Sonny Valens is a Hispanic American actor/entertainer and former Professional Wrestler. He was featured as one of Hilary Swank's main students in the 2007 Paramount Pictures film, Freedom Writers. Born in Upland CA and raised in Rialto, CA, he rose from the poverty-filled warzone into a young man imbued with hardened dreams and aspirations for the better. By 2000, Valens felt like a change of place was in the works. Through a series of fortunate events, his trainers Bill Anderson & Jesse Hernandez helped get him cast in a direct-to-video flick called "Backyard Dogs". The CD chose Valens as one of the lead wrestlers, Psycho Dave, which led to solid screen time. Once the experience ended, he was inspired him to turn his pursuits towards the career path of acting. In 2006, Valens auditioned for director Richard LaGravenese for the film. He beat out thousands of Hispanic actors to score the coveted role as one of two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank?s main Freedom Writers. 

April 30th, 1982 in Upland (Age 41)