Machete might not “text” or “tweet”, but Danny Trejo sure knows how to do a funny interview. Witty, charming, and with a huge personality, Danny has had an impressive life. Although he spent a couple of years in San Quentin in his youth, he managed to say goodbye to a life of drugs and gangs. Today, he is an international star who has shot more than 250 films, collaborated with Hollywood’s brightest actors and directors, and still takes time to help disadvantaged kids in blue collar communities. Please enjoy our Danny Trejo exclusive interview:

Danny: What’s up homey?

Claudio: What’s up Danny.

Danny: I have my movie freaks going on.

Claudio: First of all, I would like to thank you. I know you are a very busy dude.

Danny: (Laughs) Absolutely.

Claudio: The first question is, I remember when I used to live in Mexico City in the 80s; the American films I saw with Hispanic characters were gang-related like ‘American Me’ or ‘Blood in, Blood out’ (the last one Danny was an extra).

Danny: Yes, I did ‘Blood in, Blood out’. ‘American Me’ was too controversial. A lot of people got into trouble because of ‘American Me’. They didn’t know how to do it. Edward James (Olmos) thought he could just do something without certain people’s permission, and it came back to bite him. But Taylor Hackford used me to do ‘Blood In, Blood Out’ with no problem.

Claudio: What do you think today of there being cool Hispanic heroes–you know, like Antonio Banderas in ‘Desperado’, ‘Spy Kids’, and of course you in ‘Machete’. I mean you guys have changed the rules of the game. How’s that make you feel?

Danny: Well, I think Robert Rodriguez is more for the Latino community than anybody in the last 50 years. I honestly believe that he opened doors and broke them down. It was a long time coming because they said we cannot carry a movie and Antonio carried ‘Desperado’, I carried ‘Machete,’ and ‘Machete Kills,” I think, is going to be amazing. It’s going to be one of the most awaited films of this year.

Claudio: Yeah, the trailer sizzles and the cast is out of this world. Speaking of your films, your characters have cool names like “Machete”,” “Navajas,” “Cuchillo,” and “Cucuy.” But in real life you’re known as  “The Major”, right? And that’s because you like to help the community?

Danny: Yeah, yeah. Me with my camaradas that’s what we do. We give away toys in the barrios, talk to kids in juvenile hall, to high schools, we do whatever we can. If we can just keep one kid from taking the wrong path, Diosito will bless us.

Claudio: Totally agree. Something I love about you is you mentioned, “All the good things that came to your life is because of the unconditional good acts you made”. It’s karma.

Danny: One of the things I say every day: all the good things that happened to me is a direct result of helping someone else.

Claudio: Today you are one of the most prolific American actors out there. Since the 1990s, you usually have worked in at least four films per year. In 2002 alone, you acted in nine films. Do you have any time for your personal life?

Danny: I think making movies is my personal life. I love what I do. I mean I love helping people and making movies.

Claudio: It’s obvious you are an international star today, but when you realized you have fans outside the US…

Danny: (Huge laugh). I was in Germany una vez, at the airport, and there were lots of people that were waving and waving, and I asked my guide, “Quién está aquí, quién está aquí?” (Who’s here?) ¿Michael Jackson o quién? “You! You!” “What do you mean you?” (Huge laugh). And the amazing thing was all the kids were yelling “Uncle Machete! Uncle Machete!” I almost didn’t believe it! So I call Robert (laughing) y le llamé como a las tres de la mañana (I call him about 3am) and shouted everyone is calling me “Uncle Machete” and I’m in Germany! (laughs)

Claudio: Now let’s talk about Machete Kills. The first Machete movie was a film experiment that turned into an international success.

Danny: People don’t know it, but Robert Rodriguez started talking to me about Machete when we were doing ‘Desperado’ 20 years ago. We were in a pueblito call Acuña. Mexico. And the locals didn’t speak to Antonio. His Spanish is from Spain, and the locals spoke Spanglish, Mexican or Pachuco. And when they saw me without my shirt, a lot of tattoos, people looked at me. Robert Rodriguez told me, “Hey, they think you are the star of the movie,” and I said, “So do I.” (laughing). So Robert Rodriguez starting talking to me about Machete. He said, “Machete es un hombre de la gente.” (“Machete is people’s man.”) So that was how Machete was born. Then when we did ‘Spy Kids,” he said, “Let’s name the character ‘Machete.’ ‘Uncle Machete.” And then one day, we did the trailer for ‘The Grindhouse’. And if you notice, everything that was on the fake trailer was in the movie.

Claudio: One question I wanted to ask you: I know you gave creative input in the ‘Runaway Train’ film. Did Robert Rodriguez create Machete by himself or did you give him a few pointers?

Danny:  When we did the movie ‘Machete’ Robert Rodriguez and I had a language of our own. Robert knows what I want. I know what he wants. He joked around and said: “Instead of acting, do your thing.”

Claudio: How was the mood on the Machete Kills set? Were Robert, Charlie, Mel and you quiet, or were you guys like high school kids playing pranks?

Danny:  Let me tell you–when I saw Mel Gibson, I was like a kid. I was like “My God, Mel Gibson!” I had a sword fight with him, right? So when Robert shouted “Action!!!” I put my sword down. And he said, “Hey, what’s wrong?” I told him “I’m not fighting William Wallace!” “Are you crazy!” (big laugh). But seriously, we had lots of fun, and Charlie, I’ve known him for years. And I don’t know anything about their personal lives; I don’t care. On the set, those guys are so professional, all of them, todos!

Claudio: This is a question for the guys. I know your friends envy you for kissing Jessica Alba in the first film. Are there any kisses in this one?

Danny: They were chasing me. “Dame un beso! Dame un beso!” (“Kiss me!”)

Claudio: So do you kiss Sofia Vergara or Lindsay Lohan?

Danny:  Oh, Sofia she’s amazing. Actually we worked in a movie we did back in New York and then on her show. And Lady Gaga, once I saw over my oven a sartén (pot) that says “Lady Gaga used these pans of Machete Kills.” She cooks her own food because she is very health conscious. So I asked her if I can keep them, and I did. But I am not going to sell them on e-bay.

Claudio: On several occasions, you have worked with Robert Rodriguez. Is there another Hispanic or Mexican filmmaker with whom you would like to work, like Guillermo del Toro or Alfonso Cuarón?

Danny:  Guillermo del Toro. I love Guillermo; I would love to work with him.

Claudio: You have a résumé that other actors would kill for. Let’s name a few: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Harvey Keitel, John Voight, Charlie Sheen and Mel Gibson. How does it feel to have this status?

Danny: Well, ask them how do they feel to work with me (laughs). In ‘Heat’, I wanted Robert De Niro and Al Pacino’s autograph, and they told me, “You’re not supposed to do that because you’re the star.” I am still in awe with all of them. I love to work with people who love to do what they are doing.

Claudio: One last question Danny. I don’t know if you can tell me today. So, when is Machete going to space?

Danny: Well, they can put me in a space suit. Machete is going to kill cabrones in outer space.

Claudio: Thanks Danny; have a good one!

Danny: Say hello to all my fans!

Don’t forget! ‘Machete Kills‘ opens October 11,2013.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=oq2zjncT81A

Follow @4moviefreaks