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Constance Marie
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Constance Marie is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as Angelina "Angie" Lopez in George Lopez (2002–2007), and Marcela Quintanilla (mother of Selena) in the film Selena (1997). She portrayed Regina Vasquez in the ABC Family/Freeform drama series Switched at Birth (2011–2017). She also portrayed Camila Diaz in the Amazon Prime Video drama series Undone (2019–2022).
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Marie was spotted at a club by Toni Basil, the dance choreographer for David Bowie, and she was hired for the Glass Spider Tour in 1987.[1] She appeared on the 1988 concert video Glass Spider, which captured performances from that tour.[1]
Career
[edit]Marie began her acting career when she was in her teenage years. She landed a spot in the 1988 film Salsa. Other television and film credits include Early Edition, Dirty Dancing, Selena, Spin City, and Ally McBeal. Marie was chosen for the role of Angie Lopez in the ABC comedy series George Lopez. In 2001, Marie starred in the comedy-drama film Tortilla Soup alongside Héctor Elizondo, Jacqueline Obradors, and Elizabeth Peña. She also appeared in the PBS drama series American Family.
In October 2007, she launched her own clothing line, "The Constance Marie Collection".[citation needed] In the same year, she appeared in an ad for PETA, encouraging people to spay and neuter their pets.[2]
From 2011 to 2017, Marie had a starring role in the ABC Family/Freeform drama series Switched at Birth, portraying Regina Vasquez, the birth mother of one of the girls and legal mother of the other.
Personal life
[edit]Marie was in a 15-year relationship with yoga instructor Kent Katich, which ended in September 2015. They have a daughter born in 2009. Marie is a longtime vegetarian and raised her child as a vegetarian.[3]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Salsa | Featured Dancer | |
| 1993 | 12:01 | Joan Zevo | TV movie |
| 1994 | Island City | Connie Sealle | TV movie |
| 1995 | My Family | Toni | |
| 1997 | Selena | Marcella Quintanilla | |
| 1999 | The Last Marshal | Rosa | |
| 2000 | Dancing in September | Teresa Lopez | TV movie |
| 2001 | See Spot Run | The Neighbor | |
| Tortilla Soup | Yolanda | ||
| 2006 | Puff, Puff, Pass | Montana | |
| 2010 | Class | Victoria Corrales | TV movie |
| 2011 | Puss in Boots | Imelda (voice) | |
| 2014 | Sweet Surrender | Sandra | TV movie |
| 2015 | The Right Girl | Dee Walker | TV movie |
| 2020 | Winter in Vail | Trish Simmons | TV movie |
| 2022 | Mr. Right | Gloria | Short |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988–89 | Dirty Dancing | Penny Rivera | Main Cast |
| 1989–90 | Santa Barbara | Nikki Alvarez | Regular Cast |
| 1991 | The Man in the Family | Jenny | Episode: "None for Sal" |
| Jake and the Fatman | Bianca Alamán | Episode: "Where or When Part: 1 & 2" | |
| 1992 | Reasonable Doubts | Officer Petra Delgado | Episode: "Fish out of Water" |
| The Hat Squad | Jo Jo Wilson | Episode: "The Widow Marker" | |
| 1993 | Cobra | Maria | Episode: "Nowhere to Run" |
| 1996 | The Sentinel | Beverley Sanchez | Episode: "Killers" |
| 1997 | Spin City | Gabby Sanchez | Episode: "Gabby's Song" |
| 1997–98 | Union Square | Gabriella Diaz | Main Cast |
| 1998–00 | Early Edition | Police Detective Toni Brigatti | Recurring Cast: Season 3-4 |
| 1999 | Two Guys and a Girl | Venita | Recurring Cast: Season 2 |
| 2000–01 | For Your Love | Samantha | Recurring Cast: Season 4 |
| 2001 | Ally McBeal | Inez Cortez | Episode: "Hats Off to Larry" |
| That '70s Show | Little Drummer Boy (voice) | Episode: "An Eric Forman Christmas" | |
| 2002 | I Love the '80s | Herself | Recurring Guest |
| American Family | Nina Gonzalez | Recurring Cast: Season 1 | |
| 2002–07 | George Lopez | Angelina "Angie" Lopez | Main Cast |
| 2003 | I Love the '70s | Herself | Episode: "1973" |
| Intimate Portrait | Herself | Episode: "Constance Marie" | |
| 2005 | Unscripted | Herself | Episode: "Episode #1.1" |
| TV Land's Top Ten | Herself | Recurring Guest | |
| Punk'd | Herself | Episode: "Episode #5.2" | |
| The Drop | Herself | Episode: "Episode #3.16" | |
| 2006 | In the Mix | Herself | Episode: "Pursuing Happiness" |
| 2008 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Det. Carolina Flores | Episode: "Two and a Half Deaths" |
| 2009 | The Secret Life of the American Teenager | Virginia Molina | Episode: "Whoomp! (There It Is)" |
| According to Jim | Victoria | Episode: "The Ego Boost" | |
| 2011 | The Traveler's Guide to Life | Herself | Recurring Cast |
| 2011–17 | Switched at Birth | Regina Vasquez | Main Cast |
| 2014 | American Dad! | Catalina (voice) | Episode: "Blagsnarst, a Love Story" |
| 2014–15 | Celebrity Name Game | Herself | Episode: “Mel B. & Constance Marie #1-#3” |
| 2016 | Angel from Hell | Linda | Recurring Cast |
| 2016–20 | Elena of Avalor | Doña Paloma (voice) | Recurring Cast: Season 1-3 |
| 2017 | Celebrity Family Feud | Herself | Episode: "Episode #4.2" |
| Lopez | Herself | Episode: "George Dates His Daughter" | |
| Law & Order True Crime | Marta Cano | Recurring Cast | |
| 2018 | Overthinking with Kat & June | Lucinda Renoir Souza | Episode: "Eggshell" |
| 2019 | The Fix | Mayor Stephanie Russo | Episode: "Scandal" |
| 2019–20 | Alexa & Katie | Dr. Corts | Recurring Cast: Season 3, Guest: Season 4 |
| 2019–21 | Animal Kingdom | Candice | Guest Cast: Season 4-5 |
| 2019–22 | Undone | Camila Diaz | Main Cast |
| 2020 | Connecting... | Maria | Episode: "Day 135" |
| 2021–23 | With Love | Beatriz Diaz[4] | Main Cast: Season 1, Recurring Cast: Season 2 |
| 2022 | Lopez vs. Lopez | Connie | Episode: "Lopez vs. Christmas" |
| 2023 | How I Met Your Father | Raquel | Recurring Cast: Season 2 |
| 2024 | Doctor Odyssey | Caroline Von Dreesen | Episode: “Plastic Surgery Week” |
| 2025 | Celebrity Weakest Link | Herself | Episode: “TV Moms” |
| 9-1-1 | Mother | Episode: “Seismic Shifts” |
Music video
[edit]| Year | Artist | Song | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | David Bowie | “Time Will Crawl” | Dancer |
Awards and nominations
[edit]- Soap Opera Digest Awards
- 1991: Outstanding Female Newcomer (Daytime) – Santa Barbara (Nominated)
- ALMA Awards
- 1998: Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series – Union Square (Nominated)
- 2007: Outstanding Actress (Television Series, Mini-Series or Television Movie) – George Lopez (Nominated)
- 2011: Favorite TV Actress - Supporting Role – Switched at Birth (Nominated)
- 2012: Favorite TV Actress - Supporting Role – Switched at Birth (Won)
- Young Artist Awards
- 2004: Most Popular Mom & Pop in a Television Series – George Lopez (Nominated) with George Lopez
- Imagen Awards
- 2004: Best Actress in Television Drama – American Family (Nominated)
- 2004: Best Actress in Television Comedy – George Lopez (Won)
- 2005: Best Actress (Television) – George Lopez (Nominated)
- 2006: Best Actress (Television) – George Lopez (Nominated)
- 2007: Best Actress (Television) – George Lopez (Nominated)
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Pegg, Nicholas (October 2016). The Complete David Bowie New Edition: Expanded and Updated. Titan Books.
- ^ "Constance Marie". CBS News. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
- ^ Marie, Constance (August 11, 2010). "No "MOO" for Me and Luna Marie". ConstanceMarie.net. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
- ^ Petski, Denise (June 11, 2021). "'With Love': Constance Marie, Benito Martinez, Vincent Rodriguez III Join Gloria Calderón Kellett's Amazon Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
External links
[edit]Constance Marie
View on GrokipediaEarly life and background
Childhood and family
Constance Marie Lopez was born on September 9, 1965, in East Los Angeles, California.[11][12] As a third-generation Mexican-American, Marie traces her family roots back to 1853 in New Mexico, a heritage marked by generational assimilation that led to the loss of cultural practices, including the Spanish language spoken neither by her nor her mother during her upbringing.[13] This background instilled in her a sense of cultural identity shaped by the historical phenomenon of "the border crossing us," where Mexican families became American through territorial changes, yet faced pressures to conform that stripped away traditions like quinceañeras, which her family could not afford.[13] Marie was raised in a tight-knit, working-class household by her single mother and grandmother, frequently moving between apartments in East Los Angeles amid financial challenges.[14] This environment fostered resilience and close familial bonds, with her mother and grandmother providing unwavering support for her early artistic interests despite limited resources. Details on her formal education remain sparse, but the family's encouragement allowed her to explore creative pursuits from a young age, laying the foundation for her later focus on dance during adolescence.[14]Dance training and early performances
Constance Marie began her involvement in dance during her teenage years in the vibrant underground break-dancing scene of Los Angeles, where she developed her skills through street and hip-hop styles rather than formal training.[15][16] Her Mexican-American heritage, rooted in East Los Angeles, infused her early performances with a dynamic energy reflective of emerging urban dance forms.[16] At age 19, she performed as a dancer in the Japanese musical Cosmopolis, composed by Ryuichi Sakamoto. Marie launched her professional dance career in the 1980s, securing roles as a backup dancer in music videos, commercials, and live shows for various artists, capitalizing on the rising popularity of breakdancing and hip-hop.[16][3] A breakthrough opportunity arrived in 1987 when, at the age of 21, she was chosen from among 500 aspiring dancers to perform on David Bowie's Glass Spider Tour, a major production that highlighted her talents.[15][3] The tour encompassed 87 performances across 15 countries, including stops in North America, Europe, Australia, and other regions, providing Marie with extensive international exposure.[17] By the late 1980s, after returning from the tour, Marie started to nurture aspirations toward acting while maintaining her dance commitments in Los Angeles.[15][3]Professional career
Breakthrough in film and television
Constance Marie made her acting debut in the 1988 film Salsa, where she portrayed a featured dancer, leveraging her extensive background in dance to secure the role. The dance-centric production marked her transition from performing arts to on-screen work, with choreographer Kenny Ortega playing a key role in introducing her to industry figures.[11] In the early 1990s, Marie built her resume through guest appearances on television series such as Santa Barbara (1989–1990), where she played Nikki Alvarez, and Dirty Dancing (1988–1989) as Penny Rivera, alongside minor film roles including a dancer in Glass Spider (1988) and a supporting part in 12:01 (1993).[11] These opportunities often highlighted her dance skills but kept her in peripheral positions, reflecting the limited visibility for emerging Latina performers at the time. Her breakthrough came with the 1997 biopic Selena, in which she portrayed Marcela Quintanilla, the mother of Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, earning critical praise for her authentic depiction of a supportive yet conflicted family matriarch.[18] The role in the Warner Bros. production, directed by Gregory Nava, significantly elevated her profile in feature films and showcased her versatility beyond dance-centric characters.[19] As a Latina actress navigating Hollywood in the late 1980s and 1990s, Marie encountered substantial challenges, including persistent typecasting into stereotypical roles such as victims or immigrants, which she described as belittling and unrepresentative of diverse Latino experiences.[20] She actively sought projects that positively reflected her heritage, avoiding those that reinforced negative tropes amid an industry reluctant to cast American-born Latinas in nuanced parts.[20]Major television roles
Constance Marie's early experiences in film provided a foundation that led to her transition into prominent television roles during the 2000s.[21] One of her most notable television performances was as Angie Lopez in the ABC sitcom George Lopez, which ran from 2002 to 2007. In the series, Marie portrayed the devoted wife of comedian George Lopez's character and mother to their two children, often serving as the emotional anchor in a bustling Latino family facing everyday challenges like work pressures and teenage rebellion. Her portrayal emphasized Angie's strength, humor, and nurturing qualities, contributing to the show's appeal as a family-oriented comedy that highlighted cultural representation.[22] Marie continued her television success with the recurring role of Regina Vasquez in the Freeform drama Switched at Birth, spanning 2011 to 2017. As the biological mother of one of the switched-at-birth daughters, Vasquez was depicted as a resilient single parent grappling with family secrets, adoption revelations, and the integration of deaf culture into her household after her daughter's discovery of her true heritage. The character arc explored themes of identity, forgiveness, and advocacy, with Marie's performance drawing praise for authentically capturing the complexities of multicultural family dynamics and personal growth.[23][24] Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, Marie made impactful guest appearances that showcased her versatility, including as the ambitious appointee Gabby Sanchez in the ABC comedy Spin City in 1997, where she played a no-nonsense political figure clashing with the mayor's team. She also appeared as Inez Cortez in the Fox legal dramedy Ally McBeal in 2001, portraying a determined mother in a custody-related episode. Later, in 2017, she had a recurring role as Marta Cano, the aunt of the Menendez brothers, in NBC's Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders, adding depth to the true-crime narrative through her depiction of familial loyalty amid tragedy.[25][26][27] In recent years, Marie has evolved into more diverse projects, including the lead role of Beatriz Diaz in Amazon Prime Video's romantic dramedy With Love from 2021 to 2023. As a widowed matriarch navigating love, family holidays, and cultural traditions in a Latinx household, the character reflected Marie's ability to blend humor with heartfelt moments in a multi-generational story. Additionally, she provided the voice of Camila Diaz, the supportive mother, in the animated series Undone from 2019 to 2022, where her performance enhanced the show's exploration of time, mental health, and familial bonds through rotoscope animation. She guest-starred as Connie in Lopez vs. Lopez in 2022 and 2023, portrayed Raquel in How I Met Your Father in 2023, played Caroline Von Dreesen in Doctor Odyssey in 2024, appeared as a mother in 9-1-1 in 2025, and joined the cast of Netflix's A Man on the Inside Season 2 as Vanessa in 2025. These roles underscore her mid-career shift toward nuanced, culturally rich portrayals in both live-action and animated formats.[28][29][8][9]Film roles and other projects
Constance Marie's film career spans dance-infused musicals, family dramas, and animated features, where she frequently embodies resilient Latina characters navigating cultural and familial challenges. Her debut in cinema came with a supporting role as a dancer in the 1988 musical Salsa, directed by Boaz Davidson, leveraging her extensive background in dance to contribute to the film's vibrant portrayal of Latin dance culture. In the mid-1990s, Marie took on more prominent dramatic roles, beginning with My Family (1995), a generational saga about a Mexican-American family in East Los Angeles, where she played Toni, a passionate Chicana activist involved in labor rights and community organizing. The film, directed by Gregory Nava, highlighted themes of immigration and identity, with Marie's performance adding depth to the ensemble cast led by Jimmy Smits and Edward James Olmos. Marie received particular acclaim for her portrayal of Marcela Quintanilla, the devoted mother of Tejano superstar Selena, in the 1997 biographical drama Selena, again directed by Nava. Starring opposite Jennifer Lopez in the lead, Marie's role captured the emotional core of familial support amid rising fame, contributing to the film's success as a cultural milestone for Latina representation in Hollywood.[18] She appeared in the 2000 romantic comedy-drama Dancing in September as Teresa Lopez, a television writer navigating racial dynamics in the industry. Building on these experiences, she appeared in the 2001 romantic comedy Tortilla Soup, a loose remake of Eat Drink Man Woman, as Leticia Naranjo, the eldest daughter in a tight-knit Mexican-American family run by a widowed chef. Her character navigated professional ambitions and romantic pursuits, emphasizing themes of tradition versus modernity in Latina households.[30] In voice acting, Marie lent her talents to animation, notably as the fierce matriarch Imelda in the 2011 DreamWorks feature Puss in Boots, a spin-off from the Shrek series, where her character provided grounding wisdom and humor to the swashbuckling tale.[31] She further expanded into animated projects with recurring voice work as the ambitious and scheming Doña Paloma in Disney's Elena of Avalor (2016–2020), a series centered on a Latina princess, allowing her to explore villainous nuances in a family-friendly context. Throughout her filmography, Marie's roles have evolved from energetic supporting parts in cultural celebrations to complex portrayals of Latina mothers, activists, and mentors in independent and mainstream cinema, consistently advancing nuanced depictions of strength and heritage. Her established television presence has occasionally influenced casting in these projects, broadening her reach into diverse media. Limited details exist on her theater work, with no major stage productions documented, and while she has appeared in commercials, these remain ancillary to her on-screen achievements. No significant new streaming films featuring Marie have been released as of 2025.Personal life
Relationships and family
Constance Marie was in a long-term relationship with yoga instructor Kent Katich, lasting approximately 15 years from around 2000 until their separation in September 2015.[32][33] The couple became engaged but never married, sharing a close partnership centered on family life in California.[34] During their relationship, Marie and Katich welcomed their daughter, Luna Marie Katich, on February 5, 2009, following a challenging fertility journey that spanned over three years.[35] Starting at age 38, Marie attempted natural conception for a year, endured two miscarriages, and underwent six unsuccessful rounds of Clomid combined with intrauterine insemination before turning to in vitro fertilization (IVF).[36][37] Her third IVF cycle, supported by acupuncture, resulted in a successful pregnancy via C-section, which she described as a "miracle" after previous failed attempts.[36] Following their separation, Marie and Katich have maintained an amicable co-parenting arrangement for Luna, prioritizing her well-being while emphasizing family privacy in public discussions.[32] As of 2025, Marie remains single, devoting significant focus to raising her now-teenage daughter, with occasional insights shared about balancing motherhood alongside her acting commitments, such as during the filming of Switched at Birth.[38][39]Health and advocacy
Constance Marie has openly shared her personal struggles with infertility, which began in her late 30s when she discovered blocked fallopian tubes that prevented natural conception. After experiencing two miscarriages and six unsuccessful intrauterine insemination (IUI) attempts using Clomid, she turned to in vitro fertilization (IVF) under the care of Dr. Richard Marrs, enduring self-administered hormone injections and multiple egg retrieval cycles that yielded 13 to 18 eggs each time. Despite two failed fresh embryo transfers due to hormonal disruptions affecting implantation, she successfully conceived via a frozen embryo transfer following a detox period, leading to the birth of her daughter Luna in 2009.[37] Through interviews and public platforms, Marie has advocated for greater fertility awareness, emphasizing the emotional isolation of the journey and encouraging women to support one another amid similar challenges; she has expressed plans to write a book on her experiences to provide hope and humor to others facing infertility. Post-2010, her advocacy extended to broader women's health issues, particularly for Latinas, including support for Planned Parenthood to ensure body autonomy and access to reproductive services, as well as involvement with the East Los Angeles Women's Center, which addresses rape and domestic violence in the Latinx community. At the 2022 "Bans Off Our Bodies" rally in Los Angeles, she spoke about her own abortions in cases of no fetal heartbeat, stating, "Without access to an abortion, I would not be able to heal," highlighting the critical need for reproductive rights to prevent unnecessary suffering.[16][40] Marie adopted a vegetarian lifestyle over 30 years ago, leaning toward veganism, motivated by health concerns such as mercury exposure in fish during her fertility treatments, and she promotes it alongside wellness practices for overall well-being and environmental benefits. Her routine incorporates yoga, influenced by her longtime partner Kent Katich, a yoga instructor with whom she was involved from 2000 until their 2015 separation, helping her maintain an active lifestyle that includes gym sessions, hikes, and nature walks. In discussions tied to her acting career, Marie has addressed mental health pressures, such as the emotional toll of roles that belittle Latinx culture and women, noting in a 2021 interview that constant exposure to such portrayals made her feel undervalued and prompted self-reflection on industry inequities; by 2025, she continued emphasizing mental self-check-ins during the pandemic and high-stress periods, viewing them as essential for resilience in Hollywood.[16][41][20]Recognition and legacy
Awards and nominations
Constance Marie has received several accolades throughout her career, particularly for her portrayals of Latina characters in television, with a focus on honors from organizations recognizing Latino and women's achievements in media.[42] In 2004, she won the Imagen Award for Best Actress in a Television Comedy for her role as Angie Lopez on George Lopez. She also received multiple nominations from the National Council of La Raza (ALMA) Awards during the 2000s for her work on George Lopez, including nods for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006.[43] For her performance as Regina Vasquez on Switched at Birth, Marie earned significant recognition in the early 2010s. In 2012, she won the ALMA Award for Favorite TV Actress - Supporting Role and the Gracie Award for Outstanding Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Drama Series.[44] The following year, in 2013, she secured the Imagen Award for Best Supporting Actress - Television.[42] She was also nominated for the Imagen Award in the same category in 2015.[43]| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Imagen Award | Best Actress in a Television Comedy | George Lopez | Won |
| 2003–2006 | ALMA Award | Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series | George Lopez | Nominated (multiple)[43] |
| 2012 | ALMA Award | Favorite TV Actress - Supporting Role | Switched at Birth | Won[44] |
| 2012 | Gracie Award | Outstanding Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Drama Series | Switched at Birth | Won[44] |
| 2013 | Imagen Award | Best Supporting Actress - Television | Switched at Birth | Won[42] |
| 2015 | Imagen Award | Best Supporting Actress - Television | Switched at Birth | Nominated[43] |