Inmate #1: The Rise of Danny Trejo – first trailer for new documentary explores one of Hollywood’s most recognisable actors

Trejo's 400+ credits includes roles in Desperado, Machete, Spy Kids and Heat

Inmate #1: The Rise of Danny Trejo is a new documentary that explores the largely unknown backstory of one of Hollywood’s most recognisable faces.

Trejo was rocketed to fame via filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, who cast him in films including Desperado (1995), From Dusk Till Dawn (1996), Spy Kids (2001) and Machete (2010).

His additional credits have included scene-stealing roles as heavies, hitmen and brutes in films as diverse as Con Air (1997), Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004), Heat (1995) and Bubble Boy (2001).

Trejo’s own history is cinematic in itself, with one contributor to the documentary remarking: “They make movies and stories about guys like Danny.”

Born in Mexico and raised in Los Angeles, Trejo was addicted to heroin as a teenager and became immersed in criminality, leading him to numerous stints in prisons and young offender’s institutions.

After discovering a love of acting and getting sober, Trejo would go on to star in more than 400 films and TV series. Clean for 46 years, Trejo also uses the money he has earned from filmmaking to give back to the communities in which he was raised.

The new documentary, directed by award-winning filmmaker Brett Harvey, features contributions from a number of Trejo’s friends and collaborators, including Michelle Rodriguez, Cheech Marin, Donal Logue and Robert Rodriguez.

Inmate #1: The Rise of Danny Trejo is available for digital download from 22 June.