Trejo
My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood
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4.4 • 168 Ratings
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
“If you’re a fan like I am this is definitely the book for you.” —Pete Davidson, actor, producer, and cast member on Saturday Night Live
“Danny’s incredible life story shows that even though we may fall down at some point in our lives, it’s what we do when we stand back up that really counts.” —Robert Rodriguez, creator of Spy Kids, Desperado, and Machete
Discover the full, fascinating, and inspirational true story of Danny Trejo’s journey from crime, prison, addiction, and loss—it’s “enough to make you believe in the possibility of a Hollywood ending” (The New York Times Book Review).
On screen, Danny Trejo the actor is a baddie who has been killed at least a hundred times. He’s been shot, stabbed, hanged, chopped up, squished by an elevator, and once, was even melted into a bloody goo. Off screen, he’s a hero beloved by recovery communities and obsessed fans alike. But the real Danny Trejo is much more complicated than the legend.
Raised in an abusive home, Danny struggled with heroin addiction and stints in some of the country’s most notorious state prisons—including San Quentin and Folsom—from an early age, before starring in such modern classics as Heat, From Dusk till Dawn, and Machete. Now, in this funny, painful, and suspenseful memoir, Danny takes us through the incredible ups and downs of his life, including meeting one of the world’s most notorious serial killers in prison and working with legends like Charles Bronson and Robert De Niro.
An honest, unflinching, and “inspirational study in the definition of character” (Kevin Smith, director and actor), Trejo reveals how he managed the horrors of prison, rebuilt himself after finding sobriety and spirituality in solitary confinement, and draws inspiration from the adrenaline-fueled robbing heists of his past for the film roles that made him a household name. He also shares the painful contradictions in his personal life. Although he speaks everywhere from prison yards to NPR about his past to inspire countless others on their own road to recovery and redemption, he struggles to help his children with their personal battles with addiction, and to build relationships that last.
Redemptive and painful, poignant and real, Trejo is a portrait of a magnificent life and an unforgettable and exceptional journey.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Quintessential Hollywood bad guy Trejo delivers a powerful and expertly crafted memoir that is tougher, more frightening, and more memorable than any of his films. Born in Los Angeles in 1944, Trejo struggled with heroin addiction in his early 20s and was in and out of prison throughout the '60s. His account of life in San Quentin and Folsom prisons, where "hopelessness is carved in men's faces," is unsparing in its depiction of violence. Trejo avoided the pitfalls of inmate life by becoming an excellent boxer and finding AA, and he eventually found work in films thanks to his "hard-looking" style: "I was cast as a convict (surprise)." Tracing his success as an actor, he shares fascinating behind-the-scenes views of working with stars such as Robert DeNiro, whose mobster acting was unmatched but who was "so patient" on the set of Heat. Even in recounting his rise to fame with films such as Machete, Trejo never veers from the story of how his hard work paid off by allowing him to support his family, overcome the "environment of toxic masculinity that I was raised in," and "spread the message of recovery." This page-turner will thrill the legend's huge fan base. Agents: Gloria Hinojosa, Amsel, Eisenstadt, Frazier & Hinojosa; Albert Lee, United Talent Agency.
Customer Reviews
The road of a tough guy
The book is as entertaining as the man himself. His tough guy demeanor is something that can not be taught in any acting school. The tales of prison, crime, and drug use make up only a quarter of the book, but plenty sobriety antics endure. There’s a lot of name dropping,and the God stuff is a bit heavy handed (I know that’s a thing with recover). Besides those two things, it is an enjoyable read.
A Must Read!!
Excellent book with insight into addiction, redemption, failure, success, and payback from someone who lived it all. Thank you for sharing this riveting, honest, and heartfelt autobiography with the world! Good Bless!
Machete writes good
Wasn’t expecting this man’s life story to be of so much resilience and perseverance. Reading the book felt like I was cruising throughout LA with Danny Trejo.
His time in prison was pretty intense although I’m sure he left out a lot of other work he may have put in to have that much respect. I appreciate he does not glorify the prison gangs he mentions.
After reading his book, I started watching a lot of his movie trailers. I can’t believe he was making so many movies after 70 years of age! VIVA TREJO!!