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Rubén Blades

Rubén Blades

Actor and composer, also producer · Born July 16, 1948 (78) · Panama City, Panama

​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.   Rubén Blades Bellido de Luna (born July 16, 1948) is a Panamanian salsa singer, songwriter, lawyer, actor, Latin jazz musician, and politician, performing musically most often in the Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz genres. As songwriter, Blades brought the lyrical sophistication of Central American nueva canción and Cuban nueva trova as well as experimental tempos and political inspired Nuyorican salsa to his music, creating thinking persons' (salsa) dance music. Blades has composed dozens of musical hits, the most famous of which is "Pedro Navaja," a song about a neighborhood thug who appears to die during a robbery (his song "Sorpresas" continues the story), inspired by "Mack the Knife." He also composed and sings what many Panamanians consider their second national anthem. The song is titled "Patria" (Fatherland). He is an icon in Panama and is much admired throughout Latin America, and managed to attract 18% of the vote in his failed attempt to win the Panamanian presidency in 1994. In September 2004, he was appointed minister of tourism by Panamanian president Martín Torrijos for a five-year term. He holds a law degree from the University of Panama and a master's in international law from Harvard University. He is married to singer Luba Mason. Description above from the Wikipedia article Rubén Blades, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
July 16, 1948 (78)
From
Panama City, Panama
Works as
Actor and composer, also producer
Titles
41 on MovieCove · 70 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 7% in 30 days

What are Rubén Blades' films like?

Across their 36 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Self.

Genres

Drama12 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 53rd percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Action7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 52nd percentile
: browse their Action movies
Crime6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 36th percentile
: browse their Crime movies
Comedy5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 30th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Documentary3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 85th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 70th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
24%
Self
20%
Bonds
18%
Survival
15%
Society
12%
Power
9%
Ideas
1%
Justice9 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love6 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival5 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass4 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 35 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 9 · Serious 9 · Dark 17

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 27 · Stylized 7 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 7 · Charged 13 · Intense 15

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 12 · Shifting 18 · Whiplash 5

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 23 · Some laughs 8 · Funny 4

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 14 · Even-paced 17 · Relentless 4

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 11 · Engaged 21 · Full focus 3

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 8 · Affecting 13 · Heavy 14

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 25 · Open-ended 7 · Ambiguous 3

Roles they play

17 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 3 of 17 analyzed roles.

Ally
3 of 17
Mentor
3 of 17
Shadow
3 of 17
Threshold guardian
2 of 17
Trickster
2 of 17
Hero
2 of 17
Herald
1 of 17
Shapeshifter
1 of 17
Show the 17 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
26
Melancholic
17
Dread
11
Hopeful
9
Thrilling
6
Other
29

How their films linger

Bittersweet15 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy5
  • Bittersweet21
  • Tragic3
  • Ambiguous7

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Rubén Blades' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 27 of their 41 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (14).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Rubén Blades' titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

70 credits, 41 with a MovieCove page; 23 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Campeón Gabacho(2026)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Pedro Navaja (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Author

  • Salsa Lives (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Ruben Blades

  • Red Pill(2021)

    as Rocky

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Plaza Catedral(2021)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Operation Just Cause (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Composer

  • Ruben Blades Is Not My Name(2018)

    Composer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Hands of Stone(2016)

    as Carlos Eleta

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Fear the Walking Dead(2015)

    Show 82 episodes · as Daniel Salazar

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all shows

  • Yo soy la Salsa(2014)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Counselor(2013)

    as Jefe

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • For Greater Glory: The True Story of Cristiada(2012)

    as Président Calles

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Safe House(2012)

    as Carlos Villar

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • ¡Sonó, Sonó… Tite Curet! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Actor

  • The Next Season (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Benito

  • Rubén Blades: Todos Vuelven Live, Vol. 1 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Actor

  • Rubén Blades: Todos Vuelven Live, Vol. 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Actor

  • Spoken Word (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Cruz-Sr.

  • La clave (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Actor

  • Secuestro express(2004)

    as Carla's Father

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Spin(2003)

    as Ernesto

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Imagining Argentina(2003)

    as Silvio Ayala

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Once Upon a Time in Mexico(2003)

    as Jorge, Retired FBI Agent

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Assassination Tango(2002)

    as Miguel

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • The Maldonado Miracle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Cruz

  • Encuentro (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • Empire(2002)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • All the Pretty Horses(2000)

    as Rocha

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Gideon's Crossing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 21 episodes · as Dr. Max Cabranes

  • Cradle Will Rock(1999)

    as Diego Rivera

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Willie Colón & Rubén Blades - Live In Venezuela (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Rubén Blades

  • A Roll of the Dice: The Capeman on Broadway (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Actor

  • Chinese Box(1997)

    as Jim

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • From Son to Salsa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Actor

  • The Devil's Own(1997)

    as Edwin Diaz

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Al compás de un sentimiento: la música de Pedro Flores (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Actor

  • Scorpion Spring(1995)

    as Border Patrolman Sam Zaragosa

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Color of Night(1994)

    as Hector

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • A Million to Juan(1994)

    as Bartender

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • The X-Files(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Conrad Lozano

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Life with Mikey(1993)

    as Angie's Dad (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Miracle on Interstate 880(1993)

    as Pastor Beruman

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • The Super(1991)

    as Marlon

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Rabbit Ears - Joseph and His Brothers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Crazy from the Heart(1991)

    as Ernesto Ontiveros

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • One Man's War(1991)

    as Perrone

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • The Josephine Baker Story(1991)

    as Count Giuseppe Pepito Abatino

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Just cause, ¿para quién? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Composer

  • Predator 2(1990)

    as Danny Archuleta

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • The Two Jakes(1990)

    as Mickey Nice

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Mo' Better Blues(1990)

    as Petey

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Q&A(1990)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • The Heart of the Deal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Actor

  • The Lemon Sisters(1989)

    as C.W.

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Disorganized Crime(1989)

    as Carlos Barrios

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Dead Man Out (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Ben

  • Oliver & Company(1988)

    Songs

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • The Story of Fausta (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Composer

  • Coverup: Behind the Iran Contra Affair (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Composer

  • Homeboy(1988)

    as Doctor

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • The Milagro Beanfield War(1988)

    as Sheriff Bernabe Montoya

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Fatal Beauty(1987)

    as Carl Jimenez

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Critical Condition(1987)

    as Louis

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Crossover Dreams (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Rudy Veloz

  • By the Green Trail (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Composer

  • Peter Knife (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Songs

  • When the Mountains Tremble (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Composer

  • The Last Fight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Andy "Kid" Clave

  • Ligia Elena (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Composer

  • Armadillo United (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Coach Yepez

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 68 titles, 67 of them dated from 1983 to 2026; peak year 1989.

Biggest box office

Safe House (2012)

$208M worldwide

Highest rated

The Josephine Baker Story (1991)

Midcredits 78th

Most popular right now

Fear the Walking Dead (2015)

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19832026

Peak 1989 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 6 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting56 of 68: 56 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score47thWriting1 of 68: 1 only writing, 0 with another roleMusic9 of 68: 9 only music, 0 with another roleOther crew2 of 68: 2 only other crew, 0 with another role

By decade

1980s16 · 9 acting · 7 crew1990s24 · 22 acting · 2 crew2000s12 · 11 acting · 1 crew2010s11 · 10 acting · 1 crew2020s4 · 3 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 4th · top billed in 5% of 22 roles
879202

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Rubén Blades' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 50th percentile, the median of all 39; across their 35 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 50th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

50thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 35

Approval · how many liked their films

51stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 35

Reach · how many have seen their films

74thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 35

Midcredits score across 41 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up5
  • 50th to 74th16
  • 25th to 49th15
  • Below 25th5

Shape of the crowd

16 of their 41 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser16
  • Broadly Agreed4
  • Mixed16

Most divisive · actor

Red Pill (2021)

99th percentile spread · 51% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor, composer

Ruben Blades Is Not My Name (2018)

Midcredits 85th · 76% liked

Reviewers score the acting 71/100 in their films, across 29 reviewed titles; fans 80, detractors 46. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Rubén Blades' work okay for kids?

Across up to 10 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore10 titles41–94 · median 82 · severeheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity10 titles12–77 · median 30 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity8 titles47–88 · median 78 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs8 titles33–57 · median 41 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense9 titles40–84 · median 63 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Rubén Blades work with?

People who share at least 2 of Rubén Blades' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Abner Benaim shares the most, 3.

Directors

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers