Modesto Lacen is a multi-talented Latin actor with a Puerto Rican heritage. He works in film, television, and theatre in Puerto Rico, the United States, and Colombia.
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You may have seen him on the excellent Colombian telenovelas Celia and White Slave, and the award-winning Off-Broadway musical DC-7: The life of Roberto Clemente.
In Celia, a docu-drama about Cuban Queen of Salsa Celia Cruz, Lacen plays young Pedro Knight, the man who became her husband. Lacen actually originated that role in the hit Off-Broadway musical Celia; The life and music of Celia Cruz. It looks like he had lot of fun making the show. As a young man Pedro Knight was quite a character. The music is great too.
In White Slave (La Esclava Blanca) Lacen played Tomás, the father of the lead character Victoria. It’s an interesting series because it gives the Black point of view of slave life in early 1800s Colombia. Colombians talk about horrors of slavery in ways that we don’t in the United States. La Esclava Blanca is something of a Colombian Roots.
If you haven’t seen these series, you may find them on Netflix.
Lacen was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico on December 20, 1976. He is now expanding into writing and directing.
Modesto Lacen has a Commitment to Education
Lacen is a fine actor who works a lot and has been acting for over 23 years. He is great actor, but more importantly he is a smart guy.
Lacen graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Puerto Rico. He speaks fluent Spanish, English, French, and Portuguese.
Lacen trained at New York’s Public Theater and Circle in the Square. He earned a Certificate in Arts Administration from New York University’s School of Continuing Studies.
Modesto Lacen at the National Puerto Rican Day Parade 2017
Lacen is a 2017 Parade Ambassador. We spoke with him at the parade gala.
Why is it an honor to be part of the parade?
A lot of reasons. I think Puerto Rico is in a very critical moment. Every now and then when we get to celebrate the positive things that are happening in our country, I have to be there.
I’m very happy to be one of the ambassadors of the Puerto Rican Day Parade. Also as a Black Puerto Rican it’s also important to show our diversity, that Puerto Ricans come in different sizes, shapes, and definitely colors. I’m very proud to be one of them at this year’s parade.
What is the best thing about being Puerto Rican?
“A lot of things. We have a great mix of things. We are a small country, but our hearts, our passion, and our dreams are way bigger. I think today in music, in sports, even science Puerto Ricans are a step ahead. We are a great mix of a lot of things. We are celebrating all of that.”
If you see that Modesto Lacen is in a show, check it out. He is an impressive actor.
[Editor’s Note: I learned to speak Spanish with a Caribbean accent by copying Lacen’s accent in the telenovela Celia.]