Maria Canals-Barrera Explained

Maria Canals-Barrera
Other Names:Maria Canals Barrera
Birth Name:Maria Pilar Canals
Birth Date:28 September 1966[1]
Birth Place:Miami, Florida, U.S.
Alma Mater:University of Miami
Occupation:Actress
Years Active:1990–present
Children:2

Maria Canals-Barrera is an American actress. She is known for starring as Theresa Russo in the Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place (2007–2012), Connie Torres in Camp Rock (2008) and (2010), and Daniela in the ABC comedy series Cristela (2014–2015).

Canals-Barrera has voiced Shayera Hol/Hawkgirl in Justice League, Justice League Unlimited and Static Shock as part of the DC Animated Universe, Sunset Boulevardez in The Proud Family (2001–2005) and Paulina in Danny Phantom (2004–2007).

Early life

Canals-Barrera was born to Cuban parents of Catalan descent.[2] Canals-Barrera also speaks Spanish and took drama classes in junior high school.[3]

Canals-Barrera graduated from Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School before winning a theatrical scholarship to the University of Miami.[4]

Career

In her early years, Canals-Barrera worked extensively in theater in both Miami and Los Angeles. In 1990, she starred as Amanda in a production of The Glass Menagerie.[5] In 1992, she starred in a production of Brian Michael Riley's A Cradle of Sparrows.[6] The same year, she began starring on Telemundo Spanish-language telenovela Marielena.[4] She later had the recurring role in the short-lived 1993 Fox comedy-drama series, Key West. During the 1990s, Canals-Barrera also guest starred in a number of television series, such as 21 Jump Street, Murder, She Wrote, Almost Perfect, and Caroline in the City. In 1996, she starred as the title character in a production of Hedda Gabler.[7] The next year she played Digna in a production of Guillermo Reyes' Chilean Holiday.[8]

Her first regular role was on the short-lived NBC sitcom The Tony Danza Show in 1997.[4] In early 2000s, Canals-Barrera had supporting roles in films America's Sweethearts, The Master of Disguise and Imagining Argentina. She has gained much recognition with comic book fans in recent years for her role as Hawkgirl/Shayera Hol on Bruce Timm's Justice League animated series (2001–04) and Justice League Unlimited (2005–06). She also had a recurring role in Static Shock as news reporter Shelly Sandoval, and in Danny Phantom as Paulina, the title character's high school crush. She also performed the voice of Mercedes "Meche" Colomar in the 1998 video game Grim Fandango. Canals-Barrera also played incidental characters in two episodes on the TV series The Boondocks ("Grandad's Fight" and "Home Alone").

From 2007 to 2012, Canals-Barrera co-starred as Theresa Russo, the mother of lead character Alex Russo (played by Selena Gomez), in the Disney Channel family sitcom Wizards of Waverly Place. She also co-starred in , a 2009 Disney Channel Original film based on the series. Canals-Barrera also appeared in the Disney Channel Original Movies Camp Rock (2008) and (2010) as Connie Torres, the mother of Demi Lovato's character. In 2011, she appeared opposite Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts in the romantic comedy film Larry Crowne.

In 2014, Canals-Barrera was cast as Hilda in the ABC soap opera Members Only, created by Susannah Grant.[9] However, it was cancelled by the network before its premiere. Later in that year she joined the cast of ABC comedy series Cristela, aas Daniela Gonzaler.[10]

On August 27, 2018, Canals-Barrera was cast as the mother of Fernando Hernandez-Guerrero-Fernandez-Guerrero on the Netflix series Fuller House.[11]

Personal life

Barrera has been married to actor David Barrera since 1999, with whom she has two daughters.[12]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1993Cop and a HalfMrs. Bobo #2
1995My FamilyYoung Irene[13]
2001America's SweetheartsAdinah
2002Bad BoyWoman at bar
2002The Master of DisguiseSophia
2003Imagining ArgentinaEsme Palomares
2003Scooby-Doo! and the Monster of MexicoSofia OteroVoice, direct-to-video
2011Larry CrowneLala Pinedo
2012Batman: The Dark Knight Returns – Part 1Ellen YindelVoice, direct-to-video[14]
2013Batman: The Dark Knight Returns – Part 2
2013Night of the HipstersBarbaraShort film
2016God's Not Dead 2Catherine Thawley
2017Bianca ReyesVoice, direct-to-video
2019Sweet InspirationsBonnie

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
199021 Jump StreetRosinaEpisode: "La Bizca"
1991Super ForceLori Wechsler2 episodes
1992–1993Corte TropicalAdrianita
1992–1994MarielenaNancyRecurring role
1993Harlan & MerleenCarmenTelevision film
1993Key WestFigRecurring role, 5 episodes
1994ViperCarlaEpisode: "Wheels of Fire"
1994Murder, She WroteCarmenEpisode: "Wheel of Death"
1995Almost PerfectCarmenEpisode: "You Like Me, You Really Like Me"
1996Goode BehaviorDeniseEpisode: "Goode Feelings"
1997–1998The Tony Danza ShowCarmen CruzMain role, 7 episodes
1998Caroline in the CityMariaEpisode: "Caroline and the Toothbrush"
1998Veronica's ClosetDannie Episode: "Veronica's a Partner Now"
1999Beggars and ChoosersYolandaRecurring role
2000–2003Static ShockShelly Sandoval, HawkgirlVoice, 14 episodes
2000Pepper AnnSeñorita VivasVoice, episode: "The Spanish Imposition"
2000That's LifeEpisode: "Bad Hair Week"
2001PopularCandy BoxEpisode: "Fire in the Hole"
2001The Brothers GarcíaMs. AztecaEpisode: "Love Is Very... Confusing"
2001–2002 Clifford the Big Red DogTeresa, TonyaVoice, 2 episodes
2001–2005The Proud Family Sunset BoulevardezVoice, 19 episodes
2001–2004Justice League Hawkgirl, LivewireVoice, main role
2002American FamilyChristyRecurring role, 5 episodes
2003Miss MatchStore ManagerEpisode: "Santa, Baby"
2004Curb Your Enthusiasm Dalilah the Hygienist 2 episodes
2004–2007Danny PhantomPaulina, additional voicesVoice, 15 episodes
2005–2006Justice League UnlimitedHawkgirlVoice, 11 episodes
2005The Proud Family Movie Sunset Boulevardez, Newscaster PeanutVoice, television film
2005–2007The BoondocksSpanish TV Reporter, Costa Rican WomanVoice, 2 episodes
2006George Lopez ClaudiaEpisode: "A Funeral Brings George to His Niece"
2006Handy MannyPeggy SalazarVoice, episode: "Supremoguy/Tool Talk"
2007The LoopAgent DeniseEpisode: "Yeah, Presents"
2007–2012Wizards of Waverly PlaceTheresa RussoMain role, 84 episodes
2008Camp RockConnie TorresTelevision film
2009Special Agent OsoAdditional voicesEpisode: "Octo-Puzzle/One Suitcase Is Now Enough"
2009Theresa RussoTelevision film
2010 Connie Torres Television film
2011Generator RexValentinaVoice, episode: "Outpost"
2012Pound PuppiesDr. TrudyVoice, 3 episodes
2013Theresa RussoTelevision special
2014Baby DaddyCarol BeltranEpisode: "Bonnie's Unreal Estate"
2014Gang RelatedMarciela Acosta2 episodes
2014–15CristelaDanielaMain role, 22 episodes[15]
2015Members OnlyHildaMain role; unaired television series
2016Ultimate Spider-ManRio MoralesVoice, 3 episodes
2016A Bronx LifeAngelaTelevision film
2016 Last Man StandingSherylEpisode: "Where There's Smoke, There's Ire"
2016The Big Bang TheoryIsabellaEpisode: "The Brain Bowl Incubation"
2017Dr. VargasVoice, television film
2017TriangleAlice
2018The Wedding Do OverIrene AndersonTelevision film
2018Knight SquadSaffronEpisode: "Parent Teacher Knight"
2018Young & HungryMarisolEpisode: "Young & Mexico, Part 1"
2018Fuller HouseNadiaEpisode: "Perfect Sons"
2022PilarVoice, 4 episodes
2022KenanLoretta2 episodes
2022Side HustleRoxie RockhartEpisode: "Return of Uncle Nedward"
2022Lopez vs LopezLilyEpisode: "Lopez vs. Birthday"
2022–presentSunset BoulevardezVoice[16]
2023The Morning ShowMercedes2 episodes
2024DoraAbuelaVoice[17]

Notes and References

  1. https://www.allamericanspeakers.com/celebritytalentbios/Maria+Canals-Barrera/393721
  2. Web site: Maria Canals-Barrera on Twitter. November 2, 2018.
  3. Web site: 411 Movies Interview: Maria Canals-Barrera . 411mania.com . October 18, 2007 . 2012-12-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121002143018/http://www.411mania.com/movies/columns/61733/411-Movies-Interview:-Maria-Canals-Barrera.htm . October 2, 2012 . dead .
  4. News: Jackson . Terry . South Florida actors ready for prime time, Danza show . January 5, 2022 . The Miami Herald . July 24, 1997 . 3F.
  5. News: Dolen . Christine . This Glass Menagerie is shattered . January 5, 2022 . The Miami Herald . February 19, 1990 . 5C.
  6. News: Dolen . Christine . Acme opens festival, new home with A Cradle of Sparrows . January 5, 2022 . The Miami Herald . July 14, 1992 . 2E.
  7. News: Collins . Scott . East L.A.'s 'Gabler' Treads Lightly on Heavy Material . January 5, 2022 . The Los Angeles Times . April 11, 1996 . F10.
  8. News: Shirley . Don . Taking a 'Chilean Holiday' . January 5, 2022 . The Los Angeles Times . May 1, 1997.
  9. Web site: 'Wizards of Waverly Place's' Maria Canals-Barrera Joins Susannah Grant's ABC Series. March 25, 2014. Variety. 2014-10-12.
  10. Web site: ABC Medianet. 2014-10-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20141013081436/http://www.abcmedianet.com/web/showpage/showpage.aspx?program_id=003859&type=Canals. October 13, 2014. dead.
  11. Web site: Swift . Andy . Fuller House Is Expanding [Spoiler]'s Family Tree in Season 4 ]. TVLine . 27 August 2018 . 27 August 2018.
  12. Web site: Maria Canals-Barrera on Twitter. November 2, 2018.
  13. News: Rodriguez . Rene . As a 'family' moves along, Chicano epic stirs the soul . January 5, 2022 . The Miami Herald . May 3, 1995 . 5E.
  14. Web site: Maria Canals (visual voices guide) . September 10, 2023 . Behind The Voice Actors. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.
  15. News: Helmore . Edward . Lead roles for Latin actors as US television notes shift in social and economic power . January 5, 2022 . The Guardian . October 25, 2014.
  16. Web site: 'The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder' coming to Disney+ on Feb. 23. UPI. January 14, 2022. January 15, 2022.
  17. Web site: Milligan . Mercedes . Trailer: CG-Animated 'Dora' Adventure Begins April 12 on Paramount+ . 2024-03-02 . animationmagazine.net.
  18. Web site: Paramount+ | Dora | About|website=paramountpressexpress.com|access-date=February 29, 2024}}[17] |}

    Video games

    ]| Mercedes 'Meche' Colomar| rowspan="4" | Voice|-| 2011| | rowspan="2" | She-Hulk|-| 2011| Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3|-| 2015| Infinite Crisis| Hawkgirl|}

    Awards and nominations

    YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRefs
    1998Ovation AwardOutstanding ActressChanges of Heartstyle=text-align:center;
    1998ALMA AwardOutstanding Actress in a Comedy SeriesThe Tony Danza Show
    2002ALMA AwardOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Television SeriesThe Brothers Garcia
    2008ALMA AwardOutstanding Female Performance in a Comedy Television Series Wizards of Waverly Place
    2008Imagen AwardBest Supporting Actress – TelevisionWizards of Waverly Place
    2009Imagen AwardBest Supporting Actress/TelevisionWizards of Waverly Place
    2009ALMA AwardActress in Television – ComedyWizards of Waverly Place
    2010Imagen AwardBest Supporting Actress – Television
    2011Imagen AwardBest Supporting Actress – TelevisionWizards of Waverly Place
    2011ALMA AwardFavorite TV Actress – Supporting RoleWizards of Waverly Place
    2013Behind the Voice Actors AwardsBest Vocal Ensemble in a TV Special/Direct-to-DVD Title or Theatrical ShortBatman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 (Shared with cast)
    2014Behind the Voice Actors AwardsBest Vocal Ensemble in a TV Special/Direct-to-DVD Title or Theatrical ShortBatman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 (Shared with cast)
    2015Imagen AwardBest Supporting Actress – TelevisionCristela

    External links

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