María Canals Barrera
| María Canals Barrera | |
|---|---|
 Barrera in 2007 | |
| Born |
María Pilar Canals September 28, 1966 Miami, Florida, U.S. |
| Residence | Los Angeles, California |
| Alma mater | University of Miami (Florida) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Spouse(s) |
David Barrera (m. 1999–present) |
| Children | 2 |
María Canals Barrera (born María Pilar Canals; September 28, 1966) is an American actress best known for her roles on television.
Canals Barrera co-starred in a number of short-lived sitcoms, worked as a voice actress, and appeared in several films. She is best known for her role as Theresa Russo in the Disney Channel family sitcom, Wizards of Waverly Place (2007-2012). She played the role of Connie Torres in Camp Rock (2008) and Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam (2010) and co-starred as Lala Pinedo in Larry Crowne (2011). As a voice actress, she is known as Shayera Hol/Hawkgirl in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited. She also voiced the character of Sunset in the Disney Channel show, The Proud Family.
In 2014, Canals Barrera began starring as Daniela in the ABC comedy series, Cristela. She was set to co-star as Hilda in the ABC comedy-drama series Members Only; however, it got cancelled by ABC before its premiere.
Early life
Canals was born and raised in Miami, Florida, to Cuban parents of Spanish (Catalan) descent.[1][2] Barrera also speaks Spanish and took drama classes in junior high.[3] She graduated from University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida with a degree in theater.[2]
Career
In early years, Canals Barrera has worked extensively in theater in both Miami and Los Angeles. In 1992 she began starring on Telemundo Spanish-language telenovela Marielena. She later had the recurring role in the short-lived 1993 Fox comedy-drama series, Key West. In 1996 she was nominated for an Ovation Award for her performance in the stage play Changes of Heart.[2] During 1990s, Canals also guest starred in a number of television series, such as 21 Jump Street, Murder, She Wrote, Almost Perfect, and Caroline in the City. Her first regular role was on the short-lived NBC sitcom, The Tony Danza Show in 1997.
In early 2000s, Canals Barrera had supporting roles in films America's Sweethearts, The Master of Disguise and Imagining Argentina. She has gained much recognition with comic book fans in recent years for her role as Hawkgirl/Shayera Hol on Bruce Timm's Justice League (2001-04) and Justice League Unlimited (2005-06) series. She also had a recurring role in Static Shock as Shelly Sandoval, a news reporter, and in Danny Phantom as Danny Fenton/Phantom's high school crush, Paulina. She also performed the voice of Mercedes "Meche" Colomar in the 1998 video game Grim Fandango. Canals also played incidental characters in two episodes on the TV series The Boondocks ("Grandad's Fight" and "Home Alone").
From 2007 to 2012, Canals Barrera co-starred as Theresa Russo, the mother of lead character, in the Disney Channel family sitcom, Wizards of Waverly Place. She also co-starred in Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie, a 2009 Disney Channel Original movie based on series. Canals Barrera also appeared in the Disney Channel Original Movies Camp Rock (2008) and Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam (2010), alongside Demi Lovato in the role of her mother, Connie Torres. In 2011 she appeared opposite Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts in the romantic comedy film Larry Crowne.
In 2014, Canals Barrera was cast as Hilda, the house manager of the country club where most of the action takes place, in the ABC soapy comedy-drama series, Members Only created by Susannah Grant.[4] Later in that year she joined the cast of ABC comedy series, Cristela, as Cristela Alonzo's character sister.[5]
Personal life
In 1990, Canals married actor David Barrera.[2] She lives with her husband and their two daughters in Los Angeles, California, while a large percentage of her extended family lives in Miami, FL.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Cop and a Half | Mrs. Bobo #2 | |
| 1993 | Harlan & Merleen | Carmen | Television film |
| 1995 | My Family | Young Irene | |
| 2001 | America's Sweethearts | Adinah | |
| 2002 | Bad Boy | Woman at bar | |
| 2002 | The Master of Disguise | Sophia | |
| 2003 | Imagining Argentina | Esme Palomares | |
| 2003 | Scooby-Doo! and the Monster of Mexico | Sofia Otero | Voice role |
| 2005 | The Proud Family Movie | Sunset Boulevardez | Voice role |
| 2008 | Camp Rock | Connie Torres | Television film |
| 2009 | Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie | Theresa Russo | Television film |
| 2010 | Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam | Connie Torres | Television film |
| 2011 | Larry Crowne | Lala Pinedo | |
| 2012 | Batman: The Dark Knight Returns: Part One | Ellen Yindel | Voice role |
| 2013 | Batman: The Dark Knight Returns: Part Two | Ellen Yindel | Voice role |
| 2013 | Night of the Hipsters | Barbara | Short film |
| 2016 | God's Not Dead 2 | Catherine Thawley | |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 21 Jump Street | Rosina | Episode: "La Bizca" |
| 1991 | Super Force | Lori Wechsler | 2 episodes |
| 1992–1993 | Corte Tropical | Adrianita | |
| 1992–94 | Marielena | Nancy | Recurring role |
| 1993 | Key West | Fig | Recurring role, 5 episodes |
| 1994 | Viper | Carla | Episode: "Wheels of Fire" |
| 1994 | Murder, She Wrote | Carmen | Episode: "Wheel of Death" |
| 1995 | Almost Perfect | Carmen | Episode: "You Like Me, You Really Like Me" |
| 1996 | Goode Behavior | Denise | Episode: "Goode Feelings" |
| 1997–98 | The Tony Danza Show | Carmen Cruz | Series regular 7 episodes |
| 1998 | Caroline in the City | Maria | Episode: "Caroline and the Toothbrush" |
| 1998 | Veronica's Closet | Dannie | Episode: "Veronica's a Partner Now" |
| 1999 | Beggars and Choosers | Yolanda | Recurring role |
| 2000–03 | Static Shock | Shelly Sandoval, Hawkgirl | Voice, 14 episodes |
| 2000 | That's Life | Episode: "Bad Hair Week" | |
| 2001 | Popular | Candy Box | Episode: "Fire in the Hole" |
| 2001 | The Brothers García | Ms. Azteca | Episode: "Love Is Very... Confusing" |
| 2001–05 | The Proud Family | Sunset Boulevardez | Voice, 19 episodes |
| 2001–04 | Justice League | Hawkgirl, Livewire | Voice, 43 episodes |
| 2002 | American Family | Christy | Recurring role, 5 episodes |
| 2003 | Miss Match | Store Manager | Episode: "Santa, Baby" |
| 2004 | Curb Your Enthusiasm | Dalilah the Hygienist | 2 episodes |
| 2004–07 | Danny Phantom | Paulina | Voice, 15 episodes |
| 2005–06 | Justice League Unlimited | Hawkgirl, Fire | Voice, 9 episodes |
| 2005–07 | The Boondocks | Spanish TV Reporter / Costa Rican Woman | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 2006 | George Lopez | Claudia | Episode: "A Funeral Brings George to His Niece" |
| 2006 | Handy Manny | Peggy Salazar | Voice, "Supremoguy/Tool Talk" |
| 2007 | The Loop | Agent Denise | Episode: "Yeah, Presents" |
| 2007–12 | Wizards of Waverly Place | Theresa Russo | Series regular, 84 episodes |
| 2009 | Special Agent Oso | Voice Role | Episode: "Octo-Puzzle/One Suitcase Is Now Enough" |
| 2011 | Generator Rex | Valentina | Episode: "Outpost" |
| 2012 | Pound Puppies | Dr. Trudy | Voice, 3 episodes |
| 2013 | The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex | Theresa Russo | Television special |
| 2014 | Baby Daddy | Carol Beltran | Episode: "Bonnie's Unreal Estate" |
| 2014 | Gang Related | Marciela Acosta | 2 episodes |
| 2014–2015 | Cristela | Daniela | Series regular; 22 episodes |
| 2015 | Members Only | Hilda | Series regular, cancelled; 1 episode filmed |
| 2016 | Ultimate Spider-Man | Rio Morales | 1 episode |
Video games
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Grim Fandango | Mercedes 'Meche' Colomar | Voice |
| 2011 | Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds | She-Hulk | Voice |
| 2011 | Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 | She-Hulk | Voice |
| 2015 | Infinite Crisis | Hawkgirl | Voice |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Ovation Award[2] | "Outstanding Actress" | Changes of Heart | Nominated |
| 1998 | ALMA Award[6] | "Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series" | The Tony Danza Show | Nominated |
| 2002 | ALMA Award[6] | "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Series" | The Brothers Garcia | Won |
| 2008 | ALMA Award[6] | "Outstanding Female Performance in a Comedy Television Series" | Wizards of Waverly Place | Nominated |
| 2008 | Imagen Award[6] | "Best Supporting Actress- Television" | Nominated | |
| 2009 | Imagen Award[6] | "Best Supporting Actress/Television" | Nominated | |
| 2009 | ALMA Award[6] | "Actress in Television - Comedy" | Nominated | |
| 2010 | Imagen Award[6] | "Best Supporting Actress - Television" | Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie | Won |
| 2011 | Imagen Award[6] | "Best Supporting Actress - Television" | Wizards of Waverly Place | Nominated |
| 2011 | ALMA Award[6] | "Favorite TV Actress - Supporting Role" | Won |
References
- ↑ Twitter - Maria Canals-Barrera.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Maria Canals Barrera Biography". TV Guide. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
- ↑ "411 Movies Interview: Maria Canals Barrera". 411mania.com. 18 October 2007. Retrieved 2012-12-27.
- ↑ "‘Wizards of Waverly Place’s’ Maria Canals-Barrera Joins Susannah Grant’s ABC Series". Variety. 25 March 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
- ↑ "ABC Medianet". Retrieved 12 October 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Awards for Maria Canals-Barrera". Retrieved 26 December 2012.
External links
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