Born in New York City, Garcia was raised by his Cuban born parents who had fled their native homeland for the promise of a better life in the United States. Growing up on the streets of Newark, Garcia had to deal with a neighborhood of toughs. He became aware of his acting talents when a bully intended to mug him and steal his bicycle. But when the six year old broke into crocodile tears, he so disheartened his assailant that he allowed Garcia to leave unharmed and with his bike. "It was then I knew I could act," Garcia declares.

Determined to be an actor, Garcia migrated to Hollywood and moved into a friend's basement. He made it livable by dry walling it and adding a portable toilet and a bed. Garcia's first break came when he auditioned for the TV show "Fame" and got the part. He then landed a role in Wes Craven's NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET in which he appeared opposite Johnny Depp. This was followed by an appearance in Universal's GOTCHA opposite Anthony Edwards and Linda Fiorentino, and then in quick succession in features such as THE COTTON CLUB, WILDCATS, VAMPIRES IN BROOKLYN, CANDYMAN III: DAY OF THE DEAD, PREDATOR 2 and Oscar-winning TRAFFIC, where he played Benjamin Bratt's brother.


In 2002, Garcia had two co-starring roles: that of Mel Gibson's heroic buddy in Randall Wallace's WE WERE SOLDIERS and a villainous Communist guerilla who battles good guy Arnold Schwarzenegger in Andrew Davis's COLLATERAL DAMAGE.

In addition to numerous television stints on shows like "JAG," "Arli$$" and "Murder One," Garcia just finished playing the hot, sexy male lead in the ABC/ Touchstone Pilot "Then Came Jones" for Brancato/Selke the creative team behind "Boomtown. " Garcia also starred in Carsey/Warner's "These Guys" a comedy pilot for ABC.

Theater has also played a decisive part in Garcia's career. He received the L.A. Dramalogue's Award for Best Acting Achievement in the Fig Tree Theatre's version of Short Eyes. His other notable stage performances include roles in Rainmaker and A Midsummer Night's Dream.

In 1998, he partnered up with John-Roger to create Scott J-R Productions and they wrote, directed and produced a short film titled MY LITTLE HAVANA based on the true story of a period in Garcia's life when he fell in love with the daughter of a Mafia chief in Miami. The film was selected for screening at the South Beach Film Festival and the Cuban Film Festival.

Most recently, Garcia finished a major supporting role in the UNTITLED JOHN HAMBURG project opposite Ben Stiller, Jennifer Aniston and Philip Seymour Hoffman for Jersey Films and Universal. He is also becoming an indie sweetheart due to the feature film KLEPTO which will be screening at the 2003 Los Angeles Latino Film Festival and San Jose Film Festival. KLEPTO recently played at the 2003 CineVegas International Film Festival to sold out audiences.

When not filming, Garcia enjoys golfing, horseback riding and indulging his true delight - watching movies. One of the most important aspects of Garcia's life is his dedication to Peace Theological Seminary College of Philosophy, for which he and and his friend, author John-Roger, have traveled throughout the world each year for the past nine years in an effort to bring peace to troubled areas such as Egypt and Israel. Garcia also devotes much of his free time to the Heartfelt Foundation, a charitable organization which feeds poor inner city families.