Arnaldo Santana

Luis Arnaldo Santana was born on September 1, 1950, in El Paso, Texas, to Mariano Santana and Lilia Zuniga. He completed his secondary education at Burges High School before enrolling at the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied drama. His early stage work took place at the Upstairs Downtown Theater and at Festival Theater in Montana.

Santana launched his screen career in 1977 with an appearance in the film The Boys from Riverside Drive, followed in 1978 by roles in A Night at Aldonis and Dune Buddies. His Broadway career included an appearance in 1980 in Goodbye Fidel. He continued building his stage résumé through numerous productions before his final stage appearance in the play Short Eyes in 1984.

Among his film credits, Santana is perhaps best remembered for portraying Ernie, Tony Montana's henchman, in the 1983 film Scarface. He also appeared in the films Cruising and Rage of Angels, and guest-starred in the television programs The Doctors and Nurse. In 1984, he took on the recurring television role of Hector Del Gato, brother-in-law to Pablo Rivera, in the ABC sitcom a.k.a. Pablo, a series starring Paul Rodriguez, Héctor Elizondo, Joe Santos, Alma Cuervo, Martha Veléz, Maria Richwine, Bert Rosario, and Katy Jurado. That same year marked his retirement from acting.

Santana died in New York on October 8, 1987, at the age of 37.