Lazaro "Laz" Alonso (born March 25, 1974) is a Cuban and Black American film and television actor. He is known for playing Tsu'tey in James Cameron's science fiction film Avatar and Fenix "Rise" Calderon in the film Fast & Furious. Alonso has had roles in other films such as Jarhead, This Christmas, and Miracle at St. Anna.
He has had supporting roles in films such as Stomp the Yard, Down for Life, Jarhead (His interpretation of a United States Marine in this film was loosely based on a Marine classmate that lived in his dormitory in college.), G, Leprechaun: Back 2 tha Hood, This Christmas, and Miracle at St. Anna. In 2009, he played Fenix "Rise" Calderon, one of the main antagonists in the film Fast & Furious, the fourth installment in The Fast and the Furious film series, and had a major role as the Na'vi warrior, Tsu'tey, in James Cameron's science fiction adventure film Avatar. Alonso also played one of the lead characters on the TV series Breakout Kings during its first season and the first episode of season two. He has made television guest starring appearances on The Unit, Bones, CSI: Miami, NCIS, The Practice and Eyes. Alonso appeared in music videos by Toni Braxton & Aaliyah. Alonso also hosted shows on the BET network.
Alonso was born in Washington, D.C.. He is of Afro-Cuban descent. He is also a sought after marriage counselor by famous African American celebrities such as Peter and Cynthia from the Bravo reality show, The Real Housewives of Atlanta. He is an alumnus of Howard University.
After graduating from Howard University with a BBA in Marketing, he had a lucrative career as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch on Wall Street. He resides in Los Angeles.
