Wilson Cruz is having a big year. He stars as Dr. Hugh Culber in the CBS All Access series, STAR TREK: DISCOVERY, as part of the first gay couple in television’s Star Trek universe opposite Anthony Rapp as his partner. In addition to STAR TREK, Cruz will also be returning to the highly acclaimed new Netflix series, THIRTEEN REASONS WHY, in a critical arc around the aftermath of the death of Hannah Baker, playing the Baker’s attorney, ‘Dennis Vasquez’. Season 2 is currently filming and will be out in 2018. He is also starring in Alan Cummings drama feature, AFTER LOUIE.

A first-generation American of Puerto Rican descent, Wilson has always been a trailblazer, even in his youth, winning the hearts of audiences playing the character of ‘Rickie Vasquez’ on MY SO-CALLED LIFE. When he got the script from his agent, his agent said “Read this. I think you can relate.” And that was it. He was determined to win the role. Not only did he win the role, Wilson’s critically acclaimed performance became a cornerstone for years to come, exemplify-ing true courage and strength playing the first openly gay teenager to air on network primetime television and living out his own personal journey with it as well. The show won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding TV Drama with Wilson being honored with the Emery S. Hetrick Award from the Hetrick-Martin Institute for Outstanding Contribu-tions to LGBTQ Youth.

In the line of memorable and poignant characters on television, he also played one of TV’s first transgender characters in an Emmy nominated episode of ALLY MCBEAL. Wilson recurred as ‘Kenji Gomez-Rejon’ on FOX television’s ensem-ble drama, THE RED BAND SOCIETY, starring Oscar winner, Octavia Spencer. He also had series regular roles on PARTY OF FIVE, where he took home the ALMA Award for Outstanding Emerging Actor, RICK AND STEVE, THE HAPPIEST GAY COUPLE IN THE WORLD. He has also recurred on SHAMELESS, THE WEST WING, NOAH’S ARC, PUSHING DAISIES, THE CLOSER, NCIS, AMERICAN DAD, RELATED MONK, and ER.

Wilson’s career has equally translated to success on the big screen in both studio and independent films. His film cred-its include, HE’S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU, SUPERNOVA, NIXON, THE PEOPLE I’VE SLEPT WITH, PARTY MONSTER, COF-FEE DATE, JOHNS, ALL OVER ME, and METH HEAD.

Wilson’s theatre accolades include his portrayal of the critically acclaimed role ‘Angel’ on Broadway and in the West Coast Premiere of the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning musical, RENT. His portrayal earned him The Los Angeles Ovation Award and Dramalogue Award. He also starred in Tick, Tick, BOOM! at the Westport Country Playhouse, West Coast Premiere, and its First National Tour.

On the frontlines of LGBT advocacy, Wilson Cruz took a 2-year break from acting to serve in a leadership position as the Director of Entertainment Industry Partnerships and as National Spokesperson for GLAAD, the nation’s leading LGBT media advocacy organization. For his activism, he has thus far received: the Rand Schrader Distinguished Achievement Award from the Los Angeles LGBTQ Center, the Liberty Award from Lambda Legal, the Visibilidad Award from GLAAD, the Fusion Achievement Award from Outfest, the Latino Spirit Award for Achievement in Entertainment and Advocacy from the California Latino Legislative Caucus, the Harvey Milk Equality Award, the Lincoln Aston Public Service Award, Aston-Brooks Award, and the Advocate Award from AdColor.

He is also executive producing the upcoming docuseries, OUT OF THE BOX: HOW AMERICA CAME OUT ON TV, along-side David Permut and David Bender.

Wilson lives in Los Angeles.