Sonny Ayon
Sonny Valens (born April 30, 1982) is a Hispanic American actor/entertainer and former Professional Wrestler. He was featured as one of Hilary Swank's main students in the 2007 Paramount Pictures film, Freedom Writers.Born in Upland CA and raised in Rialto, CA, he rose from the poverty-filled warzone into a young man imbued with hardened dreams and aspirations for the better.By 2000, Valens felt like a change of place was in the works. Through a series of fortunate events, his trainers Bill Anderson & Jesse Hernandez helped get him cast in a direct-to-video flick called "Backyard Dogs". The CD chose Valens as one of the lead wrestlers, Psycho Dave, which led to solid screen time. Once the experience ended, he was inspired him to turn his pursuits towards the career path of acting.In 2006, Valens auditioned for director Richard LaGravenese (P.S. I Love You) for the film. He beat out thousands of Hispanic actors to score the coveted role as one of two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank’s main Freedom Writers. Working alongside industry notables such as Grey’s Anatomy’s Patrick Dempsey, recording artist Mario, and Imelda Staunton, Valens learned a great deal on set, reinforcing his desires to become a successful working actor. In the same year, he signed with the Momentum Talent Agency.As 2008 rolled inwards, Valens scored the role of George in an episode of America's Most Wanted. In the same year, he personally read for Kevin Bacon in his directorial effort for TNT’s The Closer and was booked for the episode. Furthermore, numerous auditions for FX’s The Shield throughout the course of the year for various roles, the casting director hired him for one of the last episode of the final season, in the role of Flaco, a hardened gangster who robs Walton Goggins, who plays Michael Chiklis’ partner in the series.Valens moved on to complete a stint as the big bully in the band Red Jumpsuit Apparatus’ "Say Your Prayer" music video, which is a fun FX-filled extravaganza.Furthering his career in 2009, he starred as the lead in a music video for a song called "A Soldier Never Dies", a track dedicated to fallen marine Anthony Hector Vargas. The track for rapper Invincible, featuring Grammy-nominated R&B artist Jon B. (of Tupac Shakur's "R U Still Down?" and "Babyface"'s "Someone to Love") and producer Battlecat (who produced songs for Xzibit, Snoop Dogg, The Game). The video was directed by Paolo Ongkeko and produced by Don Le.