Mauricio Mendoza was born in Davis, California to a Colombian mother from Pasto and a father from Bogota. After his birth, his parents returned to Bogota and later to Cartagena for a few years.
At the age of 12, his family relocated to Davis, CA. His mother encouraged his brothers and him to perform, inspiring Mauricio to pursue acting. He was particularly inspired by actor Raúl Juliá's versatility and strength as a Shakespearean actor. Juliá's career motivated Mauricio to pursue a Master's in Classical Theater.
Mauricio earned his Bachelor's in Musical Theater from the United States International University and his Master's from the University of San Diego and Old Globe Professional Actor Training Program in Classical Theater. His mentors, William Virchis and Richard M. Brunelle, pushed him to believe in himself and achieve his dreams.
Mauricio moved to Los Angeles in 1994, where his bilingualism and versatility allowed him to work constantly in various mediums. He was part of four groundbreaking Latino-based television shows, including series regular roles in Angeles and Resurrection Blvd.
Mauricio's recent roles include work in La Quinceañera, East Los High, Hacienda Heights, Criminal Minds, The Last Man On Earth, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Larceny with Dolph Lundren, Crave-The Fast Life, Blow, and True Form Film's The Internationals, which he also produced.
He hopes to work with directors Alejandro G. Iñarritú, Steven Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino, and Robert Rodríguez, and with actors Al Pacino, Denzel Washington, Antonio Banderas, Javier Bardem, Hugh Jackman, Robert De Niro, and John Travolta.
In 2007, Mauricio became interested in producing and became the executive producer and producer of the Imagen Award-winning web series Encounters. He has also produced films, music videos, shorts, and web series, including After School, Fighting Chance, SinVergüenzas, The Shifting, and Intolerance.
Mauricio is part owner of True Form Films, a production company he runs with his wife Yeniffer Behrens and DeWayne Cox. His goal is to build True Form Films into a self-sufficient production company that can produce content year-round.
In addition to film, Mauricio has over 50 theater credits, including a successful run of Karen Zacarías' Destiny of Desire. His notable theater performances include playing Bernardo in West Side Story, El Gallo in the Fantasticks, Guido in Nine, Juan Julián in Anna In The Tropics, Kevin Rosario in In The Heights, Cinderella's Prince in Into The Woods, Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, Ernesto Del Río in Destiny of Desire, and Magaldi in Evita.
Mauricio's charitable work includes fundraising and visits to Casa Hogar, an orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico. On his spare time, he works on producing material that will make a difference in the world, becoming a game changer, and being a great father and husband.
