Actor Pepe Serna to visit Corpus Christi for two events

Corpus Christi native and actor Pepe Serna will be back in the Sparkling City by the Sea Saturday and Sunday.

Serna, best known for his role of Al Pacino’s ill-fated cocaine partner in "Scarface," will be at La Palmera mall and The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Bend.

In a release, Serna said he knew he wanted to be an actor since he was a child.

“I have been blessed in my life by opportunity, but it hasn’t always been easy," Serna said. "When I first went to Hollywood in the '60s to pursue my dream, I was broke and homeless, but I was never afraid to work for what I wanted to achieve and I stay busy to this day pursuing the life I love. It’s a message I deliver to young people on a regular basis.”

From noon to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Serna will be at La Palmera mall signing his "Life is Art" memoir for fans in the Center Court.

The coffee table-style book will be available for purchase at the event for $45.

At 6 p.m. Saturday, Serna will be at The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Bend for a book signing, an art room dedication and film screening for a short documentary titled "Pepe Serna: Life is Art." The event is free and open to the community.

Serna was one of the original members of The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Bend. He was member No. 7 at the club.

President and CEO Kim Barrientos said stories like Serna's are what the club is here for.

"To inspire and encourage our members to pursue their dreams," Barrientos said. "Having him come back to share his story with the community will hopefully inspire the next generation of actors, artists, ball players, doctors, teachers and so on.”

Serna said he was "literally" a poster child for The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Coastal Bend.

“The organization holds a special place in my heart to this day as I take every opportunity to speak with young people, encouraging them to make connections — with others and within themselves," Serna said. "Most kids don’t realize the potential to succeed is already within them.”

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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or Twitter @johnpoliva.

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Pepe Serna to visit Corpus Christi this weekend for two events