Lupe Ontiveros is a well-known stage, television, and screen actress as well as a producer and community activist. She is best known for her comedic/dramatic role as La Nacha in the Oscar nominated film El Norte, for which she gained international recognition.

Lupe’s stage work includes most notably the Los Angeles, New York, and film productions of Luis Valdez’ Zoot Suit, in which she created the role of Dolores, the first Chicana mother on the Broadway stage. Her film credits include Real Women Have Curves, As Good As it Gets, Selena, and Goonies, just to name a few.

The Sundance Film Festival awarded Lupe Best Dramatic Actress for her role in Real Women Have Curves. The National Board of Review awarded Lupe the Best Supporting Actress for Chuck and Buck and she was nominated Best Supporting Actress for the Independent Spirit Award for this role. Most recently she was honored by The National Hispanic Media Coalition, Cinequest Film Festival Maverick Award as the first Latina to receive this Honor.

Lupe was nominated for an Emmy for her guest appearance on ABC's Desperate Housewives as Mamma Solis, the meddling mother-in-law to Eva Longoria's character.