There was a time when many actors in the country dreamed of making it big in Hollywood. Jorge Caballero, a Catalan who chased that dream to the United States in 1987, now, after more than three decades of globalization and a world that can be reached from home, contemplates a return to his roots.
“I have spent my life moving from one project to another. I fell in love with the musical stage as a young man, and I went to the Tisch School of the Arts. It was the era of fame, a captivating period.” That is how he describes the American dream. He recalls arriving in New York during a time when there was no phone or internet, and going there felt like stepping onto another planet. He shares this from his home in Los Angeles via Zoom.
The past held a sense of wonder. “It was all very special. You believed deeply in what you wanted to achieve because there was no point of comparison. I walked along Fifth Avenue and glimpsed an exaggeration that stuck with me. That innocence fueled my career and helped me pursue what I do. If I knew then what I know now, I might have chosen a different path,” he reflects.
In those early days, an actor’s American debut often meant waiting tables to pay the bills. Yet his talents as a dancer allowed him to earn a living while continuing his training at a renowned school. Stella Adler’s program and the stage doors it opened, with mentors who shaped actors who went on to work in major productions, left a lasting impression. “When I graduated, I was already full of energy. New York is a city you have to experience when you are young because it fuels your vitality,” he notes.
The moment in which the character of a film came alive was always part of the journey. The performer recalls scenes from a role in which a Venetian millionaire appears in a production of the film set in a particular city. He still reads lines in Italian, a nod to the blend of national identities that informs many contemporary film projects. The mix of Italian, Catalan, and Latino heritage is celebrated in Hollywood, acknowledged as a factor that influences casting and storytelling in a global industry.
“Accent boundaries” have long defined opportunities, though times have shifted. Now platforms and international productions have broadened access, but an actor’s accent and appearance historically determined the kinds of roles available. The narrative continues, noting how Latinos are increasingly cast beyond traditional stereotypes, while still often carrying a strong cultural resonance. The performer has contributed to a wide array of projects, including major films and popular television series, adding to a résumé that spans different genres and audiences.
Looking back, the artist reflects that success was never just about talent or luck. It involved a mix of commercial work, campaigns, and personal projects. Dance remained a constant thread, with early training in flamenco and tango sharpening rhythm and expression. Multilingual ability emerged as a practical strength, with fluency in English, French, Spanish, Catalan, and ongoing studies in Basque, the language of the grandmother. The dream now includes a return to Catalan and Basque studies as a future possibility.
Among the people who influenced the journey, the collaboration with Camila Cabello in a recent project stands out. Cabello’s family-centered approach and the idea of balancing glory with personal life left a lasting impression, underscoring a message that resonates across generations: the pursuit of artistic success does not demand the abandonment of family or authenticity. The actor admires this balance and notes how it can inspire a sustainable approach to fame.
Occasionally, the decision to reenter the public sphere stems from a moment of pause. A period of reflection or even restriction can push an artist to reinvent themselves and embark on a second act. The path back is not easy, but it draws on years of experience in acting, choreography, and judging competitions on television. Projects that celebrate movement, rhythm, and performance allowed a broad audience to engage with the craft in new ways. In addition to acting and dancing, the artist plays the piano and composes, exploring a broader range of creative talents that can enrich a judging role or a mentorship position. This multi-faceted experience fuels another ambition: to help younger performers find their own pathways to success while staying true to their identities and roots. In the end, it seems the dream is less about a destination and more about the ongoing pursuit of growth and fulfillment, no matter where life leads.