Actress. Ontiveros, who built her career on playing maids, housekeepers and immigrant characters, will best be remembered for portraying the convicted murderer, Yolanda Saldivar in 'Selena' (1997). Her first TV appearance was on an episode of 'Charlie's Angels' in 1976 and went on to appear in such TV shows as 'Alice', 'Eight is Enough', 'Hill Street Blues', 'Punky Brewster', 'Who's the Boss?', 'Veronicas Closet', 'Reba', 'Caroline in the City', 'Rob' and 'Los Americans'. In 2005, she was nominated for an Emmy for her recurring role on 'Desperate Housewives'. Among the films she appeared in were: 'California Suite' (1978), 'Cheech & Chong's Next Movie' (1980), 'El Norte' (1981), 'Zoot Suit' (1981), 'The Goonies' (1985), 'Born in East L.A.' (1987), 'Blood In Blood Out' (1993), 'As Good As It Gets' (1997), 'Chuck & Buck' (2000), 'Passionada' (2002) and 'Universal Signs' (2008). Ontiveros, who was an activist for such causes as domestic violence prevention and AIDS awareness, died after a battle with liver cancer.
Actress. Ontiveros, who built her career on playing maids, housekeepers and immigrant characters, will best be remembered for portraying the convicted murderer, Yolanda Saldivar in 'Selena' (1997). Her first TV appearance was on an episode of 'Charlie's Angels' in 1976 and went on to appear in such TV shows as 'Alice', 'Eight is Enough', 'Hill Street Blues', 'Punky Brewster', 'Who's the Boss?', 'Veronicas Closet', 'Reba', 'Caroline in the City', 'Rob' and 'Los Americans'. In 2005, she was nominated for an Emmy for her recurring role on 'Desperate Housewives'. Among the films she appeared in were: 'California Suite' (1978), 'Cheech & Chong's Next Movie' (1980), 'El Norte' (1981), 'Zoot Suit' (1981), 'The Goonies' (1985), 'Born in East L.A.' (1987), 'Blood In Blood Out' (1993), 'As Good As It Gets' (1997), 'Chuck & Buck' (2000), 'Passionada' (2002) and 'Universal Signs' (2008). Ontiveros, who was an activist for such causes as domestic violence prevention and AIDS awareness, died after a battle with liver cancer.
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Bio by: Louis du Mort