Meet Jessy Terrero, Hollywood’s Rising Latino Powerhouse

Director Jessy Terrero (L) and actress Sofía Vergara. (2004 Getty Images)

Jessy Terrero is becoming a powerhouse in the entertainment industry.

The Dominican-born director’s newest endeavor is “Freelancers,” a film featuring hip hop heavy-weight 50 cent, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, and legendary actor Robert De Niro.

The cop thriller, available on Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand on Aug. 21, centers around 50 Cent’s character, Malo, the son of a slain NYPD officer that encounters corruption and backstabbing while on the force.

Fox News Latino talked to Terrero about his latest all-star cast, which also includes Forest Whitaker and Dana Delany.

“I felt like a little kid just being able to hang out with Robert De Niro” Terrero said, adding that gaining De Niro’s respect is one of his most significant accomplishments.

“We understood each other’s passion,” Terreo said. “He (De Niro) understood my vision for the movie and we just tried to agree and be on the same page. He made me feel comfortable.”

Terrero also directed movies such as “Soul Plane (2004),”starring Method man, Snoop Lion a.k.a. Snoop Dogg, and funnyman Kevin Hart. Terrero is currently developing a TV and film project based on Robert Jackall’s real-life crime thriller “Wild Cowboys,” which focuses on the journey investigators take in solving some of New York City’s most vicious crimes and shootings plaguing the Dominican communities in Washington Heights and the Bronx.

Other than working on Hollywood hits, Terrero, 37, also directed some of today’s most popular music videos, like Jennifer Lopez and Wisin y Yandel’s hit “Follow the Leader.”

“To have the opportunity to work with Jennifer Lopez, in the scope of the artist that she is, I felt that I needed to deliver something big,” said Terrero. “I try to explore and do different things in my music videos.”

Working with 50 Cent on several projects, including working on his music videos “Candy Shop” and “Disco Inferno,” put the young director on the map, he says. His clientele now includes famous artists such as Jill Scott, Daddy Yankee, Ludacris, Akon, Paulina Rubio, and Enrique Iglesias to name a few.

Aside from his directing chops, Terrero is also an actor, producer, writer and businessman as he recently launched the YouTube entertainment channel 123UnoDosTres, which offers bi-lingual programming.

Now Terrero says he wants to help other hard-working Latinos make their way into the entertainment industry.

“[The entertainment industry] is a really serious art form and craft,” said Terrero. “As a writer, as a director, as a producer you have to hone in and study your craft.”