Legendary tough guy actor Danny Trejo recently surprised his fans when he revealed photos of a customized Harley-Davidson motorcycle coated with pictures of himself and his celebrity friends. The unique chopper bike has quickly become his preferred method of transportation around Los Angeles.
Trejo’s rise from ex-convict to successful Hollywood actor has been widely chronicled. Though he regularly plays intimidating villains on screen, the 78-year-old is known to be warm and charming in real life. However, his customized Harley shows he still has an edgy side.
The bike’s unique look matches Trejo’s iconic personal style. Its glossy black frame and engine coordinate perfectly with the leather jacket and black t-shirt uniform he’s seldom seen without. But it’s the collage of photos affixed to every visible surface that really makes this chopper one-of-a-kind.
Most prominent are the large 8×10 prints of a smiling Trejo with his arm around various buddies. These appear to be candid shots taken on sets or at parties over his long career. Among the most recognizable faces are Robert De Niro, George Clooney, and Vincent Gallo.
More unexpected are images of Trejo enjoying time with figures not normally associated with the rough-and-tumble film industry. For instance, there is a shot of him sharing a laugh with celebrity chef Guy Fieri. Another shows Danny and Pope Francis in a warm embrace.
Some photos capture Trejo’s friendships with Latino entertainment icons. He is pictured chatting with comedian Cheech Marin and actor/director Roberto Rodriguez, both of whom he collaborated with on numerous films. There is also a wonderful classic shot of Danny with the late singer Vicente Fernandez, who was a close personal friend.
While most of the people shown are celebrities, a few sentimental photos depict young relatives. One shows Trejo smiling proudly next to his actor son Gilbert. Another has Danny as a little boy posing with his grandmother. These offer a glimpse into his private life beyond the Hollywood hustle.
Though Trejo loves riding his decorated bike around LA, he also takes it to promote his various business ventures and philanthropic work. He occasionally rides it to events for Trejo’s Tacos, his fast-casual Mexican restaurant chain. Fans line up to pose for pics with Danny and the chopper to share on social media.
He also uses the distinctive Harley to draw attention to causes important to him. Trejo regularly participates in motorcycle charity rides to raise money for domestic violence shelters, recovery programs, and kids in need. His decorated bike never fails to attract interest in these events.
The bike depicts Danny’s amazing rags-to-riches journey via its collage of photos. He spent much of his youth in and out of prison before breaking out as an actor. Now he is one of the most successful Mexican-American actors ever, yet still retains an outlaw image.
This larger-than-life persona fills movie screens in films like Heat, Machete, and Dusk Till Dawn. However, the pictures on Danny’s Harley show his private side. They reveal a generous man who forges deep friendships and remains grounded by family.
The bike offers fans a unique glimpse into the two-wheeled world of Danny Trejo. He could easily afford a garage of rare vintage motorcycles if he wanted. However, this highly personalized chopper shows that his favorite ride is the one that puts smiles on people’s faces.
For a Hollywood icon long associated with intimidation, Danny Trejo has shown his warm heart via this rolling photo album. The sheer joy he finds in sharing memories of friends new and old has won over even more admirers. His customized Harley-Davidson chopper shows that even the toughest tough guys have a sentimental side.
