Jesse Santoyo is a Mexican American film director, actor, screenwriter, and singer-songwriter. He was born and raised in Pilsen, a predominantly Latino neighborhood of Chicago. His love for movies began from a very young age. From starring in local and school theater productions, to working on set as an extra for multiple major feature films. Growing up he thought it would be impossible to work in TV and Film since there was very little Latino representation in American productions. So, he went on to study Communications and TV production at Columbia College Chicago and launched his career in News production. After just a few years though, he realized that wasn’t the path he was meant to go down.
In 2009, he packed up and moved his life and family to Nashville, Tennessee in hopes of connecting with the songwriting world. A few months after being in Nashville, his savings dwindled and he wasn’t able to find work. At one point he called his father to tell him he couldn’t even buy milk and diapers for his kids. His Father told him “you are exactly where you need to be.” Soon things would turn around. Not too long after, Jesse got word that a local boutique talent agency was looking for Latino actors. Jesse snapped his own photo with an old camera he had at home and submitted himself to the agency. He was signed on the spot and thus his acting career began. Since then Jesse has gone on to act in multiple Commercials, Feature Films and TV shows, including “Cobra Kai”, “Dynasty”, and more recently, “A Nashville Country Christmas” starring alongside country music star, Tanya Tucker.
Since 2016, Jesse has been writing, directing and producing independent films and projects under the umbrella of his own production company, Logan Beach Productions. In that time he’s continued to write songs for what will be his 2024 Album release.