The cast of characters in Stand and Deliver.
Jaime Escalante
Played By: Edward James Olmos
He is based off real-life calculus teacher Jaime Escalante. Escalante is determined to teach inner-city students they are more than just a statistic through mathematics. He believes they have the potential to exceed expectations, all they need is ganas (desire). Over the course of the film, we see his dedication in educating his students and the positive impact it has on them. Although his students are accused of cheating because their scores seemed too perfect, they re-test and still get perfect scores.
- Badass Bookworm: He performs a multiplication hand trick in response to Chuco flipping him the bird.
- Cool Teacher: His students refer to him as 'Kemosabe.'
- Deadpan Snarker: Starts the movie off really exploiting this trope, although it's lessened by the end. Often mixed with Dull Surprise.
- Determinator: After being hospitalized for a heart attack and denied to continue working, he writes class notes on paper napkins and has a nurse smuggle them to his students so they can continue studying despite the incompetent substitute teacher.
- Jerkass: Starts the movie off very cynical and mean-spirited. Claudia even calls him out on it.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Warms up to his students by the end, especially when he protects them from cheating accusations.
- Papa Wolf: He is extremely protective of his students, particularly when they are accused of cheating by the ETS people.
Angel Guzman
Played By: Lou Diamond Phillips
Angel is a member of the Maravilla gang who secretly possesses a natural gift for mathematics. Although he is shown to be a tough guy who doesn't take his education seriously in the beginning of the film, he has a desire to learn, evidenced by his multiple attempts in convincing Mr. Escalante to let him stay in his class. Toward the end of the film, it is revealed Angel is indeed gifted in the subject, for he received a 5 on his AP Calculus Exam - a perfect score.
- Gangbangers: He is a cholo - a Mexican American gangster.
- Genius Bruiser: Although he is tough, he is highly intelligent.
- Hidden Depths: He's naturally gifted in mathematics.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: He cares for his sick grandmother whom he lives with.
Francisco "Pancho" Garcia
Played By: Will Gotay
Pancho is a young mechanic and one of the students who seems to struggle with calculus. Earlier in the film, he is shown to give up easily, nearly choosing a job at a forklift over his education, however, Escalante convinces him his education is the key to success and a good career. When Escalante returns to the school, after his heart attack, we see a change in Pancho's attitude toward his education, most notably when he correctly answers a problem he's been struggling with.
- Berserk Button: When Angel spits at him, when his car stops working, and when he is unable to solve a problem.
- Grease Monkey: He is a mechanic.
Claudia Camejo
Played By: Karla Montana
Claudia is a student who possess both brains and beauty and wants to be taken seriously. Although she is intelligent, she is often misjudged for her physical appearance and assumed social life to the extent that even her teacher Mr. Escalante jokingly insults her in front of her peers, though he later apologizes. When trying to convince her mother to sign Mr. Escalante's permission slip we see Claudia's determination to get an education in this exchange:
- Break the Cutie: When she has a hard time balancing her social life with her education.
- The Fashionista: She's shown to be trendy.
- So Beautiful, It's a Curse: Evidenced in how Mr. Escalante jokes about her social life to the class.
Guadalupe "Lupe" Escobar
Played By: Ingrid Oliu
Lupe is an ambitious and assertive student in Mr. Escalante's class as well as a supportive daughter, elder sister, and girlfriend. In the beginning of the film, she is one the many students who oppose Mr. Escalante's tactics. She takes it a step further in refusing to take one of Mr. Escalante daily quizzes. However, she is the only one who carries out the protest, which gets her sent to the "chair." Following this incident, her attitude toward Escalante gradually shifts, as they become close and she becomes one of his most dedicated students, receiving a 5 on her AP Calculus Exam - a perfect score.
Ana Delgado
Played By: Vanessa Marquez
Ana is a shy, soft spoken girl who expresses an interest in mathematics, her first day of Mr. Escalante's class. She is almost forced to drop out of school because her father wants her to work in his restaurant, however, Mr. Escalante intervenes. The next day, not only does she return to school, but she solves a problem the students were struggling with (she didn't even read the board).
- Anti-Education Mama: It's the father of Ana Delgado who's opposed to his daughter getting an education. He wants her to work in his restaurant. After Mr. Escalante intervenes she comes back to class.
- Lovable Nerd: A female version of this trope.
- Shrinking Violet: Earlier in the film, she is shown to be a soft spoken shy girl.
Armando "Tito" Guitaro
Played By: Mark Eliot
Tito is a new-wave musician who is a "ladies man." He is often shown to have an easy-going personality, but still manages to do well in Mr. Escalante's class.
- Big Man on Campus: He is very popular at his school, particularly amongst the female crowd.
- Chick Magnet: He is shown to have multiple girlfriends, possibly even Rafaela
◊, whom he starts hanging out with. - Cool Shades: Take a look.◊
Javier Perales
Played By: Patrick Baca
Javier is the know-it-all of the class. He's never gotten anything lower than a B-, and often expresses this to Mr. Escalante, when he receives a low grade. Like Ana, he enjoys mathematics, but can be boastful at times, which annoys a few of the students and Mr. Escalante.
Rafaela Fuentes
Played By: Lydia Nicole
Rafaela is an immigrant student who transfers to Escalante's class in the beginning of the movie. She is quiet, and is shown to hang out with Tito the majority of the film.
- Tomboy: She dresses in masculine attire the majority of the film (over-sized shirts and pants), whereas the other three female characters dress more femininely.
