In SherryBaby, a film by Laurie Collyer, Maggie Gyllenhaal plays Sherry Swanson, a trashy parolee who returns home after serving three years in prison. Sherry tries to stay clean, find love, get a job, and win back the trust and love of her daughter. After watching Gyllenhaal completely become this character, I was left wondering why she didn't get every award or nomination out there. Other actors in this film are just as captivating. The highly prolific Danny Trejo plays Dean Walker, a fellow former addict and Sherry's love interest. Chances are you've seen this man on screen before. He frequently plays Himself. But check out Trejo's bio from IMDB. A Cali OG indeed. No wonder he is always so convincing. Trejo is from Echo Park:
A child drug addict and criminal, Danny Trejo was in and out of jail for 11 years. While serving time in San Quentin, he won the lightweight and welterweight boxing titles. Imprisoned for armed robbery and drug offenses, he successfully completed a 12-step rehabilitation program that changed his life. While speaking at a Cocaine Anonymous meeting in 1985, Trejo met a young man who later called him for support. Trejo went to meet him at what turned out to be the set of Runaway Train (1985). Trejo was immediately offered a role as a convict extra, probably because of his tough tattooed appearance. Also on the set was a screenwriter who did time with Trejo in San Quentin. Remembering Trejo's boxing skills, the screenwriter offered him $350 per day to train the actors for a boxing match.