David Zayas (born August 15, 1962) is a Puerto Rican actor known for his commanding screen presence and roles that draw on his real-life experience in law enforcement. He is best recognized for playing Detective Angel Batista on Showtime’s Dexter and the formidable prison gang leader Enrique Morales on HBO’s Oz.
Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and raised in the Bronx, New York, Zayas joined the U.S. Air Force at 19 and went on to serve nearly 15 years as a New York City police officer. His time in law enforcement informed his authentic portrayals of police and criminal characters across film and television.
A longtime member of the LAByrinth Theater Company, Zayas began his acting journey on stage before transitioning to screen. His versatile television work includes appearances on New York Undercover, NYPD Blue, Person of Interest, and FBI, where he portrayed both law enforcers and criminals. On the big screen, Zayas has appeared in films such as 16 Blocks (2006), Michael Clayton (2007), The Expendables (2010), and Skyline (2010). He also portrayed Detective Esteban Flores in the Lifetime movie Jodi Arias: Dirty Little Secret (2013).
Married to fellow actor and LAByrinth member Liza Colón-Zayas, David Zayas is celebrated for his depth, gravitas, and dedication to his craft.
