Carmen Zapata
Biography
Carmen Zapata was an American actress whose Broadway career began in the chorus of the musical Oklahoma! in 1946, and who went on to appear in over three hundred films and shows. Born in New York City, she was best known for playing Doña Luz for nine years on the bilingual children's program Villa Alegre, and she played Carmen Castillo on the series Santa Barbara. Her film work included Sister Act (1992). In 1976 she took a starring role opposite Rodolfo Hoyos, Jr. in the ABC situation comedy Viva Valdez, and she helped found the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts, based in Los Angeles, which she also directed. With the writing partner Michael Dewell she published translations of Federico García Lorca's dramatic trilogy, and she received two Emmy nominations during her career. In 2003 the Hollywood Walk of Fame honored her with a star. She died in 2014.
86years old at death
- Born New York City
- Died Van Nuys
- Star sign: CancerThe sign runs June 21 to July 22
- Also credited as Carmen Margarita Zapata
Movie Career
- Films
- 8
- Career span
- 19 years1974 to 1993
First and latest
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Behind the camera
In 1973, Zapata helped start the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts alongside Margarita Galban, a Cuban-born actress, playwright and director, and Estela Scarlata, an Argentine-born set designer.
Behind the camera
Zapata and writing partner Michael Dewell published English translations of Federico Garcia Lorca's dramatic trilogy in 1986 through Bantam Books.
Behind the award
In 1999, Zapata received a knighthood from Juan Carlos I, King of Spain, along with El Lazo de Dama del Orden del Merito Civil, the Civil Order of Merit.
Behind the camera
Zapata helped found the Screen Actors Guild Ethnic Minority Committee in 1972 alongside Ricardo Montalban, Edith Diaz and Henry Darrow.
Carmen Zapata movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Worked with
Carmen Zapata shares two films with Harvey Keitel, and one with each of the others. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Harvey Keitel's page
Dermot Mulroney's page
Whoopi Goldberg's page
Donald Pleasence's page
Charles Bronson's page
Paul Sorvino's page
Emile ArdolinoDirector, 1 film, 1992
All films by Emile Ardolino
All films by John Badham
All films by Don Siegel
Awards
Two awards and honors.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| 1983 | Jane Fonda Humanitarian Award | Won | |
| Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.