Not to be confused with Vincent Ventresca.
Vincent Laresca
Birth dateJanuary 21, 1974 (age 52)
Birth placeNew York City, New York, U.S.
OccupationActor · restaurant owner
Yearsactive1992–present

Vincent Laresca (born January 21, 1974) is an American actor and restaurant owner.

Early life

Laresca is from Queens, New York. He is of Panamanian and Italian descent. At eight years old, he was spotted on the street by an acting coach after doing an impression of a gangster. The coach subsequently offered him free acting lessons for four years. He studied at Purchase College for two years before dropping out and moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting.[1]

Career

Acting

Laresca made his film debut at seventeen years old in the 1992 film Juice as Radames.[1][2]

In 1996, he appeared in Baz Luhrmann's film William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet.[3] In 1997, he had a supporting role in the short-lived Fox ensemble drama 413 Hope St.[4] In 2004, he appeared in the epic biographical film The Aviator.[1] He has also had major supporting roles on 24, ' and Weeds.[5]

From 2016 to 2018, Laresca had a main role in the Jennifer Lopez-led NBC series Shades of Blue as NYPD Detective Carlos Espada.[6] Following the show's conclusion, Laresca was attached to the procedural crime drama Blood Ties,[7] although no updates have been made since 2018. In 2019, he appeared in the crime drama film Mob Town.[8] He starred in the independent crime thriller Inside Man in 2023.[9] The following year, he appeared as Dennis Hernandez, the father of Aaron Hernandez, in the series American Sports Story.[10]

Restaurants

Laresca has owned many bars and restaurants in the Los Angeles area.

In 2007, he opened the lounge bar Villa in West Hollywood,[11] which later became known as a hangout for Hollywood celebrities.[12] He opened the Spanish-inspired supper club Premiere in 2010.[13][14] In 2012, he opened the Western-themed Outpost Restaurant.[15] The following year, he opened the American bar and restaurant Rusty Mullet.[16] He founded the cocktail bar Blue Collar Pub on Fairfax Avenue in 2014.[17] In 2023, Laresca opened the speakeasy bar Cold Shoulder, a sister location to Blue Collar Pub,[18] as well as the Mexican restaurant Roadside Taco in Studio City.[19] In 2025, he opened Bar Jubilee, a carnivalesque neighborhood bar, on the Sunset Strip.[20]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1992JuiceRadames
1992Bad LieutenantJ.C.
1994I Like It Like ThatAngel
1995Money TrainSubway Robber #1
1996The SubstituteRodriguez
BasquiatVincent
RipeJimmy
Extreme MeasuresPatches
The AssociateJosé, Plaza Waiter
William Shakespeare's Romeo + JulietAbra
I'm Not RappaportRenaldo
1997Arresting GenaBopo
Cop LandMedic #2
The Real BlondeTrey
The Devil's AdvocateBig Guy #1
1998Music from Another RoomJesus
1999Forever MineJavier Cesti
Just One TimeNick
FlawlessRaymond Camacho
2000Animal FactoryErnie
Before Night FallsJose Abreu
2001K-PAXNavarro
2002EmpireJimmy
Hard CashNikita
2003Hollywood HomicideCorrection Officer Rodriguez
2004The AviatorJorge
2005Coach CarterRenny
Kiss Kiss Bang BangAurelio
Lords of DogtownChino
2006The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo DriftCase Worker
El CantanteRalph
.45Jose
National Lampoon's TV: The MovieJose Carlos, Drug Lord
2007Gardener of EdenPavon
2008Drillbit TaylorFence
The LongshotsPop Warner Official #1
Lakeview TerraceSecond Officer
2010UnthinkableAgent Leandro
DevilHenry
2011Gun Hill RoadHector
2012The Amazing Spider-ManConstruction Worker
2013Runner RunnerSergeant Barrancas
Fairfield CountyHectorShort
2014AsthmaPainter
2015Hot PursuitFelipe Riva
2019Once Upon a Time in HollywoodLand Pirate
Mob TownBenny the Meat Guy
2023Inside ManJames Curtis

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1992; 2004Law & OrderDanny / Feo Ruiz2 episodes
1994The Cosby MysteriesFuenta PartageEpisodes: "The Lottery Winner Murders"
1994–1996New York UndercoverHector Belaflores2 episodes
1997–1998413 Hope St.Carlos MartinezRecurring role
1998Touched by an AngelPvt. Tomás ParadesEpisode: "God and Country"
2000Chicago HopeDr. AlverezEpisode: "Letting Go"
2001The DistrictReggie GarlandEpisode: "Foreign Affair"
2002NYPD BlueTito PerezEpisode: "Humpty Dumped"
The Twilight ZoneBuddyEpisode: "The Lineman"
2003–200424Hector Salazar12 episodes
2003Tru CallingMarco2 episodes
2005Law & Order: Criminal IntentAntonio MoralesEpisodes: "Saving Face"
WeedsAlejandro4 episodes
2006'Antonio Riaz3 episodes
2007NumbersChe LoboEpisode: "One Hour"
'Gino AquinoEpisode: "Lying Down with Dogs"
2009DollhouseMr. SunshineEpisode: "Ghost"
'Al SantiagoEpisode: "Battle Scars"
2010NCIS: Los AngelesMemo TorresEpisode: "Borderline"
2011The Good WifeDetective NavarroEpisode: "Breaking Up"
Blue BloodsSalazarEpisode: "To Tell the Truth"
Hawthorne3 episodes
SuitsKenny VerdascoEpisode: "Undefeated"
Person of InterestDetective MolinaEpisode: "Mission Creep"
2012The UnknownC.O. BelialEpisode: "Life Sentence"
2013GracelandJangles Cortes5 episodes
Law & Order: Special Victims UnitState Senator Alejandro MuñozEpisode: "October Surprise"
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.Tony DiazEpisode: "FZZT"
2015Better Call SaulDetective #2Episode: "Nacho"
2016The Night OfEpisode: "A Dark Crate"
2016–2018Shades of BlueCarlos EspadaMain role
2023Bosch: LegacyAgent Lucas JonesRecurring role
2024American Sports StoryDennis Hernandez

References

  1. ^ Mongelli, Lorena (2004-12-08). "FLYING HIGH – TV’S ’24’ STAR HECTOR LARESCA LIFTS OFF AS LEONARDO’S SIDEKICK IN THE BIOPIC ‘THE AVIATOR’". New York Post. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  2. ^ Jones, Okla (2022-01-19). "'Juice' Turns 30: See The Film's Cast Then And Now". Essence. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  3. ^ Gatta, Carla Della (2021-11-02). "Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet turns 25". Folger Shakespeare Library. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  4. ^ "Wayans' World". New York Daily News. 1997-10-05. Archived Dec 7, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-04-05.
  5. ^ Bolonik, Kera (2007). In the Weeds. Simon and Schuster. p. 179. ISBN 9781416938781. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  6. ^ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (2015-02-26). "Jennifer Lopez’s ‘Shades of Blue’ Adds Ray Liotta & Drea de Matteo". Variety. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  7. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (2018-10-16). "‘Blood Ties’ Cop Drama From Jennifer Lopez, Vincent Laresca, Tom Szentgyorgyi & Appian Way Set At NBC". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  8. ^ Chandna, Gautam (2019-12-17). "MOB TOWN's Star-Studded LA Premiere - A Family Affair". Indie Entertainment Media. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  9. ^ Grobar, Matt (2022-03-29). "‘Gemini Lounge’: Lucy Hale, Ashley Greene Among New Additions To Crime Thriller From ‘Rush Hour’ Producer Arthur Sarkissian". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  10. ^ Kirshner, Alex (2024-10-01). "What American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez Gets Right". Slate. ISSN 1091-2339. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  11. ^ Balla, Lesley (2007-11-30). "More Info About Villa". Eater LA. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  12. ^ Amter, Charlie (2008-03-20). "This might be the only time you'll see inside Villa". Los Angeles Times. Archived April 12, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  13. ^ Odell, Kat (2010-04-13). "Vinny Laresca Melds Theatre & Club at Premiere, Opening May". Eater LA. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  14. ^ Odell, Kat (2010-09-14). "Travel to Spain via Premiere in Hollywood, Now Soft Opened". Eater LA. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  15. ^ Odell, Kat (2012-04-06). "A Look Inside Outpost Restaurant, Soft Opening Tonight". Eater LA. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  16. ^ Kang, Matthew (2013-09-03). "Enjoy Shots, Burgers, and TVs Galore at Rusty Mullet". Eater LA. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  17. ^ Kang, Matthew (2014-10-24). "Blue Collar, A Relaxed New Drinking Den on Fairfax". Eater LA. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  18. ^ Holmes, Mona (2023-10-05). "Fairfax’s Blue Collar Crew Just Opened a New Speakeasy Bar With a Secret Bookcase Entry". Eater LA. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  19. ^ "Roadside Taco Studio City Adds Ramen Menu and Winter Patio". Food & Beverage Magazine. 2023-12-28. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  20. ^ Holmes, Mona (2025-10-16). "A New Carnivalesque Neighborhood Bar Hopes to Revive the Sunset Strip". Eater LA. Retrieved 2026-04-12.