Guatemalan Actor Oscar Issac Emerges in Hollywood

Oscar Issac is quickly emerging as one of the most in-demand actors in the film industry.

Born to a Guatemalan mother and Cuban father, Issac was raised in Miami, Fla., where he played guitar and sang in a band. The actor then went to Julliard where he graduated in 2005. Shortly after, he was cast in Catherine Hardwicke's "The Nativity Story" alongside Keisha Castle-Hughes. Not long after, he was cast in "All About Benjamin" and in Steven Soderbergh's "Che."

In 2009, he starred in "Balibo" where he was awarded the Best Supporting Actor from the Australian Film Institute. The following year, he was cast in Ridley Scott's "Robin Hood," which also starred Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett.

His breakout came in 2011 when he starred in "Drive" alongside Carey Mulligan and Ryan Gosling, as well as in Madonna's "W.E." He also appeared in "10 years" and Zack Snyder's "Sucker Punch."

Issac's track record recently led him to star in "The Bourne Legacy," "Won't Back Down" and "For Greater Glory." This fall, the actor will star in three highly anticipated films, which should further heighten his status in the industry. His first film, "Therese," received great reviews out of the Toronto Film Festival, while "The Two Faces of January" will launch in 2014.

However, the film for which he is receiving significant buzz is Joel and Ethan Coen's "Inside Llewyn Davis." Ever since the film premiered at Cannes, Issac has been mentioned as an Oscar contender and is likely to get a number of critics awards this season.

Aside from his work in film, Issac has also appeared in theater and TV. He has starred on "Law and Order" and in the Shakespeare in the Parks festival where he played Romeo in "Romeo and Juliet."

With a growing resume, the actor is receiving more offers than ever and is currently attached to star in five films. He will appear in "Ex Machina," "Inertia," "Mojave," "The Ballad of Pablo Escobar" and "Memorial Day."