He plays almost identical characters in End of Watch & The Martian and similar character/humor in many other characters he's played lately. While I feel like part of it is typecasting his Latino comedic relief, I think he's really just playing himself in all these roles and we see his natural humor
shareYes, type casted, he's your obligatory token Mexican, plays the same role in film after film....And as you say, he's just playing himself, so its hardly acting.
shareHahaha when you land roles in in 2 genres that are polar opposites(Drama & Comedy) its hard to be typecast. But in his comedies he always plays the same character.
shareHe's awesome in WTC. I don't feel it's his typical role.
shareI notice that with 99% of brown skinned Latino men in general. If they have a leading role or at least an important role it's a given that they play second fiddle to a cooler White guy who is the lead.
I see it too in other settings too, not just Latinos. Notice in the new Hawaii 5-0 that the white leads are still in charge while the Asian and Polynesian are just background window dressing.
Fact is, if Michael was lighter complected with green eyes (ie - James Roday aka Rodriguez) we wouldn't be making these obsservations.