Belita Moreno facts for kids

Belita Moreno (born November 1, 1949) is an American actress. She is famous for playing funny and memorable characters on television. Many people know her as Benny Lopez, the tough but loving mom on the sitcom George Lopez. She also played Lydia Markham on the popular show Perfect Strangers.

Early Life and Education

Belita Moreno was born in Dallas, Texas. She loved acting from a young age and decided to study it in college. She went to Southern Methodist University and earned a degree in Theatre.

To improve her acting skills, she also studied at the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts in California. There, she performed in musicals like Once Upon a Mattress, which helped start her journey as a professional actress.

Acting Career

Starting in Hollywood

When Moreno moved to Hollywood, California, she quickly met the famous director Robert Altman. He cast her in three of his movies: 3 Women, A Wedding, and A Perfect Couple. This was a big start for her career in film.

Over the years, she appeared in many other movies. Some of her well-known film roles were in Mommie Dearest, Clear and Present Danger, and the comedy Grosse Pointe Blank.

Success on Television

Moreno became a familiar face on TV. From 1986 to 1992, she was a regular cast member on the hit comedy show Perfect Strangers. She played two different characters during the show's run, Edwina Twinkacetti and Lydia Markham.

Her most famous TV role came in 2002 when she was cast as Benny Lopez on the show George Lopez. She played the main character's grumpy and hilarious mother for all six seasons of the show.

She has also guest-starred in many other popular TV series, including The Golden Girls, Family Ties, Full House, and Melrose Place. More recently, she appeared on the Disney Channel show Wizards of Waverly Place.

Work in Theater

Besides movies and TV, Moreno has a strong background in theater. She often worked with the award-winning writer Beth Henley. Henley even wrote roles specifically for Moreno because she admired her acting talent. Moreno starred in the first-ever performances of several of Henley's plays, including The Miss Firecracker Contest and The Lucky Spot.

Acting Coach

In addition to her own acting, Moreno has worked as an acting coach since the 1990s. She has helped the actors on many famous movies, including:

• Jerry Maguire
• Almost Famous
• The Parent Trap (1998 version)
• Rush Hour 2
• 17 Again

Selected Filmography

Here are some of Belita Moreno's most notable roles in movies and on television.

Film

Television