Carmen Zapata facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Carmen Zapata
Born	Carmen Margarita Zapata (1927-07-15)July 15, 1927 New York City, New York, U.S.
Died	January 5, 2014(2014-01-05) (aged 86) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1946–2002
Spouse(s)	Ron Friedman ​ ​ (m. 1957; div. 1963)​

Carmen Margarita Zapata (born July 15, 1927 – died January 5, 2014) was a famous American actress. Many people called her "The First Lady of the Hispanic Theater." She was well-known for her role in Villa Alegre, a children's TV show on PBS that taught in both English and Spanish. Carmen Zapata also helped start and lead the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts in Los Angeles. She was active in the Chicano movement during the 1960s and 1970s, which worked for Mexican-American civil rights. Carmen was born in New York City. Her father, Julio Zapata, was from Mexico, and her mother, Ramona Roca, was from Argentina.

Carmen Zapata's Acting Life

Carmen Zapata started her acting career on Broadway in 1946. She was part of the singing and dancing group in the musical Oklahoma!. Over her career, she appeared in more than 300 movies and TV shows. Some of these included Batman: The Animated Series, Married... with Children, and the movie Sister Act. She also played Carmen Castillo in the TV series Santa Barbara.

One of her most famous roles was "Doña Luz" in Villa Alegre. This was a children's show that taught in both English and Spanish. Carmen played this role for nine years, helping many kids learn.

Helping Actors and Artists

In 1972, Carmen Zapata helped create the Screen Actors Guild Ethnic Minority Committee. She worked with other actors like Ricardo Montalbán, Edith Diaz, and Henry Darrow. This committee aimed to support actors from different ethnic backgrounds.

She was also one of the first members of "Nosotros." This organization was started by Ricardo Montalbán to help Hispanic actors.

In 1973, Carmen Zapata co-founded the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts (BFA). She started it with Margarita Galban, an actress and writer from Cuba, and Estela Scarlata, a set designer from Argentina. The BFA helps bring Spanish-language plays and stories to a wider audience.

In 1976, Carmen Zapata starred in a TV show called Viva Valdez. It was a comedy series about a Mexican-American family living in East Los Angeles. She played a main role alongside Rodolfo Hoyos, Jr..

Bringing Spanish Stories to English Speakers

In 1986, Carmen Zapata and her writing partner, Michael Dewell, translated plays by Federico García Lorca. He was a famous Spanish writer. Their translations were published by Bantam Books. This was part of Carmen's goal to share Spanish literature with people who speak English.

Awards and Honors for Carmen Zapata

Carmen Zapata received many awards for her work in the arts and for helping others.

• In 1983, she got the Humanitarian Crystal Award from Women in Film.
• In 1997, she received a Hispanic Heritage Lifetime Achievement Award. This honored her long career in the arts and her work with the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts.
• She was nominated for an Emmy Award twice. Once for her role in Medical Center and another time for the film Carola.
• In 1981, she received the Silver Achievement Award from the Young Women's Christian Association.
• In 1983, she was given the Ruben Salazar Award by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF).
• In 1985, the Hispanic Women's Council named her Woman of the Year.
• In 1986, she won the Best Translation Award from the journal Dramalogue.
• She received an honorary doctorate degree from Sierra University.
• In 1991, she was one of nine artists in California to receive the Governor's Award for the Arts.
• In 1999, the King of Spain, Juan Carlos I, honored her. She received El Lazo de Dama del Orden del Mérito Civil, which is a special award for civil merit.
• In 2003, Carmen Zapata received a star on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Carmen Zapata's Charitable Work

Throughout her life, Carmen Zapata was very involved in helping her community. She was part of many different groups and charities.

• She served on the board of the United Way, which helps many people in need.
• She also worked with the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation.
• Carmen was on the KCET Community Advisory Board and supported the Boy Scouts of America.
• She was a member of the National Conference of Christians and Jews and the National Repertory Theatre Foundation.
• She also served on the City of Los Angeles Mayor's Committee on the Arts and the California Arts Council's Ethnic Advisory Minority Panel.
• Carmen was a panel member for the Expansion Arts Program of the National Endowment for the Arts.
• She was also part of the Los Angeles Special Olympics Events Committee.

Carmen Zapata was a practicing Roman Catholic and a registered member of the Democratic Party.

Carmen Zapata's Death

Carmen Zapata passed away in Los Angeles on January 5, 2014. She was 86 years old and died from heart disease.

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Carmen Zapata para niños

• List of stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
• Bilingual Foundation of the Arts