Rising Stars: Meet Roberto Garcia of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Roberto Garcia.

Hi Roberto, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Roberto Garcia, and I’m the founder of El Matador Inc., a company dedicated to providing military training, weapons handling, and tactical consulting for film and television. I am a U.S. Marine Combat Veteran and have spent the past two decades working as an actor, stunt performer, stunt coordinator, and military technical advisor across a wide range of productions.

I was born in Mexico and raised in the San Fernando Valley after my family moved to Southern California when I was a child. During my senior year at Birmingham High School, I enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at age 17. After graduating, I completed basic training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) in San Diego and was stationed at Camp Pendleton.

I served with Alpha Company, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion—an elite unit built around the LAV-25, an eight-wheeled combat vehicle system. My role included both mechanical and tactical operations, such as urban warfare training (MOUT), reconnaissance, communications, logistics, and emergency medical response. These foundational experiences shaped my technical skills, leadership, and discipline.

In 2003, my unit was deployed as part of the 1st Marine Division in Operation Iraqi Freedom. We were among the first to cross the line of departure from Kuwait, leading the initial advance toward Baghdad. During our deployment, Alpha Company carried out numerous high-risk missions: human extractions, intelligence escort operations, humanitarian support, and training the first wave of Iraqi police forces. We were also tasked with disposing of unexploded ordnance to help secure local communities.

During one of these operations, I was wounded in action and received the Purple Heart. After completing my tour, I was honorably discharged and transitioned into the entertainment industry, bringing with me the tactical precision, leadership, and real-world experience that are crucial on set.

Since then, I’ve built a career helping filmmakers achieve authenticity in military and action storytelling. Whether advising on set, training actors, coordinating stunts, or performing them myself, I focus on realism, safety, and the impact of storytelling. My mission is to bridge the gap between military truth and cinematic vision, creating moments that resonate with both veterans and audiences worldwide.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey hasn’t always been smooth, and like any entrepreneurial path, it has come with its share of challenges. Transitioning from working within established tech advising companies to building my own business required learning how to manage all aspects of operations—from client acquisition to logistics, often simultaneously. Navigating the entertainment industry’s fast-paced and highly competitive environment added another layer of complexity, especially while striving to maintain authenticity and integrity in military consulting. Additionally, balancing the demands of building a business with family responsibilities required careful time management and unwavering commitment.

One of the greatest challenges has been demonstrating the importance of realistic, safety-driven military advising to productions that often prioritize speed or spectacle over accuracy. Earning clients’ trust and educating them on the critical balance between authenticity and safety demanded time, patience, and perseverance. Furthermore, branching out into production introduced new complexities, requiring ongoing learning and adaptability in unfamiliar territory.

Despite these hurdles, each challenge has strengthened my resolve and sharpened my skills. They’ve reinforced the importance of resilience, clear communication, and staying true to my mission—qualities that continue to drive El Matador Inc. forward.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As the founder of El Matador Inc., I specialize in bringing authenticity and tactical precision to film and television productions. My role as a Military Tactical Advisor involves training actors and production teams in accurate military procedures, weapons handling, and combat movement. At El Matador Inc., our mission is to enhance storytelling by grounding action sequences in real-world experience, prioritizing both authenticity and on-set safety.

Over the past 20 years, I’ve worked on various productions as a military advisor, stunt coordinator, and performer. I’m recognized for my ability to create a believable, immersive tactical environment on set while strictly maintaining safety protocols for cast and crew. Whether preparing a lead actor for a complex combat scene or coordinating high-stakes action sequences, I always approach my work with a mindset rooted in my Marine Corps training: mission-focused, disciplined, and detail-oriented.

What sets me apart is my real-world combat experience. I’m not just teaching tactics from theory—I’ve lived them. My service in the U.S. Marines, especially during Operation Iraqi Freedom, provided me with firsthand insight into the mental and physical demands of high-pressure situations. I bring that perspective to every project I’m involved in, ensuring that portrayals of military personnel and operations are both accurate and respectful.

One of my proudest achievements is helping bridge the gap between the military and entertainment worlds. Many veterans don’t see themselves represented accurately on screen, and I consider it an honor to contribute to more authentic storytelling. I also take pride in mentoring emerging stunt performers and helping actors connect more deeply with their roles, both in terms of movement and understanding the warrior mindset.

Ultimately, my goal is to enhance the authenticity of each project while fostering a safe, efficient, and collaborative environment on set. Authenticity isn’t just about visuals—it’s about honoring the truth behind the uniform. That’s what drives my work and what El Matador Inc. stands for.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
My relationship with risk has been shaped by two distinct yet equally demanding worlds: the military and the entertainment industry. As a U.S. Marine, I was trained to assess, manage, and respond to risk in high-stakes environments, where the consequences could be life or death. That experience taught me that risk-taking isn’t about being reckless; it’s about making informed decisions under pressure, relying on preparation, instinct, and training.

One of the most significant personal risks I took was transitioning from the military into the film and television industry. I left a structured, mission-driven environment to enter a competitive field with no guarantees. I had no roadmap—just a deep desire to apply my skills in a new way. Starting El Matador Inc. marked a significant transition—from working for and partnering with other military advising companies on productions to independently founding and leading my own company. I was motivated by a desire to prove to myself that I could successfully build and manage my own business I invested significant time and resources into building a company that provides military consulting and is expanding into production, with a strong commitment to upholding the highest standards and integrity—honoring both real service members and the talented professionals we collaborate with. It was a risk because I was creating a niche in an industry that didn’t always prioritize authenticity, but it paid off because I stayed true to my values and core beliefs.

I don’t consider myself a thrill-seeker, but I do believe in calculated risk. Every major step in my career has come from asking myself: “Does this align with my purpose? Have I prepared as much as possible? Am I willing to own the outcome—good or bad?” That warrior mindset allows me to take bold steps without losing sight of what matters most: integrity, professionalism, and respect for the craft.

In my view, risk is necessary for growth. It’s uncomfortable by nature, but if approached with clarity and commitment, it often leads to the most meaningful breakthroughs.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.elmatadorinc.com
• Instagram: @el_matador_inc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robert.garcia.946179/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB82orBklCA36yFZ2qMfIWg
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@elmatadorinc?_t=ZT-8xYyM6Uoq8z&_r=1