| Biography |
| Résumé |
Everyday more people are learning of the talented Leo Vargas and it
won't be long before he becomes a household name to remember!
Leo is a San Diego born multi-ethnic (Mexican, Polish, and Native
American) young man with talents as diverse as he is. More than
just a triple threat, this singer, actor, dancer, model, writer,
songwriter, producer, and director has many titles under his belt.
Leo attended Sweetwater Union High School (SuHI) in National City,
CA where he is the only of five children in his family to receive a
diploma.
won't be long before he becomes a household name to remember!
Leo is a San Diego born multi-ethnic (Mexican, Polish, and Native
American) young man with talents as diverse as he is. More than
just a triple threat, this singer, actor, dancer, model, writer,
songwriter, producer, and director has many titles under his belt.
Leo attended Sweetwater Union High School (SuHI) in National City,
CA where he is the only of five children in his family to receive a
diploma.
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This natural born leader made up his freshman and sophomore
high school years in ten months at Sweetwater's advancement
program since he was determined to become a high school
graduate by attending his Junior and Senior years in regular
session. He played Volleyball for three years taking his team to the
Championship playoffs in his Senior year while, at the same time,
running for Class President.
Leo is also the first and only child to receive a Bachelors degree. It
was the University of California, Santa Barbara that housed this
rising star for four and a half years.
high school years in ten months at Sweetwater's advancement
program since he was determined to become a high school
graduate by attending his Junior and Senior years in regular
session. He played Volleyball for three years taking his team to the
Championship playoffs in his Senior year while, at the same time,
running for Class President.
Leo is also the first and only child to receive a Bachelors degree. It
was the University of California, Santa Barbara that housed this
rising star for four and a half years.
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This is where Leo began his passion of entertainment as he was a
member and soloist of the UCSB Gospel Choir for the entire time he
attended. He recorded professionally on two gospel albums, 'It's
Time To Praise' and 'Good News', and was asked to join the UCSB
and Biola University Northern US Gospel Choir Tour. He was also
requested to sing at various events such as the University's
Chancellor’s Inauguration, National Championship Ceremonies,
Commencement Ceremonies, and other Santa Barbara local
productions.
In early 1995, Leo had his first Hollywood experience after he
auditioned for and was asked to be a part of the Latin R&B quartet
'Forte'. However, when he realized how important it was to him and
his family to carryout his education, he decided to return to UCSB to
finish his degree. While Leo majored in Law and Society, with an
emphasis in Entertainment Law, he quickly realized he would rather
be the entertainer.
Leo's acting career began as an extra in the MGM blockbuster film
‘Species’. When he realized he loved acting, he relied on his
singing ability to get him into musicals which required a singer,
actor, and dancer. In 1997, he played a lead role in the OBIE award
winning musical "Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope!" at the Los Angeles
Convention Center and at the International City Theatre (ICT) Long
Beach Performing Arts Center in 1998. Later that year, Leo became
a member of the multi-cultural theatre group, PeaceQuest Inc. For
the next two years, he toured with this acting troupe playing various
lead roles in almost every local Los Angeles theatre house, juvenile
hall, and community center. At the same time, Leo was teaching for
Tony Plana's East LA Classic Theatre (ECT) 'Beyond Borders'
literacy Program. He taught children of the Montebello and LA
Unified school district the art of acting, directing, and playwright.
In 2000, Leo was asked to be a part of the multi-cultural R&B group
'Unity'. As the Latin sensation of the bunch, he provided some sultry
vocals and haunting Spanish lyrics on Unity's song "Breakin' All The
Rules" for MTV's first ever made for television film '2gether'.
member and soloist of the UCSB Gospel Choir for the entire time he
attended. He recorded professionally on two gospel albums, 'It's
Time To Praise' and 'Good News', and was asked to join the UCSB
and Biola University Northern US Gospel Choir Tour. He was also
requested to sing at various events such as the University's
Chancellor’s Inauguration, National Championship Ceremonies,
Commencement Ceremonies, and other Santa Barbara local
productions.
In early 1995, Leo had his first Hollywood experience after he
auditioned for and was asked to be a part of the Latin R&B quartet
'Forte'. However, when he realized how important it was to him and
his family to carryout his education, he decided to return to UCSB to
finish his degree. While Leo majored in Law and Society, with an
emphasis in Entertainment Law, he quickly realized he would rather
be the entertainer.
Leo's acting career began as an extra in the MGM blockbuster film
‘Species’. When he realized he loved acting, he relied on his
singing ability to get him into musicals which required a singer,
actor, and dancer. In 1997, he played a lead role in the OBIE award
winning musical "Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope!" at the Los Angeles
Convention Center and at the International City Theatre (ICT) Long
Beach Performing Arts Center in 1998. Later that year, Leo became
a member of the multi-cultural theatre group, PeaceQuest Inc. For
the next two years, he toured with this acting troupe playing various
lead roles in almost every local Los Angeles theatre house, juvenile
hall, and community center. At the same time, Leo was teaching for
Tony Plana's East LA Classic Theatre (ECT) 'Beyond Borders'
literacy Program. He taught children of the Montebello and LA
Unified school district the art of acting, directing, and playwright.
In 2000, Leo was asked to be a part of the multi-cultural R&B group
'Unity'. As the Latin sensation of the bunch, he provided some sultry
vocals and haunting Spanish lyrics on Unity's song "Breakin' All The
Rules" for MTV's first ever made for television film '2gether'.
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In the middle of 2001, Leo was shipped
to Europe where he played “Kenickie” in
the European Tour of ‘Grease'.
Audiences all over Germany, Austria,
Paris, and Switzerland fell in love with
his high energy and impressive vocal
rendition of "Greased Lightning".
to Europe where he played “Kenickie” in
the European Tour of ‘Grease'.
Audiences all over Germany, Austria,
Paris, and Switzerland fell in love with
his high energy and impressive vocal
rendition of "Greased Lightning".
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As soon as he returned to the United
States, he booked the lead role of
“Police Officer” (2001 - Hollywood
Doolittle Theatre) to the starring role
of "Paco" (2002 - Pasadena Civic
Auditorium) in veteran actors, Luis
Avalos', original musical ‘Paquito’s
Christmas’.
States, he booked the lead role of
“Police Officer” (2001 - Hollywood
Doolittle Theatre) to the starring role
of "Paco" (2002 - Pasadena Civic
Auditorium) in veteran actors, Luis
Avalos', original musical ‘Paquito’s
Christmas’.
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2002 marked a very good year for Leo as he kicked off his television
career by guest starring as Carlos Salazar on HBO's 'Arli$$', playing
a South American Police Officer on two episodes of 'General
Hospital', and starring as Tom in Japan’s ‘Kid’s English’ video
series. Leo was also seen on billboards off of Interstate 10 wearing
Sugar Ray Leonard’s boxing gloves in a regional print ad and in
various national and international commercials. This was also the
first year he was asked to bring his acting troupe, PASHON Players,
to UCLA to perform his first original play "Walk with me" for new
incoming students of the UCLA Academic Advancement Program
(AAP). With the play being such a hit, it has since become an
annual event.
In 2003, Leo played a lead dancer next to Ricky Martin in his video
“Juramento”, guest starred as Frank, a juror stuck in the chambers
with Tracy Morgan, on NBC's 'The Tracy Morgan Show', played a TV
Engineer on Kelly Rowland’s and Duane Martin’s independent
feature film ‘The Seatfiller’, under the direction of Nick Castle, filmed
the opening sequence of Lifetime's reality show ‘Merge’ with Lisa
Rinna, filmed in K-marts “Right Here, Right Now!” national
commercial campaign, and played the lead role of Cuban
Lieutenant, Raul Cruz, for Claude Brickell’s independent digital
feature film ‘Havana Rush’.
Just last year, Leo played in various theatrical productions including
some of his original pieces such as 'He is Risen', a story about
resurrection in life. He later joined forces once again with Luis
Avalos playing Tupac Yupanqui Inca in the North American debut of
'Ollantay: Warrior of the Sun' at the El portal theatre. Many children,
and adults alike, also saw Leo singing his heart out in the Little
Debbie's snack cakes 'My Girl' national commercial campaign.
In 2005, Leo starred in three stage productions including his first
original musical 'Grace Avenue' in which he wrote all, but two,
original songs and book. He will also shoot for Maryum Ali's pilot
"Token City" in June.
This is all in addition to running his own non-profit organization,
PASHON (Performing Arts School Honoring One Nation), where he
is the Co-Founder and President. PASHON provides performing
and creative arts education and productions to Los Angeles urban
youth.
As such a gifted, positive and outstanding role model to many, you
can be sure Leo Vargas will be one of Hollywood's next sought after
leading men!
career by guest starring as Carlos Salazar on HBO's 'Arli$$', playing
a South American Police Officer on two episodes of 'General
Hospital', and starring as Tom in Japan’s ‘Kid’s English’ video
series. Leo was also seen on billboards off of Interstate 10 wearing
Sugar Ray Leonard’s boxing gloves in a regional print ad and in
various national and international commercials. This was also the
first year he was asked to bring his acting troupe, PASHON Players,
to UCLA to perform his first original play "Walk with me" for new
incoming students of the UCLA Academic Advancement Program
(AAP). With the play being such a hit, it has since become an
annual event.
In 2003, Leo played a lead dancer next to Ricky Martin in his video
“Juramento”, guest starred as Frank, a juror stuck in the chambers
with Tracy Morgan, on NBC's 'The Tracy Morgan Show', played a TV
Engineer on Kelly Rowland’s and Duane Martin’s independent
feature film ‘The Seatfiller’, under the direction of Nick Castle, filmed
the opening sequence of Lifetime's reality show ‘Merge’ with Lisa
Rinna, filmed in K-marts “Right Here, Right Now!” national
commercial campaign, and played the lead role of Cuban
Lieutenant, Raul Cruz, for Claude Brickell’s independent digital
feature film ‘Havana Rush’.
Just last year, Leo played in various theatrical productions including
some of his original pieces such as 'He is Risen', a story about
resurrection in life. He later joined forces once again with Luis
Avalos playing Tupac Yupanqui Inca in the North American debut of
'Ollantay: Warrior of the Sun' at the El portal theatre. Many children,
and adults alike, also saw Leo singing his heart out in the Little
Debbie's snack cakes 'My Girl' national commercial campaign.
In 2005, Leo starred in three stage productions including his first
original musical 'Grace Avenue' in which he wrote all, but two,
original songs and book. He will also shoot for Maryum Ali's pilot
"Token City" in June.
This is all in addition to running his own non-profit organization,
PASHON (Performing Arts School Honoring One Nation), where he
is the Co-Founder and President. PASHON provides performing
and creative arts education and productions to Los Angeles urban
youth.
As such a gifted, positive and outstanding role model to many, you
can be sure Leo Vargas will be one of Hollywood's next sought after
leading men!
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