Who plays Javier Escano on Chicago PD?

Javier Escano has quickly become one of the most formidable villains on Chicago PD. As the quiet owner of a bakery franchise, Escano covertly runs a cartel that has led to the death of hundreds in the city.

Escano is now in the crosshairs of Voight (Jason Beghe) and the rest of IU, but all signs point to him being a difficult criminal to take down. The latest episode, “Closer”, teased an ongoing story arc that would see Escano work alongside (and hopefully be taken down by) undercover worker Anna Avalos (Carmela Zumbado).

Here’s what you need to know about Escano and the talented actor who plays him.

Who does Jose Zuniga play on Chicago PD?

Escano is played by José Zúñiga. He’s been a familiar presence on film and television since his debut in the acclaimed 1993 drama Alive. Often cast as criminals and/or officers, his big screen credits include Con Air (1997), Mission: Impossible III (2006), and Twilight (2008). His last film to date was the 2020 comedy Half Brothers.

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While a resume with these titles would make for an impressive career, it pales in comparison to Zúñiga’s TV work. He’s appeared on nearly every major show of the last three decades, with prime roles in NYPD Blue, CSI: Miami, Dexter, and Prison Break just to name a few.

Who played Monk on the TV show?

He’s also a proven vet when it comes to Dick Wolf productions, as he played a staggering six characters on Law & Order between 1992 and 2006. One show that Zúñiga does not appear on, however, is Monk, despite him bearing a physical resemblance to star Tony Shalhoub. Fans have confused the two actors over the years, despite Zúñiga being Honduran and Shalhoub being of Lebanese descent.

All signs point to Zúñiga being a recurring presence on Chicago PD, which is great news for fans given his sinister presence and unpredictable actions. He definitely comes across as a formidable match for Voight after a series of lower level adversaries.

Those want to watch more of the actor, though, can see him in the current season of the HBO hit Westworld and the upcoming miniseries Griselda. The latter is about a woman who created one of the biggest cartels in history, and will see Zúñiga act opposite Sofia Vergara and Orlando Pineda.

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