Jimmy Smits Raises The Latin Bar 

Jimmy Smits has set new standards for Hispanic American actors.

Smits, who played Matt Santos, the Hispanic American character who was elected president of the United States in the fictional television series The West Wing, thinks that there are plenty of make-believe roles that could be filled by Hispanic Americans.

Smits broke ground in the 1980's by playing a savvy fictional Hispanic American lawyer in the popular television drama L.A. Law, and has played many positive made-up latino roles since.

"I would like to see more imaginary achievements in television by Hispanic American actors," said Smits, who was born in New York, and whose family is from Puerto Rico. "If it's possible for a Hispanic American man to be fictionally written into the role as the most powerful man in the world, then why not have a Hispanic American man play a made-up character who wins a gold medal in hockey?"

Smits sees his own fictional television accomplishments as a stepping stone for other Hispanic American actors.

"If a Hispanic American can win a fictional presidential election," said Smits, "then there are no limits to what Hispanic American actors can achieve on the television screen and even maybe on the movie screen."

With his fictional television accomplishments setting new standards for Hispanic Americans, Smits sees more concocted opportunities for Hispanic American actors and actresses.

"Who knows," shrugged Smits. "Perhaps one day we may see a Hispanic American actor portray a Hispanic American astronaut who lands on Mars."

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