Julio Cedillo Bio   

Julio Cedillo co-stars opposite Tommy Lee Jones in the Cannes Film Festival's double winner.

HOLLYWOOD - Although Julio Cedillo already has more than forty TV & Film appearances to his credit, his proudest moment came when he walked down the red carpet at the 58th Cannes Film Festival along side Tommy Lee Jones and Guillermo Arriaga for the screening of Jones' The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada . The film, which is Jones' directorial debut, walked away with two Palme d'Or awards, rarely given out to the same film. Julio plays the title character Melquiades Estrada, Jones' ranch hand friend.

Set in southwest Texas and Mexico, the film is a reflective journey about friendship, the value of human life, and redemption. The plot revolves around an earnest ranch hand (Jones) who decides to bury his friend, illegal immigrant Melquiades Estrada (Julio Cedillo) in his hometown in Mexico after he was accidentally killed by a border agent (Barry Pepper).

For Julio working with Tommy Lee Jones was quite a different experience.

To begin with, Jones would speak only in Spanish to him on the set, as their characters converse in Spanish in the film. "In some way it helped both of us," commented Julio.

“We had little of what you may consider rehearsing,” said Julio, who sees Jones as an alchemist of sorts.

“He can look at you and read you and he knows what you are made of," Julio said. "We did rehearse, but we didn't rehearse the way you think we would rehearse."

In recalling one of the scenes Julio says, “We had only 30 minutes to shoot a pivotal scene before the sun goes out. With 150 head of cattle behind us and the horses getting a little jittery because they've never been in front of the camera, I could feel a growing pressure. Tommy put his arm around me and said, ´Just remember, it's forever."

Certainly not a great consolation, but these words helped Julio in a different way. “I looked at myself and realised that I must be a responsible story teller who has 30 minutes to make his bid. So I did.”

The work of Julio Cedillo in The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada is an impressive addition to his already remarkable career. The words of film-reviewer August King summarize it best:

“Melquiades himself is portrayed by Julio Cedillo in a performance that you'd have to meet the actor to realize the brilliance of. All I can say is this: David Ayer – you must cast him in the Wild Bunch, if you don't your great script will be read by the likes of Mario Lopez and Paul Walker. Trust me on this: Cedillo, given the chance will be a Latin Mel Gibson only better.”

Read Julio's letter to the KD Studio students

Photos

	On the set of "Killing Down" - As Oscar Perez	"Killing Down" - with Sheree J. Wilson , Matthew  Stephen Tompkins, and Burton Gilliam
	On the set of "The Life of David Gale" with Kevin Spacey & Laura Linney.	As Lt. Herrera in TNT's drama "Two for Texas" - Scott Bairstow, Kris Kristofferson, Rodney Grant, and Julio
	On the set of  "On The Borderline." Rehearsing the dialogue with Bill Sage.	Gregory Nava's film "Bordertown" co-produced by Jennifer Lopez. Julio played Antonio Banderas' assistant at EL SOL newspaper

Julio Cedillo's letter to the future students at KD Studio

To all future students,

It is important to ask yourself some very tough questions before you decide to get into this business (theater, film, commercials, etc...).  You must know who you are and what you are made of. But more
importantly you must never get in this business for selfish and  superficial reasons. You will fail. Trying to achieve fame is an abstract mind set that will take you nowhere fast.  You must earn  your acting stripes by being intelligent, informed, and involved in the craft and business of acting. You are going to have to be a survivor who is savy and resourceful. Ultimately, you will be judged by your quality of work and professionalism. You must be persistent and consistent. Follow realistic goals and turn those stereotypical roles into niches. You will then gain noble ground, respect and then win! This business is cruel and ungrateful at times, which is why you shouldn't give up everything for this idealistic concept of fame. Your family and friends are what you have and never lose sight of that. Keep your sanity and normalcy because it will later serve you as an actor.

KD Studio was a stepping stone for me. It didn't have all the answers but it was full of resources and amazing teachers who I felt should have been discovered for their talents and insights. They reminded me everyday of the nobility in being an actor. We are instruments to be played. In a way you become a martyr for your theatrical cause, to create a cathartic experience for the audience.  I was taught to 
respect the craft and honor my instrument (my body, voice) by taking care of myself. KD Studio is a safe place to take chances and hopefully fail so you can learn from that experience.  The professional acting world does not give you that chance.  KD Studio is what you want it to be. You get what you put into it. So please don't look at KD as a launching pad for stardom. It is a place to clarify and de-mystify the craft and to hopefully educate you in the business aspect of acting. KD Studio can't teach you everything but 
they can enlighten you and give you the tools you have invested in to walk into any professional situation. You will learn so much about yourself but be considerate, respectful and open minded. But more 
importantly it is imperative that you be brave and humble.

Respectfully,

Julio César Cedillo

1990 Graduate