Cast & creator
Emilio Rivera
Best known for Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The Mentalist, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Emilio Rivera (born February 24, 1961) is a distinguished Native-Latino American businessman, entrepreneur, film and television actor, and producer, best known for his powerful portrayal of Marcus Álvarez, the president of the Mayans Motorcycle Club, in the acclaimed FX series Sons of Anarchy (2008–2014) and its spin-off Mayans M.C. (2018–2023). With a career spanning over three decades, the San Antonio-born actor has become one of Hollywood's most recognizable "tough guys," often cast in high-stakes crime dramas and action films such as Con Air (1997), Traffic (2000), and Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017). Beyond his signature biker roles, Rivera has displayed significant range in series like Z Nation, where he played Hector "Escorpion" Alvarez, and the Netflix coming-of-age dramedy On My Block.
Also known as: امیلیو ریورا
75
film credits
38
television credits
113
1977–2026 · acting roles
6.3
average across scored titles
Signature credits
Known for
Across film & television
Filmography (113)
Showing 113 of 113 credits
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Benito Escobar
1999
The Mentalist
Martin
2008
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Bank Robber #1
2000
Bones
Ramon Ortez
2005
JAG
Drug Runner
1995
The X-Files
Brigham
1993
Beverly Hills, 90210
Felipe
1990
Sons of Anarchy
Marcus Alvarez
2008
CSI: NY
Little Stevie
2004
ER
Emilio Cardazco
1994
Weeds
El Coyote
2005
The Shield
Navaro Quintero
2002
Law & Order: Organized Crime
Miguel 'El Diablo' Olivas
2021
My Name Is Earl
Victor
2005
Brothers and Sisters
The Sponsor
2006
Lie to Me
Tony Calvo
2009
Landman
Luis Medina
2024
Renegade
Rafe
1992
Girlfriends
Nick
2000
Walker, Texas Ranger
Juan 'Loco' Morales
1993
Z Nation
Hector Alvarez/Escorpion
2014Z Nation
Escorpion
2014Z Nation
Hector Alvarez
2014Z Nation
Hector
2014
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
Mexican Police Chief
2008
Mayans M.C.
Marcus Álvarez
2018Mayans M.C.
Marcus Alvarez
2018
Spider-Man 3
Policeman at Sand Truck
2007
Shark
Detective #1
2006
The Upshaws
Barkavious
2021
Hot Ones Versus
Self
2024
Venom
Lobby Guard Richard
2018
Carl Weber's The Family Business
Alejandro Zuniga
2018
Son of the Beach
2000
Bruce Almighty
Hood
2003
Titus
Castro
2000
Moonlight
Chemma Tejada
2007
Con Air
Carlos
1997
Collateral
Paco
2004
The Cable Guy
Jail Inmate
1996
Traffic
Salazar Soldier #2
2000
L.A. Heat
1999
Flamin' Hot
Vacho Montañez
2023
High Crimes
Salvadoran Man
2002
Hitman: Agent 47
Fabian
2015
Street Kings
OG Vato
2008
Act of Valor
Sanchez
2012
Fun with Dick and Jane
Day Laborer
2005
Raines
2007
A Man Apart
Garza
2003
Kojak
2005
Gang Related
Tio Gordo
2014
Harsh Times
Eddy
2005
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
Benitez
2002
Ali G Indahouse
Rico
2002
3 from Hell
Aquarius
2019
Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot
Jesus Alvarado
2018
Doing Hard Time
Officer David Teal
2004
Delta Farce
Jorge
2007
Tomcats
Sampson (uncredited)
2001
El padrino: The Latin Godfather
Rudy
2004
The Movie Teller
Trabajador 3 / José
2023
El Chicano
Shadow
2019
Under Fire
Valentino
2025
Splinter
Jesse
2006
El Camino Christmas
Vicente Cruz
2017
The Devil's in the Details
Bill Duffy
2013
American Lowrider
Paisa
2013
Next Day Air
Bodega
2009
Bodyman
Javier Ortega
2026
Smartass
Poco Efe
2017
10 Cent Pistol
Melville
2014
Holy Cash
Actor
2024
Badsville
Lucky Lou
2017
Avenge the Crows
Carlos Santiago
2017
Chuck Zito: An American Story
Self
2024
Cinema Verite
Nightwatchman
2011
The Base 2: Guilty as Charged
Pvt. Alberto Ramirerz
2000
To Hell and Back: The Making of 3 From Hell
Self
2019
Beneath the Cinder Block
Hugo
48 Hours to Live
Gunner
2016
Murder Was the Case
Reporter #2
1995
Rage
Javier
1995
Bullet
Speedy
2014
Sucker Free City
Detective Zepada
2004
Ride Hard: Live Free
Gauge
2020
Water & Power
Norte
2014The Gunfighter
Sanchez
North by El Norte
Big boss
2016Purgatory
How To Date Again
Rancher
Street Level
Pete
2016
Cuisine de la 'Pocalypse
Murray
2025House of Guerrero
Tio Turi
Thunder and Lightning
Honeydew Driver
1977
Dante's Hotel
Captain Pasado
2023
Filly Brown
Mani
2013
Love and Betrayal on the Force
George (voice)
2020
C'mon Man
Steven
2012
Budz House
Big Happy
2011
Road Dogz
Big Joe
2002Grit
Self
Cake
Fidel
2004
The Obama Effect
Hector Santiago
2012
RZR Cyber Protocol
Felix
American Flyer
Big Boss
2010
Pros & Cons
Con 1
1999
Purple Heart
Deputy
2005
Platinum Illusions
Boss Hogg
2011
Cholo Comedy Slam: Stand Up and Lean Back
2010
Mercy for Angels
Machetto
2015
Short Fuse
Camacho
2005
Narcocorrido
Ramon
2011