Sonny Ayon
Encyclopedia
Sonny Valens is a Hispanic American actor/entertainer. He was featured as one of Hilary Swank
's main students in the 2007 Paramount Pictures film, Freedom Writers
.
Born in Upland CA and raised in Rialto, CA, he rose from the poverty-filled warzone into a young man imbued with hardened dreams and aspirations for the better.
By 2000, Valens felt like a change of place was in the works. Through a series of fortunate events, his trainers Bill Anderson & Jesse Hernandez helped get him cast in a direct-to-video flick called "Backyard Dogs". The CD chose Valens as one of the lead wrestlers, Psycho Dave, which led to solid screen time. Once the experience ended, he was inspired him to turn his pursuits towards the career path of acting.
In 2006, Valens auditioned for director Richard LaGravenese
(P.S. I Love You) for the film. He beat out thousands of Hispanic actors to score the coveted role as one of two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank
’s main Freedom Writers. Working alongside industry notables such as Grey’s Anatomy’s Patrick Dempsey
, recording artist Mario
, and Imelda Staunton
, Valens learned a great deal on set, reinforcing his desires to become a successful working actor. In the same year, he signed with the Momentum Talent Agency.
As 2008 rolled inwards, Valens scored the role of George in an episode of America's Most Wanted
. In the same year, he personally read for Kevin Bacon in his directorial effort for TNT’s The Closer
and was booked for the episode. Furthermore, numerous auditions for FX’s The Shield
throughout the course of the year for various roles, the casting director hired him for one of the last episode of the final season, in the role of Flaco, a hardened gangster who robs Walton Goggins, who plays Michael Chiklis’ partner in the series.
Valens moved on to complete a stint as the big bully in the band Red Jumpsuit Apparatus’ "Say Your Prayer" music video, which is a fun FX-filled extravaganza.
Furthering his career in 2009, he starred as the lead in a music video for a song called "A Soldier Never Dies", a track dedicated to fallen marine Anthony Hector Vargas. The track for rapper Invincible, featuring Grammy-nominated R&B artist Jon B.
(of Tupac Shakur
's "R U Still Down?" and "Babyface"'s "Someone to Love")
and producer Battlecat
(who produced songs for Xzibit
, Snoop Dogg
, The Game
). The video was directed by Paolo Ongkeko and produced by Don Le
.
Hilary Swank
Hilary Ann Swank is an American actress. Swank's film career began with a small part in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and then a major part in The Next Karate Kid , as Julie Pierce, the first female protégé of sensei Mr. Miyagi...
's main students in the 2007 Paramount Pictures film, Freedom Writers
Freedom Writers
Freedom Writers is a 2007 American drama film starring Academy Award winner Hilary Swank, Scott Glenn, Imelda Staunton and Patrick Dempsey. It is based on the book The Freedom Writers Diary by teacher Erin Gruwell who wrote the story based on Woodrow Wilson Classical High School in Long Beach,...
.
Born in Upland CA and raised in Rialto, CA, he rose from the poverty-filled warzone into a young man imbued with hardened dreams and aspirations for the better.
By 2000, Valens felt like a change of place was in the works. Through a series of fortunate events, his trainers Bill Anderson & Jesse Hernandez helped get him cast in a direct-to-video flick called "Backyard Dogs". The CD chose Valens as one of the lead wrestlers, Psycho Dave, which led to solid screen time. Once the experience ended, he was inspired him to turn his pursuits towards the career path of acting.
In 2006, Valens auditioned for director Richard LaGravenese
Richard LaGravenese
Richard LaGravenese is an American screenwriter and occasional film director. He is best known as the writer of The Fisher King.-Personal life:...
(P.S. I Love You) for the film. He beat out thousands of Hispanic actors to score the coveted role as one of two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank
Hilary Swank
Hilary Ann Swank is an American actress. Swank's film career began with a small part in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and then a major part in The Next Karate Kid , as Julie Pierce, the first female protégé of sensei Mr. Miyagi...
’s main Freedom Writers. Working alongside industry notables such as Grey’s Anatomy’s Patrick Dempsey
Patrick Dempsey
Patrick Galen Dempsey is an American actor, known for his role as neurosurgeon Dr. Derek Shepherd on the medical drama Grey's Anatomy. Prior to Grey's Anatomy he made several television appearances and was nominated for an Emmy Award...
, recording artist Mario
Mario
is a fictional character in his video game series, created by Japanese video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto. Serving as Nintendo's mascot and the main protagonist of the series, Mario has appeared in over 200 video games since his creation...
, and Imelda Staunton
Imelda Staunton
Imelda Mary Philomena Bernadette Staunton, OBE is an English actress. She is perhaps best known for her performances in the British comedy television series Up the Garden Path, the Harry Potter film series and Vera Drake...
, Valens learned a great deal on set, reinforcing his desires to become a successful working actor. In the same year, he signed with the Momentum Talent Agency.
As 2008 rolled inwards, Valens scored the role of George in an episode of America's Most Wanted
America's Most Wanted
America's Most Wanted is an American television program produced by 20th Television, and was the longest-running program of any kind in the history of the Fox Television Network until it was announced on May 16, 2011 that the series was canceled after twenty-three years, with the final episode...
. In the same year, he personally read for Kevin Bacon in his directorial effort for TNT’s The Closer
The Closer
The Closer is an American crime drama, starring Kyra Sedgwick as Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson, a Georgia police detective who often closes her cases using sometimes-questionable methods...
and was booked for the episode. Furthermore, numerous auditions for FX’s The Shield
The Shield
The Shield is an American television drama series starring Michael Chiklis which premiered on March 12, 2002 on FX in the United States and concluded on November 25, 2008 after seven seasons...
throughout the course of the year for various roles, the casting director hired him for one of the last episode of the final season, in the role of Flaco, a hardened gangster who robs Walton Goggins, who plays Michael Chiklis’ partner in the series.
Valens moved on to complete a stint as the big bully in the band Red Jumpsuit Apparatus’ "Say Your Prayer" music video, which is a fun FX-filled extravaganza.
Furthering his career in 2009, he starred as the lead in a music video for a song called "A Soldier Never Dies", a track dedicated to fallen marine Anthony Hector Vargas. The track for rapper Invincible, featuring Grammy-nominated R&B artist Jon B.
Jon B.
Jon B. is a Grammy nominated American R&B singer and songwriter.-Early life:...
(of Tupac Shakur
Tupac Shakur
Tupac Amaru Shakur , known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. Shakur has sold over 75 million albums worldwide as of 2007, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world...
's "R U Still Down?" and "Babyface"'s "Someone to Love")
Someone to Love (Jon B. song)
"Someone to Love" is the fifth track on Jon B.'s debut album, Bonafide. This song is a duet with Babyface that gained wide exposure on the Bad Boys soundtrack....
and producer Battlecat
Battlecat (producer)
Kevin Gilliam, better know by his stage name Battlecat, is an American hip hop producer from Long Beach, California.-Biography:He is well known for producing artists such as Snoop Dogg, The Game, Xzibit and Tha Eastsidaz along with a number of other West Coast rappers...
(who produced songs for Xzibit
Xzibit
Alvin Nathaniel Joiner , better known by his stage name Xzibit , is an American rapper, actor, and television host. He is known as the host of the MTV show Pimp My Ride, which brought him mainstream success...
, Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
, The Game
The Game (rapper)
Jayceon Terrell Taylor , better known by his stage name Game, formerly The Game, is an American rapper and actor. As a member of G-Unit, he rose to fame in 2005 with the success of his debut album, The Documentary, which earned him two Grammy Award nominations...
). The video was directed by Paolo Ongkeko and produced by Don Le
Don Le
Don Pham Le is an American filmmaker, who started out dabbling in acting. He was featured as one of Hilary Swank's main students in the 2007 Paramount Pictures film, Freedom Writers....
.