A Fourth of July parade ended in violence as actor Danny Trejo, 80, famous for his tough-guy roles in Hollywood, was involved in a fight at the Sunland-Tujunga Independence Day Parade, according to ABC Eyewitness News.
The all-out brawl reportedly began when a water balloon was thrown at the baby-blue vintage convertible the “Machete” star was riding in, leading to a confrontation.
Video footage shows the actor, dressed in a long-sleeved white shirt and black pants, approaching a man along the parade route, believed to be the water balloon thrower.
The video then shows Trejo throwing a punch at the alleged balloon thrower, prompting the man to retaliate. Although the man’s punch missed the actor, the scuffle ensued, resulting in Trejo falling to the ground and onto the curb.
The situation further escalated when the man who swung at Trejo punched another individual, knocking him to the ground. The growing brawl quickly erupted but was broken up by bystanders.
At one point, Trejo was seen grabbing a chair and throwing it. Subsequent footage shows him arguing with a woman, too, and another balloon being thrown at his head.
Stanley Herrarte, a witness, captured the brawl on his cellphone, noting that the altercation lasted nearly 10 minutes before the police arrived, according to ABC Eyewitness News.
“This parade is usually a fun event where people throw water balloons back and forth,” Herrarte explained. “Danny was upset because people typically don’t throw water balloons at the fancy cars.”
Danny Trejo has built a career playing tough characters and villains, most notably the character Machete in several Robert Rodriguez films. Recently, he has also branched out into the food business.
This incident adds a real-life twist to Trejo’s tough-guy persona, making for an unexpected and dramatic moment at what was intended to be an calm and festive holiday event.
Actor Danny Trejo poses during the photo call for the movie Machete at the 67th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)ASSOCIATED PRESS
ABOUT DANNY TREJO
Danny Trejo is an American actor and entrepreneur, born May 16, 1944, in Los Angeles, CA. Trejo had a troubled youth, involving drug addiction and time in prison, during which he became a champion boxer.
His acting career started in the 1985 film “Runaway Train,” which he was cast because of his boxing skills and tough appearance. Notable roles include the “Spy Kids” series and its spin-off films “Machete” and “Machete Kills.”
Trejo also appeared in Quentin Tarantino’s “From Dusk Till Dawn” and Robert Rodriguez’s “Desperado.”
Appearances in “Heat,” “Con Air,” and “Grindhouse.”
As an entrepreneur, Trejo has expanded into the food industry, opening several restaurants in the Los Angeles area, including Trejo’s Tacos, Trejo’s Cantina, and Trejo’s Coffee & Donuts. He’s also involved in charitable activities, particularly those aimed at helping individuals overcome addiction and stay out of prison.