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IMDbPro

Born in East L.A.

  • 1987
  • 16
  • 1h 25m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
6.6K
YOUR RATING
Born in East L.A. (1987)
Trailer 1
Play trailer1:32
2 Videos
86 Photos
Comedy

When an L.A. born American citizen is mistaken for a Mexican illegal alien and deported to Mexico, he has to do everything he can to get across the border.When an L.A. born American citizen is mistaken for a Mexican illegal alien and deported to Mexico, he has to do everything he can to get across the border.When an L.A. born American citizen is mistaken for a Mexican illegal alien and deported to Mexico, he has to do everything he can to get across the border.

  • Director
    • Cheech Marin
  • Writer
    • Cheech Marin
  • Stars
    • Cheech Marin
    • Daniel Stern
    • Paul Rodriguez
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.0/10
    6.6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Cheech Marin
    • Writer
      • Cheech Marin
    • Stars
      • Cheech Marin
      • Daniel Stern
      • Paul Rodriguez
    • 39User reviews
    • 12Critic reviews
    • 57Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins

    Videos2

    Born in East L.A.
    Trailer 1:32
    Watch Born in East L.A.
    Born in East L.A.
    Clip 2:47
    Watch Born in East L.A.

    Photos86

    Born in East L.A. (1987)
    Born in East L.A. (1987)
    Born in East L.A. (1987)
    Born in East L.A. (1987)
    Born in East L.A. (1987)
    Born in East L.A. (1987)
    Born in East L.A. (1987)
    Born in East L.A. (1987)
    Born in East L.A. (1987)
    Born in East L.A. (1987)
    Born in East L.A. (1987)
    Born in East L.A. (1987)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Cheech Marin
    Cheech Marin
    • Rudy
    Daniel Stern
    Daniel Stern
    • Jimmy
    Paul Rodriguez
    Paul Rodriguez
    • Javier
    Kamala Lopez
    Kamala Lopez
    • Dolores
    Jan-Michael Vincent
    Jan-Michael Vincent
    • McCalister
    • (as Jan Michael Vincent)
    Lupe Ontiveros
    Lupe Ontiveros
    • Rudy's Mother
    Urbanie Lucero
    • Rudy's Sister
    Chastity Ayala
    • Rudy's Niece
    David Perez
    • Rudy's Nephew
    Neith Hunter
    Neith Hunter
    • Marcie
    Larry Blackmon
    • Slick Dude
    Tito Larriva
    Tito Larriva
    • Oscar
    Geoffrey Rivas
    Geoffrey Rivas
    • Immigration Aide
    • (as Geoff Rivas)
    Eddie Barth
    Eddie Barth
    • Lester
    Miguel Delgado
    • Jose
    David Yanez
    • Altar Boy
    Bret Chafe
    • Immigration Man
    McKeiver Jones III
    • Immigration Man
    • Director
      • Cheech Marin
    • Writer
      • Cheech Marin
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Contrary to popular belief, the picture of Jesus Christ in Rudy's house is not Tommy Chong. Chong turned down an offer to cameo in the film.
    • Goofs
      When Rudy is working as a tattoo artist, four "bullet hole" tattoos suddenly appear on his client's forehead near the end of the scene.
    • Quotes

      Rudy: If you want to be cool, first you pull your headband into the cool position. then you just lean back, put this hand in your pocket and then you wave this hand behind you like you just cut one and your trying to shoo away the stinch.

    • Alternate versions
      The television broadcast version adds at least 15 to 20 minutes of footage. In this footage, Rudy does make it across the border only to be captured by kidnappers with his friends. He is held for ransom in the house across the street from his home and is rescued by the border patrol. When he hears that Dolores will have to be sent back across the border, he marries her and makes her a citizen. That's why the priest is behind them in the last shot of the TV versions.
    • Connections
      Featured in Demented Top 20 Video Countdown (1988)
    • Soundtracks
      Born in East L.A.
      Words by Cheech Marin

      Music by Bruce Springsteen

      Published by Bruce Springsteen (ASCAP)

      Performed by Cheech & Chong

      Cheech & Chong appear courtesy of MCA Records

    User reviews39

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    Being in the wrong place, at the wrong time.
    Cheech Marin is a great talent. In his film, "Born in East L.A.", he clearly shows a man that has a good understanding about the issues at the heart of this entertaining movie. For some years now he has been by himself as his partnership with Tommy Chong ended.

    Mr. Marin makes an important point in the film. Rudy, his main character, is a man born and raised in East L.A., as the title indicates, yet, he is deported to a country he probably has never been to. His roots are American, yet being in the wrong place, at the wrong time, trying to do a favor to his cousin, he is hauled to a detention center for illegal aliens and deported to Mexico.

    Of course, the arrest and his deportation serves as the basis of a clever comedy that is easy on the eyes and have us laughing throughout the many funny situations Mr. Marin has created for himself and his crew. Daniel Stern is good as Jimmy, the man that exploits Rudy. Paul Rodriguez has some good moments as the newly arrived guy that keeps thinking the messages he hears in Rudy's answering service come from the Jesus image behind it. The lovely Kamala Lopez is easy on one's eyes, and the great Lupe Ontiveros plays Rudy's mom.

    "Born in East L.A." is a funny movie with a message.
    helpful•20
    2
    • jotix100
    • Dec 22, 2005

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    FAQ19

    • How long is Born in East L.A.?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 21, 1987 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Mexico
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Nacido al este de Los Ángeles
    • Filming locations
      • Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Clear Type
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $17,355,263
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,359,040
      • Aug 23, 1987
    • Gross worldwide
      • $17,355,263
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 25 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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