David Zayas

HOLLYWOOD – JULY 19: Zayas at the season two premiere of “Weeds” at Egyptian Theatre on July 19, 2006 in Hollywood, CA. s_bukley/Bigstock.com

Place of Birth: The Bronx, New York City, New York, U.S.

Date of Birth: Aug 15, 1962

Ethnicity: Puerto Rican

David Zayas is an American actor and former police officer. He starred as Angel Batista on the series Dexter and Dexter: New Blood, and has also appeared on the series Oz, Gotham, and Blue Bloods, and in the film The Expendables.

David is the son of Puerto Rican parents, Blanca and Hugo Zayas. All of David’s recent ancestors are listed as “White” on U.S. Censuses. David joined the U.S. Air Force at nineteen, and was later a police officer for almost fifteen years. He is married to actress Liza Colón-Zayas.

David’s paternal grandfather was Tomas Aquino Zayas Ramos (the son of Luis Zayas y Olivera and Maria Tomasa Ramos Ortiz). Tomas was born in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico. Luis was the son of Manuel Encarnacion Zayas y Irizarry and Juana Evangelista Olivera y Rivera. Maria was the daughter of Jose Ramon Ramos Morales and Maria Ramona Ortiz Soto.

David’s paternal grandmother was Jacinta Maldonado Velez (the daughter of Esequiel Maldonado Y Maldonado and Juana Maria Velez Y Vega). Jacinta was born in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico. Esequiel was the son of Pedro Maldonado Torres and Idelfonsa Maldonado Torres. Juana was the daughter of Vicente Velez y Serrano and Maria Inez Vega y Mendez.

David’s maternal grandfather was named Juan Rivera.

David’s maternal grandmother was Emelia Cintron Camacho (the daughter of Elías Cintrón Cortés and Salvadora/Dolores Camacho Rivera). Elías was the son of Juan José Cintrón Vélez and Lorenza Cortés Rivera. Salvadora was the daughter of Gregorio Camacho Gonzalez and Rufina Rivera y Mendoza.

Sources: Birth record of David Zayas – https://www.ancestry.com

Obituary of David’s mother – https://www.brewerfuneral.com