You probably know him as the guy with the massive physical presence and the surprisingly steady hand on the handlebar. Most people looking into Frankie Loyal movies and TV shows are really just looking for "that guy who played Hank in Mayans." It makes sense. For five seasons, Frankie Loyal was the rock of the Santo Padre charter, playing Hank "El Tranq" Loza with a mix of quiet intensity and genuine soul that you don’t always see in "tough guy" roles.
But honestly? There is a lot more to the guy than just leather vests and motorcycle club politics.
If you look back at his career, it’s not just a list of random credits. It’s the story of a punk rock kid from the Bay Area who stumbled into acting and ended up becoming one of the most recognizable faces in the Sons of Anarchy universe. He wasn't some Juilliard-trained actor who spent years in theater school. He was a guy walking down Haight Street in San Francisco when a scout approached him. He literally thought the guy was trying to recruit him for adult films at first—which is hilarious, but also very "Frankie."
The Mayans M.C. Era: More Than a Supporting Role
We have to start with the big one. Mayans M.C. is obviously the crown jewel of the Frankie Loyal movies and TV shows list. When the show started, Hank wasn't necessarily supposed to be the emotional anchor of the club. He was the El Pacificador—the Sergeant-at-Arms. Basically, his job was to keep the peace and crack heads when the peace couldn't be kept.
But as the seasons went on, particularly in those heavy final years (Seasons 4 and 5), Loyal turned Hank into something much more complex. You’ve got this massive, 6'1" muscular guy who is a former bare-knuckle brawler, yet he’s the one taking care of his mother who has dementia. That wasn't just "biker drama." That was real-life weight.
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Frankie has talked about how much he went through with that cast. They dealt with reshooting the entire pilot, changing showrunners mid-stream, and a global pandemic. Through 50 episodes, he went from a recurring face to a series regular that fans genuinely cared about. When the series wrapped up in 2023, it felt like the end of an era for a specific kind of gritty, Latin-led television.
Beyond the Cut: Frankie Loyal’s Film Credits
It’s easy to forget that before he was "Tranq," Frankie was popping up in some pretty prestigious indie projects. If you’re digging through his filmography, you’ll find some surprises.
- The Deep End (2001): This was a Golden Globe-nominated thriller starring Tilda Swinton. Frankie had a small role as a "Barrish Brother," but being part of a film that big, that early, says a lot.
- Quinceañera (2006): This wasn't just some random movie; it won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. It’s a beautiful, raw look at life in Echo Park, and seeing Frankie in that mix shows his roots in independent, culturally significant cinema.
- Die Like a Man: In this one, he plays Sam. It’s a gritty Los Angeles story about gentrification and violence, directed by Eric Nazarian. It’s probably the closest you’ll get to seeing him play a character with the same "street-level" weight as Hank, but in a different context.
- A Stand Up Guy (2016): A bit of a different vibe here, moving more into the mob-comedy-drama space.
Honestly, he’s great at playing characters who have "seen some stuff." He doesn't have to say a lot to tell you that his character has a history. That's a specific kind of screen presence you can't really teach.
Guest Spots and Television Appearances
Outside of the MC, Frankie has a few cool credits that show his range—or at least his ability to fit into very different "worlds."
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In Better Things, the FX show by Pamela Adlon, he played Fortunato. It was such a sharp pivot from the violence of Mayans. He plays a guy who helps the main character, Sam Fox, out of a jam. It showed a warmer, more helpful side of his screen persona that fans of his biker character might have found refreshing.
He also had a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it spot on NUMB3RS back in the day (playing "Prisoner #2," because of course) and even appeared way back on Nash Bridges when he was first starting out in the Bay Area.
The "Real" Frankie: Biker, Punk, and Advocate
You can’t really talk about his movies and shows without talking about who he is off-camera, because the two are basically inseparable. Frankie Loyal isn't a "costume" actor. He’s a lifelong biker. He currently rides a 2003 Harley-Davidson Road King Anniversary Special.
He didn't have to learn how to look comfortable on a bike for the show; he’s been riding for decades. He actually partnered with a brand called Trinidad3 to design a specific type of selvedge denim jean—called "The Loyal"—specifically for bikers. He reportedly put 20,000 miles on the prototype himself just to make sure they wouldn't fall apart. That is the most "on-brand" thing an actor has ever done.
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Before the acting bug really bit, he was a fixture in the San Francisco punk scene. He’s the lead vocalist for a street punk band called Rile 9 Collective. If you listen to their stuff, it’s exactly what you’d expect: fast, loud, and honest.
What’s even more impressive is his personal life. He’s been clean and sober for over twenty years. He’s a massive advocate for autism awareness and supports the L.A. County Firefighter Widows and Orphans Fund. When you see him playing these "hard" characters on TV, it’s worth remembering that the guy behind the tattoos is actually deeply involved in his community.
What's Next for Frankie Loyal?
Now that Mayans M.C. has been over for a while, people are wondering where he’s headed. He’s moved into producing a bit, and there are always rumors about him popping up in more gritty dramas.
As of early 2026, he remains a staple at fan conventions like the Pasadena Comic Con or the Sturgis Buffalo Chip. He’s one of those actors who genuinely enjoys the "biker culture" he portrays, so you’ll often see him at motorcycle events more often than Hollywood red carpets.
How to Follow His Work
If you want to catch up on the best of Frankie Loyal movies and TV shows, here is the most efficient way to do it:
- Watch Mayans M.C. on Hulu/Disney+: It’s his definitive work. Watch for his evolution from Season 1 to Season 5.
- Seek out Quinceañera: It’s a great piece of film history and shows a different side of the Los Angeles landscape he often inhabits.
- Check out Rile 9 Collective on Spotify: If you want to understand the "vocal" side of his energy, the music is the place to start.
- Keep an eye on indie thrillers: He tends to gravitate toward projects with a bit of "dirt under the fingernails," so watch for him in upcoming character-driven crime dramas.
Basically, if you’re a fan of authentic, no-nonsense performances, Frankie is your guy. He’s not trying to be a "movie star" in the traditional sense; he’s just a real person who happens to be very good at being real in front of a camera.