Edgar Ivan Garcia, former student and recurring character on ABC’s new television show “American Crime.” Courtesy
Edgar Ivan Garcia encourages students to broaden horizons.
By Matthew Reyna
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Edgar Ivan Garcia, a graduate of this college and former reporter for The Ranger, is a recurring character on ABC’s new television show “American Crime.”
Garcia, 26, who is also a dancer and video editor, plays Carlos Sanchez on the TV show that debuted March 5. Its premiere attracted 8.4 million viewers, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The show has a star-studded cast and crew including creator/director John Ridley, who won an Academy Award for his screenplay of “12 Years a Slave,” and lead actress Felicity Huffman, who won an Emmy for her role in “Desperate Housewives.”
Garcia said he was overwhelmed to see himself on television.
“Seeing me, Edgar Ivan Garcia from McCollum High School, from San Antonio College, working on a TV show with all these talented people — it was like a dream come true,” Garcia said.
Garcia, a cashier at H-E-B, described the role as “something that was meant to be.”
The show held auditions last year in Austin. He missed the original audition Feb. 24, 2014, because of a work obligation, but then his agent told him the casting department wanted him to try out for a part March 17, 2014.
“I drove to Austin and gave it my best shot,” Garcia said. The casting department liked Garcia and decided to give him the role.
The show is filmed in Austin and San Marcos.
“He had a very real look, like a kid you know from the neighborhood,” said Beth Sepko, the local casting director for the show. “He looked very authentic and acted the same way.”
Sepko, who runs the Beth Sepko Casting Agency in Austin and served as casting director of the movie “Boyhood,” said she hopes Garcia will continue auditioning for TV and movie roles.
Garcia’s character appears in Episodes 1, 3, 6, 10 and 11.
“Carlos is a character that’s in and out of the show, and I’m thankful to God for that,” said Garcia, who plays the boyfriend of a possible killer’s sister.
Garcia said he filmed behind-the-scenes videos while the show was shooting. He later edited them and posted the videos to his YouTube channel (Edgar Ivan).
The YouTube videos are part of his frequent use of social networks to connect with fans.
He also shares the videos and pictures from behind the scenes on his Facebook page that currently has 1,427 likes.
“I want people to see that I’m just a normal guy from the South Side doing this,” Garcia said.
Garcia stressed he was once in the same position as many students here.
“It is important for students to broaden their horizons,” Garcia said, noting that he has multiple passions: acting, dancing and video editing.
“The more knowledge you have, the more you can build,” he said. “I dare all students to (achieve) their goals.”
