Sep 21, 2016 10:53 PM EDT By Jane Reed, UniversityHerald Reporter

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Jimmy Smits grew up in a working-class neighborhood. He lived in a diverse household. He even spent some time in Puerto Rico. He identifies himself as Puerto Rican and was an active protester against the United States bombing Puerto Rican areas for testing.

But behind his notable arrests as an activist, he is actually a Cornell University alumnus, according to KR CR Tv. His younger years were filled with physical activity. He was an athlete and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School.

Later on, after graduating high school, he earned a bachelor's degree from Brooklyn College in 1980. Later on, he earned his masteral degree from Cornell University in 1982. He became a master of Fine Arts.

After earning his degrees, he became active in the industry. In 1984, he played Eddie Rivera in "Miami Vice." But he only appeared for the premiere episode which ran for two hours. He was Sonny Crockett's original partner that was killed. Two years later, he starred in "L.A. Law" as Victor Sifuentes.

His most critically acclaimed role was when he played Detective Bobby Simone on the hit television series "NYPD Blue." The series ran for two years until 1998. He received Emmy nominations for his role in the hit series. But aside from winning an ALMA, he also received the HOLA or the Hispanic Org. Of Latin Actors.

If you are not a fan of criminal television series and police drama, then maybe you have seen Jimmy Smits as Senator Bail Organa in "Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones" and "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith."

He even has some theater chops in his belt. He acted in a lot of theater plays in Ithaca, New York. Which includes a Cabaret performance and a Shakespeare gig.

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