Steven Bauer was born Esteban Ernesto Echevarria inHavana, Cuba. Bauer turned to acting while attending Miami-Dade Community College, but then transferred to the University of Miami, where he studied in the establishment's Department of Theater Arts and performed at its esteemed Jerry Herman Ring Theatre where he became friends with actor Ray Liotta. Bauer's first substantial role was in the PBS bilingual sitcom "¿Qué Pasa, U.S.A.?," playing the teenage son of a Cuban exile family in Miami. He also appeared in the TV miniseries "From Here to Eternity." He was credited in these and a few other early projects as Rocky Echevarria. Later, he changed his name to Steven Bauer. 

Bauer was given the substantial role of Manolo Ribera in the movie SCARFACE opposite Al Pacino. The producers of SCARFACE were convinced that he was right for the role based on his strong audition, as well as his authentic Cuban background. His performance drew a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor.  Since then, Bauer has made his career primarily, though not exclusively, in action-adventure films and crime dramas on both the big and small screens, including such motion pictures as PRIMAL FEAR and TRAFFIC. He also made an appearance in the video game spinoff "Scarface: The World Is Yours," playing drug dealer The Sandman.