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Edith Díaz

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Edith Diaz
Born(1939-10-23)October 23, 1939
DiedNovember 19, 2009(2009-11-19) (aged 70)

Edith Diaz (October 23, 1939 – November 19, 2009) was a Puerto Rican actress known for the roles in film, television, and stage. She co-founded the Screen Actors Guild's Ethnic Minorities Committee in 1972.[1]

Life and career

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Early life and education

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Diaz was born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.[1] She studied under noted acting teacher, Stella Adler, and at the Actors Studio in the New York City.[1]

Film

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Her film credits included Born on the Fourth of July (1989), Sister Act (1992), Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993), Nick of Time (1995), and her final appearance, Oh Baby! (2008).

Television

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On television, Diaz appeared in the short-lived 1975-76 CBS television series, Popi, which starred Hector Elizondo. Popi, which aired on CBS for eleven episodes, was one of the first television series on American network television to feature a Hispanic theme and cast.[1] Her other television credits included guest roles on Quincy, M.E., Police Woman, St. Elsewhere, All in the Family, The F.B.I., Barney Miller and The Twilight Zone.[1] In 1991, she played Desi Arnaz's mother, Dolores, in the television movie, Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter, on CBS.[1] In the 1973 episode "A Bullet for El Diablo", on Hawaii Five-O, Diaz appeared in a dual role as half-sisters Rita Salazar and Maria Ramos.[1]

Activism

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Diaz co-founded the Screen Actors Guild Ethnic Minorities Committee in 1972 with Henry Darrow, Carmen Zapata and Ricardo Montalbán.[1]

Death

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Edith Diaz died of heart failure on November 19, 2009, at a nursing home in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, at the age of 70.[2] Actress Miluka Rivera, who had served with her on the SAG Ethnic Minorities Committee, called Diaz a "gifted performer, a union Latino rights activist and a loving friend."[1]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1971 Brute Corps Lupe
1989 Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills Rosa
1989 Born on the Fourth of July Madame - Villa Dulce
1992 Sister Act Choir Nun #11
1993 Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit
1995 Nick of Time Irene
1995 Theodore Rex Ella
1996 The Fan Elvira
1998 Archibald the Rainbow Painter
2003 First Watch Linda Video
2008 Oh Baby! Yolanda at party

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Actress Edith Diaz dies at 70". The Hollywood Reporter. February 8, 2010. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
  2. ^ "PASSINGS: Jimmy Wyble, Edith Diaz". Los Angeles Times. January 25, 2010. Retrieved March 23, 2010.
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