1. Carmen Margarita Zapata often referred to as "The First Lady of the Hispanic Theater" was an American actress best known for her role in the PBS bilingual children's program Villa Alegre.
18 Facts About Carmen Zapata
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Carmen Zapata took an active part in the Chicano movement of the 1960s and 1970s.
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Carmen Zapata was born in New York City to Julio Carmen Zapata, a Mexican immigrant, and Ramona Roca, an Argentine immigrant.
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Carmen Zapata appeared in over three hundred movies and shows, including Batman: The Animated Series, Married.
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In 1972, Carmen Zapata co-founded the Screen Actors Guild Ethnic Minority Committee with actors Ricardo Montalban, Edith Diaz, and Henry Darrow.
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Carmen Zapata was one of the original members of the Hispanic actors organization "Nosotros," which was begun by Ricardo Montalban.
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In 1983, Carmen Zapata was honored with the Humanitarian Crystal Award from Women in Film.
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Carmen Zapata was honored with a Hispanic Heritage Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997 for her career trajectory in the arts and for her work with the BFA.
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Carmen Zapata was nominated for an Emmy twice in her career, once as Best Supporting Actress for her role in a segment of Medical Center and once for her role in the film Carola.
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In 1981, Carmen Zapata was part of a group of greater Los Angeles women honored by the Young Women's Christian Association with the Silver Achievement Award.
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In 1983, Carmen Zapata was given the Ruben Salazar Award by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund.
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In 1985, Carmen Zapata was named Woman of the Year by the Hispanic Women's Council.
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In 1986, Carmen Zapata was the recipient of the Best Translation Award from the journal Dramalogue.
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In 1999, Carmen Zapata was knighted by His Majesty Juan Carlos I, King of Spain and received El Lazo de Dama del Orden del Merito Civil, the Civil Order of Merit.
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In 2003, Carmen Zapata received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
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Carmen Zapata has served as a panel member of the Expansion Arts Program of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Los Angeles Special Olympics Events Committee, and other programs.
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Carmen Zapata was a practicing Roman Catholic and a registered Democrat.
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Carmen Zapata died in Los Angeles, California on January 5,2014, from heart disease; she was 86 years old.