Rosanna DeSoto facts for kids

Rosanna DeSoto (born September 2, 1950) is an American actress. She has appeared in many movies and TV shows. She is famous for her roles in the film Stand and Deliver and as Azetbur in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. For Stand and Deliver, she won an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female.

Rosanna DeSoto also played Connie Valenzuela, the mother of Ritchie Valens, in the movie La Bamba (1987). She was also in Family Business (1989) as the wife of Vito McMullen, played by Dustin Hoffman.

Her first TV role was in the series A.E.S. Hudson Street in 1978. She also starred in The Redd Foxx Show in 1986. Rosanna DeSoto has been a guest star on many popular TV shows. These include Cannon, Kung Fu, Murder, She Wrote, and Law & Order.

Early Life and School

Rosanna DeSoto was born in San Jose, California, on September 2, 1950. Her parents were immigrants from Michoacán, Mexico. She grew up with four brothers and four sisters, making her one of nine children. When she was young, she helped pick fruit, especially apples.

She went to San Jose State University. There, she studied both Spanish literature and drama. While at the university, Rosanna DeSoto practiced and performed with the Light Opera Company.

Acting Career Highlights

Rosanna DeSoto started her movie career in 1979 with The In-Laws. In 1982, she appeared with Nick Nolte and Debra Winger in Cannery Row. She won the Golden Eagle Award for Best Actress for her role in The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez (1982).

In 1986, she played Mrs. Lyons in About Last Night, alongside Rob Lowe and Demi Moore. That same year, she was a waitress named Diana Olmos in the TV show The Redd Foxx Show.

Famous Movie Roles

In 1987, Rosanna DeSoto was in the movie La Bamba. This film told the true story of musician Ritchie Valens. She played Connie Valenzuela, Ritchie Valens' mother. The next year, she worked again with Lou Diamond Phillips (who played Ritchie Valens) in Stand and Deliver (1988). In this movie, she played Fabiola Escalante, the wife of a dedicated teacher named Jaime Escalante. Her amazing performance earned her an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female.

In 1989, she played the wife of Dustin Hoffman's character in Family Business. She also had a main role in the movie Face of the Enemy that year. A very well-known role for her was Azetbur in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991). She also appeared as Linda in The 24 Hour Woman (1999). She has also acted in the TV soap opera, The Bold and the Beautiful.

Rosanna DeSoto also wrote and performed in a play called “A Woman in Progress/Canto de Oro, Cuento de Mujer.” It was shown in New York in 2005.

Family Life

Rosanna DeSoto was married to Jonathan Taplin from 1974 to 1978. They have one daughter named Daniela, who was born in June 1976.

Since September 20, 1980, she has been married to David S. Ward. They also have a daughter, Sylvana Ward Durrett, born in 1981.

Rosanna DeSoto is also the aunt of Ken Ramoz, who acted in movies like Gettysburg (1993).

Filmography

Film

Television

See also

In Spanish: Rosanna DeSoto para niños