Nicky Cruz
Autobiographer
Christian evangelist and former gang member who authored the autobiographies Run Baby Run and Soul Obsession.
He was a member of the Mau-Mau street gang in New York City, where he encountered David Wilkerson, who inspired him and some of his fellow gang members to find religion.
He also authored a number of Christian novels including, The Corruptors, The Magnificent Three, and Destined to Win.
He grew up in Las Piedras, Puerto Rico in a dysfunctional household with his parents and went to live with his brother in New York when he was fifteen.
He was played by Erik Estrada in the 1970 film The Cross and the Switchblade.