Emilio Merritt
Bringing powerful narratives to life across screen and stage.
Explore Emilio Merritt’s acting portfolio, featuring his latest reel, complete credits, training, and performance clips.
Emilio Merritt is an award-winning Mexican-Canadian actor, director, screenwriter, and playwright based in Vancouver, BC. Formally trained with a five-year theatre degree from UNAM’s prestigious Centro Universitario de Teatro (CUT) in Mexico City, he later earned an achievement scholarship in acting from SchoolCreative in Vancouver. His international portfolio spans feature films, network television, and acclaimed stage productions.
On screen, Emilio has appeared in major television series and feature films, including Billy the Kid, El Más Buscado (Mexican Gangster), Jingle Bell Run, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Arrow, Supernatural, Motive, Always Be My Maybe, and Dragged Across Concrete.
As a filmmaker, Emilio wrote, directed, produced, and edited the acclaimed film Lucky Ashes (2024), which earned official selections and awards on the international circuit—including recognition at the Spain International Film Festival, Germany International Film Festival, and Golden Short Film Festival. His broader directing body of work includes narrative short films such as I Loved, Closure, The Operative Word, Farewell, and A Simple Day, which have screened at celebrated venues including the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in France and NewFilmmakers New York.
Grounded in classical theatre, Emilio is an accomplished stage actor, playwright, and director. His original stage work and directorial projects have earned top honors at the International Theatre Festival in Mexico City—including Best Director for a Play—and his Vancouver production of Hedda Gabler ran to sold-out audiences.
Beyond his principal creative work, Emilio possesses deep behind-the-scenes expertise. In Mexico, he served as an assistant director and casting contributor on major productions, notably working on Diego Luna’s feature film Chavez. He is also a sought-after on-set acting coach, specializing in youth performance on high-profile projects such as Hasta Que Te Conocí and Las Oscuras Primaveras.
Latest Projects
Actor
Emilio Merritt guest stars as Don Ortiz in the American Western drama series "Billy the Kid," alongside Tom Blyth as the titular outlaw. Set in the 19th-century American Old West and created by Michael Hirst, the series premiered on Epix on April 24, 2022. With its gripping storyline and talented cast, including Emilio Merritt's portrayal of Don Ortiz, the series quickly gained popularity, leading to a renewal for a second season split into two parts.
Filmmaker
Emilio Merritt's latest Short Film "Lucky Ashes" delves into the poignant journey of Lucky, a Punjabi-Canadian teen grappling with identity, grief, and cultural expectations after a devastating loss. Currently captivating audiences in the short film festival circuit, this emotional tale explores themes of rebellion, family dynamics, and the search for belonging in a multicultural world.
Theatre Creator
Directed, produced, and adapted by Emilio Merritt, the innovative production of "Hedda Gabler" in Vancouver focused on raw emotion and authentic human behavior. Starring Swedish actress Janya Cambronero Severin as the titular character, the play explored contemporary themes of identity and societal expectations. Performances ran Fridays from October 11th to December 13th at the Moberly Arts and Cultural Centre.
Photographer
Emilio Merritt collaborates with his husband and makeup artist, Davinder Singh, in their latest project, "Creative Makeup." Together, they push the boundaries of conventional beauty with bold and imaginative designs. From avant-garde looks to intricate transformations, their artistic vision shines through in every brushstroke. Explore the world of "Creative Makeup" and be inspired by the power of self-expression and creativity.