A proud and prolific Latino character actor who honed his craft on stage before embarking on a film and TV career, the Cuba-born, U.S.-raised Plana trained at London's prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Unfortunately, due to stereotyping, this versatile performer often found himself relegated to playing thugs and military types. In the '90s, Plana took control of his career trajectory by cofounding the East L.A. Classic Theatre and coproducing the Paul Rodriguez movie A Million to Juan. Effortlessly alternating between the big and small screens, indies and blockbusters, comedies and dramas, Plana broke through as the widowed, Mexican-American patriarch Roberto Santiago in Showtime's acclaimed multigenerational series Resurrection Blvd., also helming a number of episodes, and by cowriting and directing the 2000 TV-movie The Princess and the Barrio Boy. In 2006, Plana signed on to the campy dramedy Ugly Betty as the title character's loving but stubborn illegal immigrant father. It was a touching role that endeared him to a whole new set of prime-time viewers.