NEW YORK -- The actor who played the notorious drug lord known as El Chapo on a Netflix series has made a cameo as a spectator at the kingpin's U.S. trial.

Alejandro Edda showed up early Monday to get a seat in a packed courtroom where Joaquin Guzman is fighting drug-trafficking charges. Guzman cracked a smile when the "Narcos: Mexico" star was pointed out to him.

Jurors have heard testimony that would make Guzman's reaction understandable. Co-operators who spent time with him during his heyday said he often spoke about wanting to see either a movie or book made about his life story.

Last week, a former Guzman assistant testified that he witnessed the defendant viciously torture his enemies before they were killed. He was one of the government's final witnesses.