HARVEY GUILLÉN

ACTOR

Guillén has become a familiar face thanks to his breakout role in the critically acclaimed “What We Do in the Shadows,” where he plays the lovable, relatable lone human among a group of vampire housemates. And just as audiences have been charmed by his character, Guillermo — while learning there is more to him than even he was aware of — Guillén has also endeared himself to fans for proudly embracing all aspects of who he is. The queer Mexican American actor knew from a young age that this was a career he wanted to pursue. Keenly aware that plus-sized, queer Latino men have been a rarity on mainstream TV, he has mentioned encounters with teachers and agents who were discouraging before his breakthrough. But with a résumé of roles on shows such as “Huge,” “Eye Candy,” “The Thundermans” and “The Magicians,” Guillén has kicked doors open for himself and has been vocal about keeping them open so the next generation of queer Latino kids can claim their own spaces and stories too.

— T.B.