Danny Trejo’s Journey from Prison to Paying It Forward | Wide Open with Tony Gonzalez

Danny Trejo almost didn’t make it. The heavily tattooed, Los Angeles-bred actor and entrepreneur was addicted to drugs and in and out of prison for a decade before turning his life around and appearing in huge films like Machete and Heat -- plus nearly 300 others throughout his prolific career. Danny came on Wide Open the podcast in his classic no-filter style to tell us about his wild journey, dropping all sorts of knowledge along the way.
Follow me on social:
Instagram: / tonygonzalez88
Twitter: / tonygonzalez88
Facebook: / tonygonzalez88
LinkedIn: / tonygonzalez88
TikTok: / tonygonzalez_88
Text me: [phone]

[@Bill_Woo]

He's one hundred times more admirable and inspiring for his honest *humility.* He doesn't claim to be special or better. He's just grateful. And his genuineness - not an act. And his awesome enthusiasm and expressiveness. His humble warm respect for Charles Bronson, and others, makes perfect sense. A role model in so many regards.

[@julespilapilacosta2763]

Danny is for real. Love this man.

[@risingwarrior9937]

Saw Danny 11/20/19 driving next to me in the Valley. Said what's up & he acknowledged me. A few years ago I ran into him for the 1st time, I had to get a picture. I got it. He's a really humble guy. Great interview.

[@dirkbalter5986]

Thank u mr Trejo we need more people like u in this world !

[@meeow2165]

Always liked Danny, but didn't know about his troubles. I like him even more after this interview! My brother-in-law met him once in an airport and said he was really very nice!

[@relaxado5459]

I love Danny Trejo's movies!

[@darrellmccall6100]

Tony, did a tremendous job managing this interview. Not easy to do....managing the time, keeping things going, and allowing Danny to express himself especially with him having a colorful and non-conventional background. Salute. Just subscribed .

[@conradconradwells3485]

I like when they started to to talk about how prison can teach you the mind set of one day at a time and stay in the present. That's key for me in my sobriety. Thank you Danny Trejo and Tony Gonzalez for the incredible interview

[@margaretrosin7853]

Funny AF!! He should write a screenplay of his life and experiences, exactly how he tells them in his vernacular. Love him!!

[@reirei7851]

Yes! That would be amazing. And leave Hollyweird out of it.

[@TheKeishana]

Machete my man,love his movies

[@Searccch]

I work online and listening to these is so relaxing, love these man, so easy to stay focused! keep them up!

[@St3phenking13]

What do you do online fam? I'm interested in working at home as well. I just want a legit job no scams.

[@Searccch]

Humbled By Yah hey brotha, I do online marketing, it’s not easy, I recommended doing research for yourself, and avoid relying on individual people like me for info! My Instagram is ojohnnyyyy

[@33Treez]

59:20 @Disney Put this man in The Mandalorian!!

[@JGThePresent]

Never forget meeting him. I was shocked how short he was, but his wisdom and insight was large as I expected. It was like 2am and he was still open to sit and chat with me. Dope G. And I won't repeat a lot of what we talked about, because we got codes we obey. Danny a certified G FOR REAL.

[@bonnywelsh4302]

Thank you Toni! Best most honest podcast. His story was so honest and you were so kind.

[@kingeleven3820]

Its incredible how prison ogs and war vet almost have perfect memory

[@Diamond-le5bk]

Great Episode

[@WillKelly2020]

Great interview. Really love the whole vibe of this show. Danny's the man. Really enjoyed this, thank you 🙏👌

[@christophermendez4044]

Great podcast Tony!!!

[@shays.9808]

What an amazing interview, so inspiring. Thank you 🙏🏽

[@topranked5465]

This guy is such good conversationalist

[@jasonlopez2949]

His graciousness I’ve never seen anything like that ever! His honesty and not afraid to be who he is! His dedication to lord is amazing! Thanks Tony Gonzalez for doing that interview. Danny Trejo your an amazing person thank you 🙏 May god bless you...

[@rondamarshall3858]

Love Love Love Danny!! God bless him and you Tony!! Great interview!!

[@AlinaAlineta]

“The better you are, the more good shits happens to you”, - Danny Trejo. Amen.

[@robr1656]

Danny T. is one hell of an inspiration. This is one of the best interviews I've seen of him. Thanks for posting this.

[@Sulu-sw3zo]

Man, this dude is as straight of a shooter as they come. Says it how he sees it. What a man. Great listening to Danny Trejo, all the best from New Zealand.

[@Julian-zy1em]

Why this hasn't gone viral is beyond me.... thank you Danny!!...and God speed!!

[@jefferyschnurr9678]

Awesome interview!!

[@janski1982]

Incredible interview 💯💯💯

[@shannonm.ehnert1701]

Very good interview!! I love his movies, and just listening to him , so down to earth!!

[@Margarita-py4xq]

Great interview 👍🏽

[@bonnywelsh4302]

I love Danny Trejos💕💕💕

[@rolandlundall133]

I love your intro music. Classy podcast.

[@johnjrambo1st29]

Awesome interview.

[@evaristogomez3392]

Best interview ever

[@Siouxpreme1979]

Wow Tony does a good job on this Interview!! I subbed!! This was 3 years ago! I don't know why he doesn't have like 300k subs?

[@johnnymaximum3828]

"ill be seeing you homes. youre on channel 11" this fool lolool love that man

[@canaryinthecoalmine1]

God bless you Danny!! Tony: great podcast!! -TM in Kansas City

[@Unitonika]

Hey Tony! It was nice meeting you a few years ago! #KC 💝🌹🦄

[@Supastackman]

Tony the lo key racist and Lamar Jackson hater smh.

[@Unitonika]

@@Supastackman?

[@Julian-zy1em]

If I walk away from this interview with any message is this.. do good no matter what. Pass it on to our children!

[@briannaquiroz1011]

funny, his vibe is like my family. so LA lol

[@christianpena786]

Big facts If you know you know

[@rudycanales4524]

Powerful message.

[@vquez1212]

Thx Danny for your help

[@ericjeter2223]

Mr. Trejo is grounded, stay Blessed my Brother.

[@Bill_Woo]

Danny Trejo. **Unscripted.** From a one-hour-plus extremely passionate and entirely unscripted interview with motivational speaker and Hall of Fame athlete Tony Gonzalez. This begins at 50:16 during that interview: "Everywhere I go I have tunnel vision. I wake up in the morning, I say my prayers. 'Dear heavenly Father. Let me sign every autograph, let me take every picture. Dear heaven Father, let me help 3 people today, at least 3 people'. " "I do that because that's my *job.* My mom said, 'You know, you think God made you actor because, "ooh, you're 'ooh' ??" He made you an actor to sign every autograph, take every picture, and say God Bless You, to *everybody.* And they're listening when you say God Bless You, because God put you in this position." "I owe. I ain't paid up yet...I ain't paid up, Holmes!" "God's got a plan for all of us."

[@Bill_Woo]

I think there's a teaser/preview clip in there for you, Tony - sans profanity. Consider adding profanity to front screen disclaimers.

[@DJxSGGxNeo]

I knew he was going to say Red River, it's a masterpiece! One of my favorites too.

[@Luluna13]

Awesome…most humblest man everrr🙏🏽🤍🙏🏽

[@marcusizayah]

It’s so cool how Danny Trejo is wearing an Element hat lol

[@tracegrubbs7125]

"Ese la Honda don't shine shoes "!! love trejo

[@FlexWheeler2nd]

Danny Trejo is the youngest almost-80 guy around. He talks and acts much younger and has a whole lot of life in him. I hope he’s around for a long time to come, because he has a lot of wisdom to instill to the kids.

[@Loise_Lois_Lui]

Chef restauranteur Wolfgang puck, that puck guy LoL

[@bigchief3917]

🤘😤🤘 My two favorite "Jefe's" 👍

[@jaimeesparza8426]

god bless you danny and tony too AMEN

[@jessicab4241]

True true true never change Danny! ❤

[@thunderlightning142]

If people never grew up in that lifestyle and come where Danny Trejo came from then they'll never understand what he's talking about.

[@bmeerfeld]

Trejo's complete class.

[@daezjn]

amazing life

[@randyperfecto7468]

Danny is a true Chicano awesome Tony continued success and happiness sir

[@maryfa4254]

WOW, Danny needs to make a documentary of your life

[@Zgarnet777]

💝 Love You Danny Trejo 💝 You're a Very Good Man 🎼 Best Wishes 🎼🍀 from Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA 🇺🇲🌶️🌼☮️🎄Merry Christmas 2022⛄

[@joseflores857]

Tony! I wish you would have won a superbowl! I am a big fan of you! God bless!

[@simonecook7582]

How is he nearly 80. Love you❤

[@jboogieee337]

The real deal!! Legend and all around good guy Danny is!

[@stephenmartinez5296]

No give me that money I went like that 11:15

[@TechOutAdam]

So, Danny was playing himself in Blood In, Blood Out. Makes sense.

[@JETKushingTON]

Nice

[@juancampoy4722]

Danny Trejo what a great Guy!!!!!!

[@kenworthh9776]

Uncle Gilbert sounds a lot my Uncle Kenny ✌

[@davideselvi3906]

51:45; 52:52 😂😂

[@stephenmartinez5296]

Hall of famer, damn 0:10

[@TheRISINGSTAR35]

🙌

[@stephenmartinez5296]

Hey, that's how tall I am in the movies 0:15

[@hustlebufalino9170]

Uncle Gilbert!!!!!!

[@angelchavez458]

That guy was James Cagney do you remember you were at a drug condenser center of ceaser Chavez next to the fire dept you mixed at me I nodded back I went to the pen right after that thank you for the respect

[@Alanguitar87]

Bad ass story

[@luisperez7420]

Pay attention all you fake gangster, this is what a real gangster looks like

[@hustlebufalino9170]

you dont need note cards when Trejos talking

[@stephenmartinez5296]

59:17

[@stephenmartinez5296]

59:47

[@stephenmartinez5296]

40:35

[@stephenmartinez5296]

40:05

[@stephenmartinez5296]

Never forget her words 29:53

[@stephenmartinez5296]

1:00:19

[@stephenmartinez5296]

He goes 41:38

[@IMSOHIGH619]

Dam

[@stephenmartinez5296]

1:00:10

[@stephenmartinez5296]

When I got to the big 12:14

[@stephenmartinez5296]

I'm trying to think what stupid gang sign is that 41:43

[@babimartins2733]

MEU ATOR PREFERIDO💋💯✨💞👍👋✨

[@Therookiee_89]

If you’ve seen the Vlad tv interview, this interview is kinda awkward. Tony with “ahuh” the wholeee interview......

[@koolkev75]

Danny said authorhitist 👀💩🤣🤣😂😂🤣👍🥃🥃👍😆😆😄

[@alimuhammed885]

Everyones goes through this???? Huh is this interviewer joking

[@ILacy]

Great story about murderers being polite!

[@cheylou1]

Um

[@isabelpereira871]

I, sow Danny trejo today. I, wasn't recognize Him after he left I, ask to sanone these a. actor he say yes

[@santi7470]

NO ONE better than Trejo. !!

[@chairlesnicol672]

Thermal underwear in southern California, what next! Should live where I do! You dont need a .22 to kill a mosquito, but a.357 cal helps! LoL Nice interview, a little sketchy about stuss he did when gounger! Similar to listening as Mike Tyson laughing sbout his violent youth when 14 , doing robbery heists n criminal acts! Kinna hard to minimize their original history, but certainly interesting, thats for sure! Id like to see a vlog about Jenifer Lopez, J-Low! She's pretty, wag better than Kardashian doncha think!

[@stephenmartinez5296]

But now you're doing 1:09

[@umm..424]

His cartoon: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpimcpd7rauAhrs

[@Cincinnatus1869]

some people should not try to interview others. At least try to act like you are comprehending what your guest says. This guy is thinking about his next question instead of listening to his guest.

[@stephenmartinez5296]

I followed his finger 24:01

[@marktheshark1940]

Danny always got the best stories. Tony your not the best interviewer you don't acknowledge what danny would talk about and skip to the next question