Michael Anthony Peña also known as Michael Peña is a prominent American actor known for his versatile and grounded performances in comedy, drama, and action films.
He gained widespread recognition for roles in Crash, World Trade Center, Ant-Man as Luis, and series like Narcos: Mexico and The Lincoln Lawyer, often bringing humor, heart, and authenticity to ensemble casts and supporting parts.
Quick Facts
- Full Name: Michael Anthony Peña
- Stage Name: Michael Peña
- Born: January 13, 1976
- Age: 50 years old
- Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Nationality: American
- Ethnicity: Mexican-American
- Occupation: Actor
- Height: 170 cm
- Religion: Christianity
- Parents: Mr. Peña and Nicolasa Peña
- Siblings: Unknown
- Spouse: Bree Galloway
- Children: One
- Relationship: Married
- Net Worth: $12 million USD
Early Life and Education
Michael Peña was born on January 13, 1976, in Chicago, Illinois, United States. He was brought up by his parents, Mr. Peña and Nicolasa Peña, Mexican immigrants who worked various jobs including factory work and housekeeping. He grew up in a working-class, Spanish-speaking household on the South Side of Chicago. Details about siblings are not publicly available.
He attended high school in Chicago and developed an early interest in acting through local theater and improvisation. He trained at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company and later studied acting in Los Angeles after moving to pursue his career. His ethnicity is Mexican-American, and his religion is Christianity.
Career
Michael Peña began his career in the late 1990s with small roles in films like End of Days (1999) and Gone in 60 Seconds (2000). He gained notice in Buffalo Soldiers (2001) and Crash (2004), earning praise for his role as Daniel in the Oscar-winning ensemble drama.
He portrayed Navy Officer Will Jimeno in World Trade Center (2006) and appeared in Shooter (2007), Observe and Report (2009), and End of Watch (2012). He achieved major mainstream success as Luis in Ant-Man (2015), Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018), and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023), becoming a fan favorite for his comedic timing and energy.
He starred as DEA agent Kiki Camarena in Narcos: Mexico (2018–2021) and as Mickey Haller’s investigator in The Lincoln Lawyer (2022–present). Other notable works include Cesar Chavez (2014) as the title role, CHIPS (2017), and Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019). His career blends indie dramas, blockbusters, and television with consistent critical praise for authenticity.
Social Media
- Instagram Handle: @michaelpena
Personal Life
Michael Peña, 50 years old and 170 cm tall, is married to Bree Galloway since 2006. They have one child. No past relationships are publicly known. He maintains a private family life, often crediting his wife and children for grounding him amid his busy career, and he enjoys family time, fitness, and community involvement.
Net Worth
Michael Peña‘s net worth is estimated at $12 million USD. His income primarily comes from acting roles in major franchise films such as the Ant-Man series; television series including Narcos: Mexico and The Lincoln Lawyer; independent and studio films like Crash, World Trade Center, and End of Watch; residuals and royalties from streaming platforms, syndication, and long-running projects; voice acting; and occasional producing credits across his career.