Rosanna DeSoto facts for kids

Rosanna DeSoto is an American actress born on September 2, 1950. She has starred in many movies and TV shows. Rosanna DeSoto is most famous for her roles in the films Stand and Deliver and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.

In Stand and Deliver, she won an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female for her acting. In Star Trek VI, she played Azetbur, who was the daughter of a Klingon leader. She also played Ritchie Valens' mother, Connie Valenzuela, in the movie La Bamba. Another important role was in Family Business.

Rosanna DeSoto has also appeared in many TV series. Her first TV role was in A.E.S. Hudson Street. She has been a guest star on popular shows like Murder, She Wrote, Melrose Place, and Law & Order.

About Rosanna DeSoto's Early Life

Rosanna DeSoto was born in San Jose, California, on September 2, 1950. Her parents were immigrants from Michoacán, Mexico. She grew up in a big family with four brothers and four sisters. When she was young, she helped her family by picking fruit, especially apples.

Education and College Years

Rosanna DeSoto went to San Jose State University. She studied two subjects: Spanish literature and drama. While at college, she was part of the Light Opera Company. She spent time rehearsing and performing in their shows.

Rosanna DeSoto's Acting Career

Rosanna DeSoto started her film career in 1979 with the movie The In-Laws. She acted alongside famous stars like Nick Nolte in Cannery Row (1982). She won an award called the Golden Eagle Award for Best Actress for her role in The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez (1982).

Key Movie Roles

In 1987, DeSoto appeared in the movie La Bamba. She played Connie Valenzuela, the mother of the real-life musician Ritchie Valens. The next year, she worked with actor Lou Diamond Phillips again in Stand and Deliver (1988). In this movie, she played Fabiola Escalante, the wife of teacher Jaime Escalante. Her performance earned her a special award.

In 1989, she acted with Dustin Hoffman in Family Business. She also played Azetbur in the science fiction film Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country in 1991.

Television Appearances

Rosanna DeSoto has been in many television shows. She was a regular on the short-lived series A.E.S. Hudson Street and The Redd Foxx Show. She also made guest appearances on shows like Cannon, Kung Fu, Barney Miller, and The Bold and the Beautiful.

Rosanna DeSoto's Personal Life

Rosanna DeSoto has been married twice. Her first marriage was to Jonathan Taplin from 1974 to 1978. They have one daughter named Daniela.

Since 1980, she has been married to David S. Ward. They also have a daughter, Sylvana Ward Durrett. Rosanna DeSoto is also the aunt of Ken Ramoz, who is an actor.

See also

In Spanish: Rosanna DeSoto para niños