FX’s Mayans M.C. is well into it’s second season with it’s 9th episode titled Itzam-Ye premiering next week. While some of the characters like JD Pardo’s EZ, Clayton Cardenas’ Angel and Michael Irby’s Bishop may be front and center in the spotlight a good portion of the time, it’s important to get to know some of the other characters that make up the rest of the positions in the club. A perfect example of this is Antonio Jaramillo’s Michael ‘Riz‘ Ariza. Check out the Season 2: Behind the Cut: Antonio Jaramillo clip provided by FX above!

Jaramillo’s character Riz, is El Secretario (the secretrary) and a full patch member of the Mayans M.C., Santo Padre. Like Jaramillo in real life, Riz had a broken upbringing that has given him the experience to navigate the outlaw world near the border. The video clip gives us a personal look into his past from orphanage to actor in the United Statas so many years later after he found his calling in theater. According to FX, a life changing moment came in 2004 while working in a restaurant in Orange County. He received an offer from the prestigious Geffen Playhouse to take on several understudy roles in their production of Richard Greenberg’s Take Me Out. His passion for the theater is evident by his work on Stephen Adly’s Our Lady of 121st Street, Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull and Tennessee Williams’ Camino Real. This has lead to Jaramillo’s rise on the small screen like on television shows like Veronica Mars and Charmed. He has had recurring roles in Meet the Browns, Gang Related, Dallas, Devious Maids and Shades of Blue.

Now if you’ve been keeping up with Mayans M.C. then you know that Riz is in big trouble after their club is attacked by the Vatos Malditos in the latest episode titled Kukulkan. With the part of this upcoming episode focusing on the well being of Riz, it’s a great time to take a moment and take a look at the man behind the character. Jaramillo’s story like many immigrants that come looking for a better life, can inspire us not to settle but to pursue our dreams (as corny as that sounds).

RELATED: FX GIVES US AN INSIDE LOOK AT THE WOMEN OF MAYANS M.C.

Make sure to tune into FX’s Mayans M.C. this Tuesday night at 10pm.

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Source: FX