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David Zayas

David Zayas

Actor · Born August 15, 1962 (64) · Ponce, Puerto Rico

Screen Actors Guild Award nominee

David Zayas (born August 15, 1962) is a Puerto Rican theatrical, film, and television actor. He is best known for his roles as Angel Batista on Showtime's series Dexter and as Enrique Morales on the HBO prison drama Oz. Since 1998, Zayas has been married to actress Liza Colón-Zayas; he portrays the husband of her character on The Bear (2022 - present).

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
August 15, 1962 (64)
From
Ponce, Puerto Rico
Works as
Actor
Titles
73 on MovieCove · 91 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 5% in 30 days

What are David Zayas' films like?

Across their 24 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Survival and Self.

Genres

Drama6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 48th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 13th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 55th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy 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
Survival
26%
Self
25%
Bonds
21%
Morality
20%
Power
3%
Ideas
3%
Society
3%
Family bonds8 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity7 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival7 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption6 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma3 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice4 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this themeObsession2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 19 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 13 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 2

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 2 · Charged 8 · Intense 9

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

Steady 8 · Shifting 9 · Whiplash 2

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

Straight-faced 11 · Some laughs 8 · Funny 0

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

Slow burn 7 · Even-paced 7 · Relentless 5

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

Casual 7 · Engaged 11 · Full focus 1

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

Resolved 11 · Open-ended 7 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

8 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 3 of 8 analyzed roles.

Shadow
3 of 8
Threshold guardian
2 of 8
Trickster
1 of 8
Ally
1 of 8
Herald
1 of 8
Show the 8 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
19
Dread
8
Melancholic
8
Contemplative
6
Warm
5
Other
17

How their films linger

Unsettling7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet11
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous8

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 David Zayas' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 55 of their 73 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Prime Video (16).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for David Zayas' 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

91 credits, 73 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • R.J. Decker(2026)

    Show 3 episodes · as Victor Ochoa

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • The Running Man(2025)

    as Richard Manuel

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Or Something(2024)

    as Uptown Mike

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Dexter: Resurrection(2025)

    Show 10 episodes · as Angel Batista

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Snag(2023)

    as Ramon

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • The Night Agent(2023)

    Show 2 episodes · as Mike Fonseca

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Adieu Aurora(2022)

    as Jon Castaneda

  • The Bear(2022)

    Show 5 episodes · as David Marrero

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Elite Short Stories: Samuel Omar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as Hombre borracho 1

  • Dexter: New Blood(2021)

    Show 2 episodes · as Angel Batista

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • R♥️J (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Fernando Capulet

  • Next(2020)

    Show 3 episodes · as Nacio Ramos

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • Power Book II: Ghost(2020)

    Show 1 episode · as Uncle Frank

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Force of Nature(2020)

    as John the Baptist

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Our Lady of 121st Street (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Edwin

  • Body Cam(2020)

    as Sergeant Kesper

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Deadly Class(2018)

    Show 3 episodes · as El Alma Del Diablo · as El Angel Del Diablo

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • FBI(2018)

    Show 3 episodes · as Antonio Vargas

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • Seven Seconds(2018)

    Show 3 episodes · as Medina

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Shine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Ramon

  • The Guest Book(2017)

    Show 1 episode · as David

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • 11:55(2016)

    as Maurice

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Teen Titans: The Judas Contract(2017)

    as Alberto Reyes (voice)

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Lost Cat Corona (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Ponce

  • Shut Eye(2016)

    Show 20 episodes · as Eduardo Bernal

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all shows

  • The Lennon Report(2016)

    as Officer Joseph Medina

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Tallulah(2016)

    as Detective Richards

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • The Wannabe(2015)

    as Pablo Guzman

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Quantico(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Charlie

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all shows

  • Annie(2014)

    as Lou

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Ride(2014)

    as Ramon

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Gotham(2014)

    Show 11 episodes · as Sal Maroni

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • Saint George(2014)

    Show 6 episodes · as Junior

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all shows

  • Chicago P.D.(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Carlos Mendoza

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • The Blacklist(2013)

    Show 4 episodes · as Manny Soto

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Jodi Arias: Dirty Little Secret(2013)

    as Detective Flores

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • The Following(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Tyson Hernandez

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Elementary(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Juan Murillo

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Junction (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Lt. Tarelli

  • Grimm(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Salvadore Butrell

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Person of Interest(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Ernie Trask

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Samuel Bleak(2013)

    as Ruben Ramirez

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Bob's Burgers(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Bubble Master (voice)

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Skyline(2010)

    as Oliver

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Blue Bloods(2010)

    Show 5 episodes · as Governor Martin Mendez

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • The Expendables(2010)

    as General Garza

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Coach (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Ramon

  • 13(2010)

    as Detective Larry Mullane

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Wake(2009)

    as Grayson

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Burning Mussolini (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Hector

  • Flying By (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Tony

  • In Plain Sight(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Harrison Locke

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • The Savages(2007)

    as Eduardo

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Michael Clayton(2007)

    as Detective Dalberto

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Burn Notice(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Javier

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Dexter(2006)

    Show 96 episodes · as Angel Batista

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Shark(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Alvarez

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Conviction(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Cartwright

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • 16 Blocks(2006)

    as Robert Torres

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • The Feast of the Goat(2005)

    as Antonio de la Maza

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • The Closer(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Brian

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • The Interpreter(2005)

    as Charlie Russell

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Numb3rs(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Carlos Costavo

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all shows

  • Jailbait(2004)

    as Guard

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Mimmo & Paulie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Paulie

  • Angels in America(2003)

    Show 3 episodes · as Super

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Undefeated (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Paulie

  • Anne B. Real (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Cynthia's Dad

  • Without a Trace(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Gabriel Molina

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • CSI: Miami(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Ben Porterson

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • A Gentleman's Game(2002)

    as Alfred D'Angelo

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Washington Heights (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as David

  • Law & Order: Criminal Intent(2001)

    Show 2 episodes · as Fire Marshall · as Stanley Maas

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Wit(2001)

    as Code Team Blue Head

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Sam the Man(2001)

    as Billy the Cop

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • The Yards(2000)

    as Officer Jerry Rifkin

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • The Beat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 5 episodes · as Rei Morales

  • Bringing Out the Dead(1999)

    as Cop in Elevator

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Third Watch(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Motorman

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Detective Milton · as Warren Fels

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Stepmom(1998)

    as Policeman

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Above Freezing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Hector

  • Rounders(1998)

    as Osborne

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Scar City(1998)

    as Cop #1

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Return to Paradise(1998)

    as Construction Foreman

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • O.K. Garage(1998)

    as Omar

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Bleach (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Lt. Ballard

  • Oz(1997)

    Show 32 episodes · as Enrique Morales

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Lena's Dreams (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Jorge

  • Law & Order(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Carlos · as John Mireles · as Justin Cabrera · as McGinty · as Raoul Cervantes

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Grind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 91 titles, 90 of them dated from 1990 to 2026; peak year 2006.

Biggest box office

The Expendables (2010)

$274M worldwide

Highest rated

Dexter: Resurrection (2025)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

Dexter (2006)

Film career

MilestoneNomination
19902026

Peak 2006 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 3 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
Acting91 of 91: 91 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score65th

By decade

1990s13 · acting2000s29 · acting2010s32 · acting2020s16 · acting

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 0% of 23 roles
980818

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.

Awards

4 major nominations and no wins, 2009–2012.

  1. 2012
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
  2. 2011
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
  3. 2010
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
  4. 2009
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do David Zayas' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 50th percentile, the median of the 34 of 35 with a score; across their 19 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 37th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

37thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 19

Approval · how many liked their films

45thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 19

Reach · how many have seen their films

75thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 19

Midcredits score across 72 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up29
  • 50th to 74th21
  • 25th to 49th12
  • Below 25th10

Shape of the crowd

37 of their 72 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved13
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser37
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed14

Most divisive · actor

Saint George (2014)

93rd percentile spread · 46% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Dexter: Resurrection (2025)

Midcredits 99th · 96% liked

Reviewers score the acting 62/100 in their films, across 18 reviewed titles; fans 76, detractors 37. 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 David Zayas' work okay for kids?

Across up to 13 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, profanity, alcohol & drugs and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore8 titles50–92 · median 80 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity13 titles8–55 · median 30 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity8 titles51–85 · median 65 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs8 titles33–52 · median 44 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense8 titles38–87 · median 68 · 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 David Zayas work with?

People who share at least 2 of David Zayas' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; James Remar shares the most, 2.

Actors

Editors

Producers

Mixed roles