Maurice Compte is an American actor and producer of Cuban descent best known for portraying Colonel Horacio Carrillo in Narcos.
He is also widely recognized for memorable roles in Breaking Bad, Power, Mayans M.C., Hotel Cocaine, and films such as End of Watch, Den of Thieves, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Keep reading to discover more about his life, career, family, net worth, and other interesting facts.
Who is Maurice Compte?
Maurice Compte is an American actor and producer who has built a successful career through powerful performances in television and film.
Since making his acting debut in the mid-1990s, he has appeared in numerous crime dramas, action films, and thriller series, earning a reputation for portraying intense and believable characters.
He rose to international fame as Colonel Horacio Carrillo in Netflix’s Narcos, a role that introduced him to audiences around the world.
He later expanded his career with standout performances in Breaking Bad, Power, Mayans M.C., Hotel Cocaine, and several acclaimed films.
Alongside acting, Compte has also worked as a producer and filmmaker, continuing to grow his influence in the entertainment industry.
Maurice Compte Early Life
Maurice Compte was born on April 18, 1972, in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States.
He is the son of Cuban immigrant parents who left Havana and settled in the United States in search of a better future.
Although he was born in Louisiana, he spent much of his childhood in Miami, Florida, where he grew up in the vibrant Cuban-American community of Little Havana.
Growing up in a bilingual and multicultural household helped shape his identity from an early age.
During high school, Compte originally planned to join the U.S. Marines and even participated in the ROTC program.
However, after taking an acting class to fulfill a school requirement, he discovered a passion for performing that completely changed his career path.
Maurice Compte Age
Maurice Compte is 54 years old as of 2026, having been born on April 18, 1972.
His zodiac sign is Aries, which is often associated with determination, confidence, and ambition.
Over the years, Compte has built a successful acting career spanning nearly three decades.
He continues to appear in major television series and films, including Hotel Cocaine and Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey.
Maurice Compte Religion
Maurice Compte comes from a Christian family of Cuban heritage.
Although he has not spoken extensively about his personal faith in public, his upbringing was influenced by the traditions and values common within many Cuban-American families.
Throughout his career, Compte has chosen to keep his religious beliefs private and prefers to let his work speak for itself rather than discussing his personal faith in interviews.
Maurice Compte Nationality and Ethnicity
Maurice Compte is an American by nationality.
He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and raised in Miami, Florida, where he grew up in a strong Cuban-American community.
He is of Cuban ethnicity, as both of his parents immigrated from Havana, Cuba.
His Cuban heritage has remained an important part of his identity and has influenced both his personal life and many of the characters he has portrayed on screen.
Is Maurice Compte Hispanic?
Yes, Maurice Compte is Hispanic. He is an American actor of Cuban descent, born in New Orleans and raised in Miami by Cuban immigrant parents.
His Hispanic heritage has influenced many of the authentic Latino characters he has portrayed throughout his career.
Maurice Compte Education
Maurice Compte completed his early education in Miami, Florida, after moving there with his family during childhood.
While in high school, he initially planned to join the U.S. Marines and participated in the ROTC program.
His career plans changed after taking an acting class, where he discovered a passion for performing.
He later studied acting at the State University of New York at Purchase, where he developed the skills that helped launch his professional acting career.
Early Career and Television Debut (1996–2004)
Maurice Compte began his professional acting career in 1996 with a role in the action film The Substitute.
Although it was a small part, the film gave him his first experience in Hollywood.
Over the next several years, he appeared in popular television series such as Chicago Hope, Pacific Blue, NYPD Blue, The Practice, CSI, and Monk.
He also acted in films including Before Night Falls and Double Whammy. These early roles helped him build experience and establish himself as a dependable character actor.
Breakthrough with Breaking Bad and End of Watch (2005–2014)
Compte’s career gained momentum during the late 2000s and early 2010s.
He landed recurring and guest roles in series such as E-Ring, Burn Notice, 24, and NCIS: Los Angeles.
In 2013, he attracted widespread attention after portraying Gaff, a cartel enforcer in the final season of Breaking Bad.
Around the same time, he appeared as Santiago “Big Evil” Flores in the critically acclaimed crime drama End of Watch.
These performances introduced him to a much larger audience and opened the door to bigger projects.
International Success with Narcos and Major Television Roles (2015–2020)
A major turning point came in 2015 when Compte was cast as Colonel Horacio Carrillo in Netflix’s hit series Narcos.
His performance as the determined police officer leading the hunt for Pablo Escobar became one of the defining roles of his career and earned him international recognition.
During this period, he also appeared in Power, The Last Ship, From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, and Mayans M.C..
On the big screen, he took roles in Den of Thieves and Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, further showcasing his range as an actor.
Expanding His Career as an Actor and Producer (2021–2024)
After establishing himself as a respected television actor, Compte continued taking on diverse projects.
He joined Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and starred in the crime drama Hotel Cocaine, where he also worked as a co-executive producer.
This marked an important step in his career behind the camera.
During the same period, he appeared in the action thriller Dominique and continued developing projects as both an actor and filmmaker.
Recent Projects and Future Career (2025–Present)
Maurice Compte remains active in both television and film.
He joined the cast of Bosch: Legacy and is set to appear in Christopher Nolan’s epic film The Odyssey. He has also been cast in the upcoming action film Hellfire.
Alongside acting, Compte continues producing and developing new projects, strengthening his reputation as a versatile performer and creative storyteller in the entertainment industry.
Maurice Compte Movies and TV Shows
Maurice Compte has built an impressive career with roles in many successful television series and films.
He is best known for playing tough law enforcement officers, military figures, and complex criminals in crime dramas, action thrillers, and suspense series.
Television
- Narcos (2015–2016) – Colonel Horacio Carrillo
- Breaking Bad (2013) – Gaff
- Power (2017–2020) – Diego Jimenez
- Mayans M.C. (2018–2023) – Kevin Jimenez
- Hotel Cocaine (2024) – Roman Compte
- The Last Ship (2018) – Gustavo Barros
- From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series (2016–2017)
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2023)
- Bosch: Legacy (2025)
- Burn Notice
- Monk
- 24
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
- CSI: Miami
- CSI: NY
- Chicago Hope
- NYPD Blue
Movies
- The Substitute (1996)
- Before Night Falls (2000)
- End of Watch (2012)
- A Walk Among the Tombstones (2014)
- Den of Thieves (2018)
- Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)
- Dominique (2024)
- Hellfire (2026)
- The Odyssey (2026)
What are Maurice Compte’s Most Famous Roles?
Maurice Compte is best known for playing Colonel Horacio Carrillo in Netflix’s Narcos, a role that brought him international recognition and became the highlight of his career.
He is also widely recognized for playing Gaff in Breaking Bad, Diego Jimenez in Power, Kevin Jimenez in Mayans M.C., Gustavo Barros in The Last Ship, and Roman Compte in Hotel Cocaine.
In films, his performances in End of Watch, Den of Thieves, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood have further established him as one of Hollywood’s most respected character actors.
What Role did Maurice Compte Play in Narcos?
Maurice Compte played Colonel Horacio Carrillo in the first two seasons of Netflix’s Narcos.
His character was a fearless Colombian police officer who led the Search Bloc, the special unit responsible for tracking down notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar.
Carrillo was known for his determination, leadership, and willingness to do whatever it took to dismantle Escobar’s criminal empire.
Compte’s powerful performance made Colonel Carrillo one of the series’ most memorable characters and significantly raised his international profile.
Who did Maurice Compte Play in Breaking Bad?
Maurice Compte played Gaff in the fifth and final season of Breaking Bad.
Gaff was a trusted enforcer for the Mexican drug cartel who worked closely with the organization’s leaders.
Although he appeared in only a few episodes, his calm yet intimidating presence made the character memorable.
The role introduced Compte to a wider audience and helped establish his reputation for portraying tough and convincing characters in crime dramas.
Maurice Compte Wife and Children
Maurice Compte prefers to keep his personal life out of the public eye.
He is currently in a long-term relationship with British journalist Lucy Sherriff, and the couple rarely speaks about their relationship in interviews or on social media.
They have built a quiet family life together while supporting each other’s careers, choosing to stay away from the Hollywood spotlight.
Compte is also a devoted father and values spending time with his family.
Although he has occasionally spoken about the importance of fatherhood, he has chosen not to reveal many personal details about his children.
By keeping their family life private, Compte and Sherriff have been able to maintain a sense of normalcy while he continues to enjoy a successful career in television and film.
Maurice Compte Net Worth
Maurice Compte has an estimated net worth of $5 million as of 2026.
He has built his wealth through a successful acting career spanning nearly three decades, appearing in numerous hit television series and films.
Most of his income comes from acting in productions such as Narcos, Breaking Bad, Power, Mayans M.C., Hotel Cocaine, End of Watch, Den of Thieves, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
He also earns money as a producer and filmmaker, having worked behind the camera on several projects.
His additional income comes from directing, entertainment appearances, and other creative ventures, making him a well-established figure in the film and television industry.
Maurice Compte Height and Weight
Maurice Compte stands approximately 5 feet 9 inches which is about 175 centimeters or 1.75 meters tall and weighs around 75 kilograms which is about 165 pounds.
He has a strong, athletic build that suits the action-oriented and law enforcement roles he frequently portrays on screen.
His dark brown hair, brown eyes, and commanding screen presence have helped him become a recognizable face in crime dramas, thrillers, and action films.
Social Media Presence
Maurice Compte maintains an active presence on Instagram, where he shares updates about his acting projects, behind-the-scenes moments, travel, and personal interests.
He also posts promotional content for his latest television series and films. His social media mainly highlights his professional career and creative work.
While he enjoys connecting with fans, he keeps his family life private and rarely shares personal details about his children or relationships.
Conclusion
Maurice Compte has built an impressive career through dedication, versatility, and memorable performances across television and film.
From Narcos and Breaking Bad to Hotel Cocaine and The Odyssey, Maurice Compte has built an impressive career.
His versatile performances have made him one of Hollywood’s respected character actors.
Alongside acting, Compte has expanded his career as a producer and filmmaker, demonstrating his passion for storytelling both in front of and behind the camera.
With exciting new projects ahead, he remains a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.