By The Numbers: Danny Trejo

I laughed when Danny Trejo was suggested for a BTN. Fitting really as that's the reaction I usually have when he appears on screen. I wasn't however laughing when I looked at his list of credits. A character actor I knew he'd been in a lot of films but I had no idea just how many. Would that help or hurt was the question?

First a quick rundown for those new to how this all works.

I take all the films an actor or actress has been in and break them down into three categories, 'Good' 'Bad' and 'Ok.' I do not count TV appearances or Made for TV movies. Afterwards a quick analysis will show whether or not they're a good actor by the numbers. Invariably there is a 2-3 +/- point bias on a person to person basis. Also, since 'ok' movies are not bad they count towards the positive column in the overall figuring. If, by the numbers, they fall in the 50 - 60% range, they're a bad actor; 61 - 70% good actor, and 71 - 80% great actor. Anything higher is unlikely, but will be classified as "elite."


Now let's see those numbers:

I've been doing this long enough to know that the more movies an actor has done the more likely it is to swing violently to one extreme or the other. If an actor takes any role without discretion he's likely to end up like Trejo. With 54% negative over 46% he falls solidly in the bad column. Some might argue otherwise but that feels right to me. I've enjoyed him in some roles where it calls for a little camp but mostly he's synonymous with bad to me.

Thanks to Powdered Toast Man for this week's pick! Also it's his birthday today so make sure you stop by his blog and wish him well.