Actorul american Manuel Urrego s-a nascut in Columbia, Bogota, la 14 aprilie 1953.
Familia s-a mutat in Statele Unite si in 1976 a absolvit Universitatea de Stat din Arizona, unde a studiat actoria si dansul.
A fost dansator profesionist in New York si Chicago, a dansat disco, tango, salsa, flamenco, a jucat in spectacole la Teatrul Cammelot Artists din Los Angeles, numit din 2009 Katselas Theatre, in spectacole ca The tenth man, The time of your life. La Teatrul Hudson din New York a jucat in American blues, la Teatrul Arizona a jucat in Front page, Dark of the moon, Peter Pan.
A apărut in spoturi publicitare ca Cherrios, The City of Gold, pentru General Mills, Satchi & Satchi.
In anul 2001 a debutat la televiziune, cu rolul Dl. Lopez din serialul Philly, apoi a jucat in Thieves (2001), The Agency (2003), Robbery Homicide Division (2002-2003), Six Feet Under (2003), The West Wing (2005), Moonlight (2008), Weeds (2008), General Hospital (2008), Days of Our Lives (2008), Heroes (2009), Nikita (2010), Terriers (2010).
Pe marele ecran debuta in anul 2002, in filmul Mid-Century, apoi a jucat in El gusano (2003), Vendetta: No Conscience, No Mercy (2004), Collateral (2004), The Elephant's Egg (2004), Habanero (2007), The Journey (2007), The Bannen Way (2010), Blank Slate (2010), Untitled Spanish Comedy (2011).