Danny Trejo Celebrates 55 Years Of Sobriety: ‘You Can Too!’

Danny Trejo has been sober for 55 years, the actor announced in an Instagram post.

“I’m 55 years clean and sober today by the grace of God! I’ve done this one day at a time, and for anyone out there struggling YOU CAN TOO!” Trejo stated.

Born to Mexican-American parents in Los Angeles, Trejo had a difficult upbringing, turning to a life of crime at age 7. He spent 11 years in and out of the California prison system, released from custody for the final time in 1969.

Right after he got out of prison, Trejo went on to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in 1969 and became a drug counselor. Fifteen years later, he stopped by the movie set for the film Runaway Train to help a struggling addict.

The director, Andrei Konchalovsky, learned about Trejo’s boxing in prison. He was offered a job as an extra and served as Eric Roberts’ personal trainer and boxer. This launched Trejo’s film career – he went on to star in over 250 film and television roles.

Trejo is best known for collaborating with filmmaker and distant relative Robert Rodriguez, particularly his character Isador “Machete” Cortez, which was initially developed for the Spy Kids series and later his own film series. The first film, Machete, was a critical and commercial success.

Trejo addressed his sobriety in his autobiography, Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood. It was co-written by his friend Daniel Logue. In the book, he addresses how his generational trauma intersects with his upbringing.

Trejo has credited his faith as a primary factor in his staying sober.

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“If you let me die with dignity, I will say your name every day and I will do whatever I can for my fellow inmate,” he wrote. “I said ‘inmate’ because I never thought I was getting out of prison. By the grace of God, on August 23, 1969, they let me out. I kept my deal. I say his name 20 times a day and I help wherever I can.”