After directing the billion-dollar Marvel hit Captain Marvel, Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck shifted gears with Freaky Tales, a return to their indie storytelling roots. Despite its smaller scale, the film carried big-name power—Pedro Pascal, Jay Ellis, Ben Mendelsohn, and even Tom Hanks starred. But it’s rising actor Mike Infante who’s turning heads and redefining what inclusion in Hollywood looks like.
A Mexican-American actor with cerebral palsy, Infante isn’t just entering the industry—he’s helping reshape it. His presence challenges outdated standards, proving that authentic disability representation is not only possible but essential.
Infante’s love for the arts began early. Theater became his outlet, a space where he could explore identities beyond his own. This early fascination grew into a deep passion, and by the time he reached college in Sacramento, acting had become more than a dream—it was his mission.
“I have a disability, and it’s not common to see someone with a real disability playing disabled characters,” Infante explains. “I want to change that—to break the stigma and show that people with disabilities are much more.”
At just 24, Infante landed a pivotal role in Freaky Tales, acting alongside Hollywood elites. He also appears in No Address, further cementing his place in the industry. But Infante doesn’t see himself as an outlier—he sees his career as part of a larger movement toward equity and visibility in film.
For decades, able-bodied actors have portrayed disabled characters. But Infante believes actors with disabilities bring a truth and depth to those roles that can’t be replicated. “We live these experiences,” he says, “and that gives us a unique ability to portray them honestly.”
Casting disabled actors in disabled roles not only enriches storytelling—it ensures authenticity and emotional impact that audiences can feel.
Beyond the screen, Infante’s influence stretches to social media, where over 600,000 followers engage with his message of positivity and resilience. His digital presence is more than just content—it’s a source of inspiration that continues to grow globally.
Infante sees Freaky Tales and No Address as only the beginning. He’s determined to climb higher and continue opening doors for others. “The fight isn’t over,” he says. “I still have more dreams to chase—and if I’m doing the impossible, so can you.”
Mike Infante isn’t just acting—he’s creating a movement, one that is reshaping Hollywood from the inside out.