Michael Peña was born in Chicago on January 13, 1976. His parents are both originally from Mexico. He attended Hubbard High School in West Lawn. After high school, he got his first acting role after auditioning at an open casting call for To Sir, with Love II.

Peña has appeared in four movies that were nominated for the Best Picture Academy Award: Million Dollar Baby, Crash, Babel and American Hustle. Two of the four won the award.

He was once quoted saying, “I'm just an actor. If it's drama, I add as much humor as the part will stand. And if it's a comedy, add as much drama as you can, so it balances out; you don't wanna be too serious.”