake; later exited after development changes.
Moved family residence from Los Angeles back to Mexico City
After years in Los Angeles, Luna and his family re‑located to Mexico City in 2017.
International Jury member — 67th Berlin International Film Festival
Served as part of the International Jury at the 2017 Berlinale.
Left Canana Films; co‑founded La Corriente del Golfo
Departed Canana (founded 2005) and launched new production company La Corriente del Golfo with Gael García Bernal.
Voice acting: 3Below lead role (Tales of Arcadia franchise)
Voiced lead character Krel Tarron in 3Below (2018) and participated in Guillermo del Toro's Tales of Arcadia franchise.
Narcos: Mexico premieres (stars as Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo)
Played the drug trafficker Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo in Netflix's Narcos: Mexico (series premiered Nov 2018).
Joined Creative Advisory Board of EXILE Content (Oct 2019)
Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal joined the Creative Advisory Board for EXILE Content in October 2019.
Created and hosted Pan y Circo for Amazon Prime Video
Talk show produced, directed, and hosted by Luna; premiered in 2020 and tackled sociopolitical topics.
Signed first‑look deal with Amazon Studios
Luna and Gael García Bernal signed a first‑look development deal with Amazon Studios (Jan 2020 announcement).
Voice role & film: Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans (2021)
Participated in the finale film of the Tales of Arcadia franchise as a voice actor.
Created Netflix series Everything Will Be Fine (scripted)
First scripted TV series created and directed by Luna, released on Netflix in 2021.
Won Daytime Emmy for Pan y Circo (Outstanding Daytime Talent in a Spanish Language Program)
Luna received a Daytime Emmy Award in 2021 for his work on Pan y Circo.
Voice role: DC League of Super‑Pets (2022)
Provided voice acting in the animated box office hit DC League of Super‑Pets.
Andor earns Peabody Award (Entertainment)
Andor won a Peabody Award (listed as winner for Entertainment category in 2022).
Andor (Disney+) premieres — reprises Cassian Andor; executive producer
Starred as Cassian Andor in the prequel series Andor; the series boosted global profile and critical acclaim.
Announced executive producer role & starring in The Boys: Mexico spinoff (with Gael García Bernal)
Amazon announced Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal would executive produce and Luna to star in The Boys: Mexico spinoff.
Golden Globe nomination for Andor (Best Actor — TV Drama)
Nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Television Series — Drama for his role in Andor.
Starred in Hulu miniseries La Máquina (released 2024) — Golden Globe nomination 2025
Starred opposite Gael García Bernal in La Máquina; earned Golden Globe nomination in 2025 for supporting role.
Andor Season 2 filming wrap (Feb 2024)
Second Andor season completed filming in February 2024 after earlier COVID and strike delays.
Named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People
Time magazine listed Diego Luna among the world's 100 most influential people in 2025.
Began shooting A Mouthful of Ash (director, co‑writer, producer)
Started production on A Mouthful of Ash (adaptation of Brenda Navarro's novel); Luna produced, directed and co‑wrote.
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