Jesse Santoyo is a Mexican-American filmmaker, actor, screenwriter, and singer-songwriter, born and raised in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago, which is known for its rich Latino heritage. From an early age, Jesse developed a deep passion for film. He began his artistic journey by performing in local and school theater productions, while also working as an extra on various major film sets. Growing up in an environment with limited Latino representation in Hollywood, Jesse once believed that a career in film and TV was out of reach. However, determined to pursue his dream, he studied Communications and TV production at Columbia College Chicago and launched his career in news production.
Despite the initial success, Jesse soon realized that news wasn’t his true calling. In 2009, he made the bold decision to move his family to Nashville, Tennessee, hoping to break into the songwriting world. But soon after arriving, his savings dwindled, and he struggled to find work. At one of his lowest points, he called his father to explain that he couldn’t even afford milk or diapers for his children. His father’s reassuring words, “You are exactly where you need to be,” gave him the strength to keep going.
Things took a turn when Jesse heard that a local talent agency was looking for Latino actors. With little more than an old camera and a lot of determination, he snapped a photo of himself and submitted it to the agency. He was signed immediately, marking the beginning of his acting career. Since then, Jesse has appeared in a variety of commercials, feature films, and TV shows, including roles in Cobra Kai, Dynasty, A Nashville Country Christmas, where he starred alongside country music legend Tanya Tucker. And in 2025 we will see him in the Naked Gun Reboot starring Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson.
In 2016, Jesse expanded his creative horizons by founding Logan Beach Productions, his own independent production company. Through this venture, he has written, directed, and produced several films and projects, continuing to push boundaries and bring new stories to the screen.