'Selena' co-star Lupe Ontiveros dies at 69
She was not on the list.
Actress Lupe Ontiveros, who co-starred in the hit films "Selena" and "As Good As It Gets," has died of liver cancer, her publicists said Friday. She was 69.
Ontiveros passed away Thursday night. Before her death she had received phone calls from actors all over Hollywood as well as political figures, including Edward James Olmos and Hilda Solis, said Roy Cosme of Arcos Communications.
TMZ reports that Ontiveros' "Selena" co-star Jacob Vargas was at her bedside when she passed. He told CNN in a statement that Ontiveros was diagnosed with liver cancer in January of this year, but kept it quiet from friends and family.
At the time of her passing, Vargas said, "she was surrounded by many friends and family." He called the 69-year-old star "an amazing person. A force of nature. Always smiling and ready to pull you out on the dance floor. She will be dearly missed.”
The Mexican-American actress built her career playing domestic workers, and in a 2009 interview with NPR said she had appeared as a maid more than 150 times in roles on shows like "Who's the Boss." Her near-constant gigs made her one of the most recognizable Latina actresses in Hollywood.
In an interview with CNN in 2009, Ontiveros said her repeated casting as a housekeeper was "upsetting."
"It's upsetting to any culture when that is the only projection you have of that culture," she told Soledad O'Brien. "You're pigeon-holed, stereotyped. That means we don't like you. We forget that this country was founded by immigrants."
One of her more recognizable roles came later in life when she played Yolanda Saldivar, the woman convicted of killing Tejano superstar Selena in the 1997 blockbuster movie of the singer's life.
Jennifer Lopez, who starred in "Selena" as the titular superstar, said she's "tremendously saddened by the news of Lupe's passing! I've enjoyed her work throughout the years. She was a great actress and working with her in 'Selena' was an unforgettable experience. She will truly be missed."
Actress Eva Longoria has offered similar condolences, telling CNN in a statement that she's "deeply saddened at the news of my dear friend Lupe Ontiveros' passing. She was more than a colleague to me, she was my family. My heart is with your family Lupe.”
The National Hispanic Media Coalition praised Ontiveros as a "trailblazer" in a statement Friday.
"She worked tirelessly to perfect her craft and open doors for countless Latinos along the way," said NHMC President Alex Nogales. "Hollywood never gave her the lead role, but in our hearts she will be remembered as our leading lady."
Ontiveros was a founding member of The Latino Theater Company in Los Angeles, according to the NHMC.
Actor Luis Guzman tweeted Friday, "R.I.P. Lupe Ontiveros thank you for all your work and being a Pioneer."
Cosme, who serves on the board of the Latino Commission on AIDS, described Ontiveros as a community activist as much as a movie star, and a major voice in the Latino community's ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS. In the past, Ontiveros was a co-host of the Latino Commission on AIDS' fundraiser.
Ontiveros' family said in a statement, "Our mother, Guadalupe 'Lupe' Ontiveros ... was a tireless advocate for many causes, which included G.L.A.D. (Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness, Inc.), United Farm Workers, A.A.R.P., The Latino Commission on A.I.D.S. and the Latino Theatre Company in Los Angeles ... All donations can be made in her name to her two favorite causes, G.L.A.D. (Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness, Inc.) and the L.A.T.C. (Los Angeles Theatre Center)."
Ontiveros was born in El Paso, Texas, the daughter of Luz "Lucita" Castañón and Juan Moreno, middle-class Mexican immigrants who overcame a lack of formal education to become owners of a tortilla factory and two restaurants in El Paso. She graduated from El Paso High School and went on to study at Texas Woman's University in Denton, Texas, where she received a bachelor's degree in social work. She was raised Roman Catholic.
Filmography
Film
Year Title Role Notes
1977 The World's Greatest Lover
1978 The Boss' Son Maria
1978 The Big Fix Marie
1978 California Suite Mary
1980 Cheech & Chong's Next Movie Lupe as Lupe M. Ontiveros
1981 Zoot Suit Dolores
1982 The Border Lupe
1983 El Norte Nacha
1985 Little Treasure Ellen, Market Voice #1
1985 The Goonies Rosalita
1987 The Rosary Murders Sophie
1987 Born in East L.A. Ruby
1990 A Show of Force Pepita
1991 Dolly Dearest Camilla
1991 How Else Am I Supposed to Know I'm Still Alive? Lupe Short
1991 La Pastorela Chelsea
1992 Universal Soldier Bev
1993 Blood In Blood Out Carmen
1993 La carpa Bev
1995 My Family Irene
1995 ...And The Earth Did Not Swallow Him Doña Rosa
1997 Selena Yolanda Saldívar
1997 As Good as It Gets Nora
1999 The Brave Maria
1999 Candyman: Day of the Dead Abuela Direct-to-Video
2000 The Egg Plant Lady Connie
2000 Chuck & Buck Beverly Franco
2000 Luminarias Tia Tonia
2000 Picking Up the Pieces Constancia
2000 Strippers Credit Message
2001 Gabriela Grandma Josie
2001 Storytelling Consuelo Segment "Non-Fiction"
2001 La olla
2002 Real Women Have Curves Carmen Garcia
2002 Passionada Angelica Amonte
2007 Tortilla Heaven Adelfa
2007 Dark Mirror Grace
2007 This Christmas Rosie
2007 Universal Signs Claire
2008 Days of Wrath Anita Terrazas
2009 Hacia la vida Soledad Short
2009 Crawlspace Short
2010 Our Family Wedding Momma Cecilia
2011 Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 Mrs. Cortez Direct-to-Video
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1976 Charlie's Angels Mary the Maid Episode: "The Killing Kind"
1977 Eight Is Enough Mariana Episode: "All's Fair in Love and War"
1977–1978 Alice Maria Fernanadez 2 episodes
1978 Soap Connie 10 episodes
1978–1980 The White Shadow Mrs. Gomez 3 episodes
1980 B. J. and the Bear Amelia Episode: "The Girls of Hollywood High"
1981–1984 Hill Street Blues Mrs. Uribe 3 episodes
1982 American Playhouse Danielle Episode: "Seguin"
1982 ABC Afterschool Special Mrs. Jane Nunez Episode: "But It's Not My Fault"
1984 a.k.a. Pablo Mrs.Jane Alvarez Episode: "The Whole Enchilada"
1984 Jessie Mary Velasco Episode: "Pilot"
1986 Fame Mrs. Avery Castillo Episode: "The Inheritance"
1986 When the Bough Breaks Cruz TV Movie
1987 I Married Dora Marie 2 episodes
1988 Who's the Boss? Margarita Episode: "Housekeepers Unite"
1988 CBS Schoolbreak Special Mrs. Jane Rojas Episode: "Gangs"
1988 Punky Brewster Mrs. Jane Aragon Episode: "What's Your Sign?"
1988 Hallmark Hall of Fame Jane Minor role
1989 Those She Left Behind Rosa TV movie
1990 Grand Slam Grandma Gomez 4 episodes
1991 Great Performances Parranda (pastore) Episode: "La pastorela"
1992 Tales from the Crypt Madame Leona Episode: "Seance"
1993 Rio Diablo Ducna TV movie
1993 Dudley Marta 5 episodes
1996 Red Shoe Diaries Lupe Episode: "Juarez"
1996 Caroline in the City Rosa Episode: "Caroline and the Kid"
1997 Dave's World Martha Episode: "Tropical Depression"
1997 Veronica's Closet Louisa 4 episodes
2000–2002 The Brothers García Abuelita Maria 3 episodes
2001–2002 Pasadena Pilar 4 episodes
2002 King of the Hill Anne Voice, Episode: "The Substitute Spanish Prisoner"
2002 Leap of Faith Lupe Episode: "The Balls Game"
2002 Resurrection Blvd. Lupe Episode: "La Guera de Bibi"
2002–2003 Greetings from Tucson Magdalena Tiant 22 episodes
2002 Mr. St. Nick Tia Sophia TV movie
2004 30 Days Until I'm Famous Rosa Moreno TV movie
2004 Maya & Miguel Abuela Elena Voice, Episode: "Rhymes with Gato"
2004, 2012 Desperate Housewives Juanita 'Mama' Solis 8 episodes
2005 Reba Penny Episode: "Reba and the Nanny"
2005 Testing Bob Secretary TV movie
2005 Mind of Mencia Carlos's Mom
2006 A Girl Like Me: The Gwen Araujo Story Mami TV movie
2008 El Superstar: The Unlikely Rise of Juan Frances Nena
2008 Weeds Sister Helen Episode: Little Boats"
2009 Family Guy Lupe Episode: "We Love You Conrad"
2009 Southland Marta Ruiz Episode: "Derailed"
2009 Reaper Grandma Ellen 2 episodes
2010 Party Down Mrs. Madge Gomez Episode: "Steve Guttenberg's Birthday"
2011 Los Americans Lucia Valenzuela 8 episodes
2012 Rob Abuelita Dana 8 episodes
2012 Common Law Margie Lopez Episode: "Ride-Along"
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