79-year-old math teacher Jaime Escalante, who was portrayed by Edward James Olmos in the 1987 movie Stand and Deliver, had died, according to news wire sources. The former East L.A. Garfield High School teacher, known for teaching his students calculus--a notion other teachers thought was ridiculous--was battling bladder cancer. Earlier this month, Olmos solicited donations to help pay for treatments, noting that he was "seriously ill." Escalante was born in 1930 in Bolivia and later moved to Los Angeles, earning a mathematics degree at Cal State LA. A mural of Escalante and Olmos can be seen on Wilshire Boulevard next to MacArthur Park. R.I.P., Mr Escalante. more ›

The inspiring story of math teacher Jaime Escalante and students whose lives he touched at East L.A.'s Garfield High was immortalized in the film 1987 Stand and Deliver. Now the actor who played Escalante is hoping his celebrity will help inspire others to contribute funds to aid Escalante in his fight against cancer, according to KTLA. more ›

Next year could be the year that East L.A. gets on the map. more ›

Before playing William Adama in Battlestar Galactica, Edward James Olmos was mostly known for his portrayal of Jaime Escalante in Stand and Deliver. Based on real life events, the movie follows Escalante as he enters James Garfield High in Los Angeles and makes a difference on the young tough kids through his teachings of mathematics. Kinda like Dangerous Minds but with no Coolio. more ›