Maria Canals-Barrera
Maria Pilar Canals-Barrera (née Canals; born September 28, 1966) is an American actress. Over the course of her acting career, Canals-Barrera co-starred in a number of short-lived sitcoms and has appeared in several films.
Maria Canals-Barrera | |
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![]() Canals-Barrera at the 2010 Imagen Foundation Awards | |
Born | Maria Pilar Canals September 28, 1966 |
Other names | Maria Canals Barrera |
Alma mater | University of Miami (Florida) |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1990–present |
Spouse(s) | |
Children | 2 |
She is best known for her role as Theresa Russo in the Disney Channel family sitcom Wizards of Waverly Place (2007–2013). She also 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). From 2014–15, Canals-Barrera starred as Daniela in the ABC comedy series Cristela.
She is known as the voice of Shayera Hol/Hawkgirl in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited. She also voiced Sunset Boulevardez in the Disney Channel show The Proud Family and Paulina in the Nickelodeon show Danny Phantom.
Early life
Canals-Barrera was born and raised in Miami, Florida, to Cuban parents of Catalan descent.[1] Canals-Barrera also speaks Spanish and took drama classes in junior high.[2]
Career
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In her early years, Canals-Barrera 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. During the 1990s, Canals-Barrera 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 animated series (2001–04) and Justice League Unlimited (2005–06). She also had a recurring role in Static Shock as news reporter Shelly Sandoval, and in Danny Phantom as Paulina, the title character's high school crush. She also performed the voice of Mercedes "Meche" Colomar in the 1998 video game Grim Fandango. Canals-Barrera 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 Alex Russo (played by Selena Gomez), 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) as Connie Torres, the mother of Demi Lovato's character. 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.[3] However, it got cancelled by the network before its premiere. Later in that year she joined the cast of ABC comedy series Cristela, as Cristela Alonzo's character sister.[4]
On August 27, 2018, it was revealed by TVLine that Canals-Barrera was cast as the mother of Fernando Hernandez-Guerrero-Fernandez-Guerrero on the Netflix series Fuller House.[5]
Personal life
Barrera has been married to actor David Barrera since 1999, with whom she has two daughters.[6]
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1993 | Cop and a Half | Mrs. Bobo #2 | |
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) | Direct to video |
2011 | Larry Crowne | Lala Pinedo | |
2012 | Batman: The Dark Knight Returns – Part 1 | Ellen Yindel (voice) | Direct to video |
2013 | Batman: The Dark Knight Returns – Part 2 | ||
2013 | Night of the Hipsters | Barbara | Short film |
2016 | God's Not Dead 2 | Catherine Thawley | |
2017 | Teen Titans: The Judas Contract | Bianca Reyes, Titan's Computer (Voice) | Direct to video |
2019 | Sweet Inspirations | Bonnie | |
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 | |
1992–1994 | Marielena | Nancy | Recurring role |
1993 | Harlan & Merleen | Carmen | Television film |
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" |
1997–1998 | The Tony Danza Show | Carmen Cruz | Main role, 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 |
2000–2003 | 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 | Clifford the Big Red Dog | Teresa (voice) | Episode: Dino Clifford |
2001–2005 | The Proud Family | Sunset Boulevardez (voice) | 19 episodes |
2001–2004 | Justice League | Hawkgirl, Livewire (voices) | Main role, 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 |
2004–2007 | Danny Phantom | Paulina | 15 episodes Recurring role (Season 1–2) |
2005–2006 | Justice League Unlimited | Shayera Hol, Fire (voices) | Recurring role, 11 episodes |
2005 | The Proud Family Movie | Sunset Boulevardez (voice) | Television film |
2005–2007 | The Boondocks | Spanish TV Reporter, Costa Rican Woman (voices) | 2 episodes |
2006 | George Lopez | Claudia | Episode: "A Funeral Brings George to His Niece" |
2006 | Handy Manny | Peggy Salazar (voice) | Episode: "Supremoguy/Tool Talk" |
2007 | The Loop | Agent Denise | Episode: "Yeah, Presents" |
2007–2012 | Wizards of Waverly Place | Theresa Russo | Main role, 84 episodes |
2008 | Camp Rock | Connie Torres | Television film |
2009 | Special Agent Oso | Additional voice | Episode: "Octo-Puzzle/One Suitcase Is Now Enough" |
2009 | Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie | Theresa Russo | Television film |
2010 | Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam | Connie Torres | Television film |
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 |
2014–15 | Cristela | Daniela | Main role, 22 episodes |
2015 | Members Only | Hilda | Main role; unaired television series |
2016 | Ultimate Spider-Man | Rio Morales (voice) | 3 episodes |
2016 | A Bronx Life | Angela | Television film |
2016 | Last Man Standing | Sheryl | Episode: "Where There's Smoke, There's Ire" |
2016 | The Big Bang Theory | Issabella | Episode: "The Brain Bowl Incubation" |
2017 | Vixen: The Movie | Dr. Vargas (voice) | Television film |
2017 | Triangle | Alice | |
2018 | The Wedding Do Over | Irene Anderson | Television film |
2018 | Knight Squad | Saffron | Episode: "Parent Teacher Knight" |
2018 | Young & Hungry | Marisol | Episode: "Young & Mexico, Part 1" |
2018 | Fuller House | Nadia | Episode: "Perfect Sons" |
Video games
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1998 | Grim Fandango | Mercedes 'Meche' Colomar | Voice |
2011 | Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds | She-Hulk | |
2011 | Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 | ||
2015 | Infinite Crisis | Hawkgirl | |
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Refs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1998 | Ovation Award | Outstanding Actress | Changes of Heart | Nominated | |
1998 | ALMA Award | Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series | The Tony Danza Show | Nominated | |
2002 | ALMA Award | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Series | The Brothers Garcia | Won | |
2008 | ALMA Award | Outstanding Female Performance in a Comedy Television Series | Wizards of Waverly Place | Nominated | |
2008 | Imagen Award | Best Supporting Actress – Television | Wizards of Waverly Place | Nominated | |
2009 | Imagen Award | Best Supporting Actress/Television | Wizards of Waverly Place | Nominated | |
2009 | ALMA Award | Actress in Television – Comedy | Wizards of Waverly Place | Nominated | |
2010 | Imagen Award | Best Supporting Actress – Television | Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie | Won | |
2011 | Imagen Award | Best Supporting Actress – Television | Wizards of Waverly Place | Nominated | |
2011 | ALMA Award | Favorite TV Actress – Supporting Role | Wizards of Waverly Place | Won | |
2013 | Behind the Voice Actors Awards | Best Vocal Ensemble in a TV Special/Direct-to-DVD Title or Theatrical Short | Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 (Shared with cast) | Nominated | |
2014 | Behind the Voice Actors Awards | Best Vocal Ensemble in a TV Special/Direct-to-DVD Title or Theatrical Short | Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 (Shared with cast) | Nominated | |
2015 | Imagen Award | Best Supporting Actress – Television | Cristela | Nominated |
References
- "Maria Canals-Barrera on Twitter". Retrieved November 2, 2018.
- "411 Movies Interview: Maria Canals-Barrera". 411mania.com. October 18, 2007. Archived from the original on October 2, 2012. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
- "'Wizards of Waverly Place's' Maria Canals-Barrera Joins Susannah Grant's ABC Series". Variety. March 25, 2014. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
- "ABC Medianet". Archived from the original on October 13, 2014. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
- Swift, Andy (August 27, 2018). "Fuller House Is Expanding [Spoiler]'s Family Tree in Season 4". TVLine. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
- "Maria Canals-Barrera on Twitter". Retrieved November 2, 2018.
External links
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