Danny Trejo has firmly established himself in the entertainment world, with notable roles ranging from Machete to King of the Hill, captivating audiences with his distinctive presence. Beyond acting, Trejo has become a beloved public figure through various ventures such as his books and the popular Trejo’s Tacos. Now, with his HISTORY Channel series Mysteries Unearthed with Danny Trejo, fans get to see him in a new light—as the Danny Trejo history host—delving into captivating and lesser-known historical stories.
Before the second season of Mysteries Unearthed premiered, Danny spoke with Fangirlish about his experience hosting the show as himself and his deep enthusiasm for history. He also shared insights into returning for the new season and reflected on his work in both scripted and unscripted television.
Origins of Trejo’s Passion for History and Hosting Mysteries Unearthed
When asked about his initial interest in hosting Mysteries Unearthed and his love for history, Trejo explained that history has always been his strongest academic subject, even when he struggled as a student. He said,
“History is the only thing I got a good grade on. I was not a good student, but I loved history. I love anything to do with the past, because [with] the past, you kind of look into the future.”
He shared examples that connect the past to the present, such as San Quentin prison’s origins as a ship in San Francisco Bay and the Vikings’ role in discovering America. When asked about agreeing to host the series, he straightforwardly said he was happy to accept the offer.
Trejo also expressed admiration for William Shatner, remote host of HISTORY’s The UnXplained, noting,
“William Shatner, Star Trek, he’s been a hero of mine forever.”
Highlights from the Return of Mysteries Unearthed Season Two
For the second season, Trejo found many episodes particularly fascinating. He highlighted discoveries such as Jackie Robinson’s bat, which caught his attention not only as a sports fan but also prompting him to check the baseball bats he owns for any historic significance.
Another memorable reveal was of a World War II tank used in a John Wayne movie, illustrating how history and Hollywood intersect. The most sensational discovery, according to Trejo, involved gold coins worth a million dollars hidden inside a gas tank on that same World War II tank.
He reflected on how these moments remind him of his youth, when he and friends would explore abandoned houses and overlook potential treasures like old paintings without much thought. He recounted,
“Then somebody finds a Rembrandt buried in a wall or something. They found a Superman comic book buried in a wall, worth millions of dollars.”
Hosting Compared to Acting: Being Himself on Screen
Danny also discussed the difference between acting scripted roles and hosting shows as himself. Despite many famous characters, Trejo said his own personality has always been central to his screen presence. He explained,
“I always had a bit of myself as a character. That’s why they hired me. It was kind of like every time I tried to act, they [said] oh, no, Danny, be yourself.”
He referenced a scenario from a movie involving an armed robbery:
“No, Danny, be yourself. Oh, okay; I did a robbery. So I’ve been myself all the time. And right now I really get to be myself.”
This authenticity has carried through to his recent work, including guest-hosting on Bar Rescue.
Which Roles and Characters Do Fans Recognize Most?
When asked about the roles people identify him with first, Trejo mentioned Machete as the most recognized. However, he also noted the surprising recognition kids sometimes show him for animated characters, clarifying an amusing misconception. He shared,
“Like everyone thinks you voiced Octavio in King of the Hill since he looks like you, but you were actually the voice of Enrique.”
Trejo humorously recalled when he first saw the character Octavio and contacted Mike Judge, the show’s creator, saying,
“All right, you know what, either I’ve got a part on that show… because everybody thinks that Octavio’s me.”
Judge reassured him with,
“Oh no, I got a part—so then all of a sudden, Enrique showed up.”
Trejo’s Pride and Passion in Hosting a New Genre
With Mysteries Unearthed Season 2 underway, Danny Trejo expressed excitement about branching into a new form of storytelling. As an actor often cast as the villain, especially known for tough roles like Machete, he said hosting feels like a significant evolution.
“I’m just going to be so elated just to do it. Just to be in that genre. It’s a different genre than I’ve ever had. I’m an actor, I’m the bad guy, I’m Machete, and all of a sudden it’s like, I’m a narrator. And I think it’s a big step for me, and I’m just so proud.”
He reiterated his admiration for William Shatner, a longtime idol.
“I’ve always watched the HISTORY Channel. William Shatner is one of my heroes. That’s who I grew up with, and I think he’s 92 and he still goes to comic cons by himself. It’s unbelievable. I’m 81 and I’m going, but I take somebody with me.”
Mysteries Unearthed with Danny Trejo airs Tuesdays at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on HISTORY, offering audiences a unique blend of history, mystery, and the personal enthusiasm of its host.
“History is the only thing I got a good grade on. I was not a good student, but I loved history. I love anything to do with the past, because [with] the past, you kind of look into the future.” – Danny Trejo
“William Shatner, Star Trek, he’s been a hero of mine forever.” – Danny Trejo
“Like everyone thinks you voiced Octavio in King of the Hill since he looks like you, but you were actually the voice of Enrique.” – Danny Trejo
“I always had a bit of myself as a character. That’s why they hired me. It was kind of like every time I tried to act, they [said] oh, no, Danny, be yourself.” – Danny Trejo
“I’m just going to be so elated just to do it. Just to be in that genre. It’s a different genre than I’ve ever had. I’m an actor, I’m the bad guy, I’m Machete, and all of a sudden it’s like, I’m a narrator. And I think it’s a big step for me, and I’m just so proud.” – Danny Trejo
“I’ve always watched the HISTORY Channel. William Shatner is one of my heroes. That’s who I grew up with, and I think he’s 92 and he still goes to comic cons by himself. It’s unbelievable. I’m 81 and I’m going, but I take somebody with me.” – Danny Trejo
