Oscar Isaac

Poe Dameron

Oscar Isaac is a Guatemalan-American actor known for his work in both independent and blockbuster films. He gained widespread recognition for his role as Poe Dameron in the Star Wars sequel trilogy.

Early Life and Career

Oscar Isaac Hernandez Estrada was born on March 9, 1979, in Guatemala. His family moved to the United States when he was a child, settling in Miami, Florida. Isaac began acting in high school and continued his studies at the Juilliard School in New York City.

Isaac made his feature film debut in the 2006 crime drama “Illtown” and went on to appear in several independent films, including “Balibo” and “Agora.” He received critical acclaim for his performance in the 2013 Coen Brothers film “Inside Llewyn Davis,” in which he played the titular character.

Star Wars and Beyond

Isaac’s breakthrough role came in 2015 when he was cast as Poe Dameron in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. He reprised the role in The Last Jedi (2017) and The Rise of Skywalker (2019).

In addition to his work in the Star Wars franchise, Isaac has appeared in a wide range of films, including “Ex Machina,” “A Most Violent Year,” and “Annihilation.” He has also lent his voice to animated films such as “The Addams Family” and “Star Wars Resistance.”

Personal Life

Oscar Isaac is known for his privacy when it comes to his personal life. He married filmmaker Elvira Lind in 2017, and the couple has two children together.

Philanthropy

Isaac is an active philanthropist and supports several charitable causes. He has worked with the charitable organization “826LA,” which helps young people develop writing skills, and has supported organizations such as “Stand Up to Cancer” and “The Enough Project.”

Awards and Honors

Isaac has been nominated for and won several awards throughout his career. In 2013, he won the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actor for his role in “Inside Llewyn Davis.” He was also nominated for a Golden Globe for his role in “A Most Violent Year” and received an Emmy nomination for his performance in the HBO miniseries “Show Me a Hero.”

Oscar Isaac Fact File

Full Name	Oscar Isaac Hernandez Estrada
Date of Birth	March 9, 1979
Place of Birth	Guatemala City, Guatemala
Height	5′ 8″ (173 cm)
Nationality	Guatemalan-American
Education	The Juilliard School
Occupation	Actor, Musician
Years Active	1996 – present

Filmography

Year	Title	Role
2002	All About the Benjamins	Francesco
2006	The Nativity Story	Joseph
2006	Pu-239	Shiv
2008	Body of Lies	Bassam
2008	Che	Interpreter
2009	Agora	Orestes
2010	Robin Hood	Prince John
2011	Drive	Standard
2011	W.E.	Evgeni
2012	For Greater Glory	Victoriano Ramirez
2012	The Bourne Legacy	Outcome #3
2013	Inside Llewyn Davis	Llewyn Davis
2014	A Most Violent Year	Abel Morales
2014	Ex Machina	Nathan Bateman
2015	Star Wars: The Force Awakens	Poe Dameron
2016	X-Men: Apocalypse	En Sabah Nur / Apocalypse
2017	Star Wars: The Last Jedi	Poe Dameron
2018	Annihilation	Kane
2018	Operation Finale	Peter Malkin
2018	At Eternity’s Gate	Paul Gauguin
2019	Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker	Poe Dameron
2020	The Addams Family	Gomez Addams (voice)
2021	Dune	Duke Leto Atreides
2021	The Card Counter	William Tell

Oscar Isaac FAQs

Q: How did Oscar Isaac prepare for his role in “Inside Llewyn Davis”?

A: For his role in “Inside Llewyn Davis,” Oscar Isaac spent several months learning to play the guitar and sing folk songs in the style of Dave Van Ronk, the musician on whom his character was based. He also immersed himself in the Greenwich Village folk scene of the early 1960s to gain a deeper understanding of the music and culture of the time.

Q: What was Oscar Isaac’s experience like working on the Star Wars franchise?

A: Oscar Isaac has spoken about how excited he was to be a part of the Star Wars franchise, which he has described as a cultural phenomenon. He has also praised his co-stars and the filmmakers for creating a collaborative and supportive environment on set. However, he has also talked about the challenges of working on a big-budget film, including the physical demands and the pressure to live up to fan expectations.

Q: What inspired Oscar Isaac to pursue a career in acting?

A: Oscar Isaac has said that he was drawn to acting as a way to explore different aspects of himself and connect with others. He has described acting as a form of therapy, allowing him to delve into the emotions and experiences of different characters and learn more about himself in the process.

Q: What other talents does Oscar Isaac have besides acting and music?

A: In addition to his work as an actor and musician, Oscar Isaac is also a skilled dancer. He has trained in ballet and jazz dance and has incorporated dance into some of his film performances. He has also shown a talent for languages, speaking fluent Spanish and some French, Portuguese, and Italian.

Q: What are some of Oscar Isaac’s favorite films and influences?

A: Oscar Isaac has cited a wide range of films and filmmakers as influences on his work, including Martin Scorsese, the Coen Brothers, Francis Ford Coppola, and Akira Kurosawa. Some of his favorite films include “Raging Bull,” “The Godfather,” and “Yojimbo.” He has also talked about the importance of storytelling and how it can bring people together and create empathy and understanding.