Carmen Zapata

Zapata was born in New York City to Julio Zapata, a Mexican immigrant, and Ramona Roca, an Argentine immigrant.

• Name — Carmen Zapata • Birth Name — Carmen Margarita Zapata • Born — 15 July 1927 • Birthplace — New York City, New York, U.S. • Years Active — 1946–2002 • Died — 5 January 2014 • Place of death — Los Angeles, California, U.S. • Occupation — Actress

Zapata made her Broadway debut in the chorus of Oklahoma! in 1946. She appeared in over three hundred movies and shows, including Batman: The Animated Series, Married... with Children, Sister Act, and she was Carmen Castillo in Santa Barbara. One of her longest-running roles was on the bilingual children's program Villa Alegre, where for nine years she played the lead character, "Doña Luz." In 1972, Zapata co-founded the Screen Actors Guild Ethnic Minority Committee with actors Ricardo Montalbán, Edith Diaz, and Henry Darrow. She was also one of the original members of the Hispanic actors organization "Nosotros," which was begun by Ricardo Montalbán. In 1973, she co-founded the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts (BFA) with Cuban-born actress, playwright, and director Margarita Galban and Argentine-born award-winning set designer Estela Scarlata. In 1976, Zapata joined Rodolfo Hoyos, Jr., in starring roles in the 12-episode ABC situation comedy summer replacement series Viva Valdez, about a Mexican-American family living in East Los Angeles, California. In 1986, she and her writing partner, Michael Dewell, published translations for Federico García Lorca's dramatic trilogy. The title was published by Bantam Books and was part of her effort to bring Spanish language literature to English speakers.

Throughout her life, Zapata was involved in various charitable events including sitting on the board of the United Way, the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, the KCET Community Advisory Board, the Boy Scouts of America, the National Conference of Christians and Jews, the National Repertory Theatre Foundation, and member of the City of Los Angeles Mayor's Committee on the Arts, the California Arts Council's Ethnic Advisory Minority Panel, and many other organizations. She has also served as a panel member of the Expansion Arts Program of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Los Angeles Special Olympics Events Committee, and other programs.

Zapata died in Los Angeles, California on January 5, 2014, from heart disease, aged 86.

• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1969 — Hail, Hero! — Juana • 1972 — Adam-12 — Mrs. Cipeano — S4, E17 "The Parol Violator" • 1972 — Portnoy's Complaint — Mrs. Harero — Uncredited • 1973 — Bad Charleston Charlie — Lottie • 1973 — Toke • 1973 — Carola — Mireille — TV film • 1974 — The Last Porno Flick — Mama Theresa • 1974 — W — Betty • 1975 — Boss Nigger — Margarita • 1975 — Kolchak: The Night Stalker — Spanish Woman — S1E16 • 1976 — I Will, I Will... for Now — Maria • 1977 — Billy Jack Goes to Washington — Minor Role — Uncredited • 1977 — Telefon — Nurse • 1977 — John Hus — Mother of John Hus • 1977 — Emergency! — Car Accident Victim — S6E24 “All Night Long” • 1978 — Rabbit Test — Madam Nundi • 1979 — The New Adventures of Wonder Woman — The Prime Minister — S3E17 "The Richest Man in the World" • 1979 — Boulevard Nights — Mrs. Landeros • 1980 — How to Beat the High Co$t of Living — Mama — Uncredited • 1980 — There Goes the Bride — Mrs. Ramirez • 1984 — Vultures — Elena Garcia-Lopez • 1986 — The Education of Allison Tate — Teresa Aleman • 1992 — Sister Act — Sister Mary Emmanuel • 1993 — Point of No Return — Judge • 1993 — Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit — Sister Mary Emmanuel • 1994 — Por la Vida: Street Vending & the Criminalization of Latinos — Narrator — Voice • 1994 — Skins — Roses • 1996 — The Disappearance of Garcia Lorca — Lorca's Mother • 1998 — Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman — Doña Verano — Episode 6.17 "Happily Ever After" • 2000 — The Egg Plant Lady — Rosa Vecino • 2001 — The Sleepy Time Gal — Anna