Carmen Zapata

Carmen Margarita Zapata (July 15, 1927 – January 5, 2014) was an American actress known for her roles in movies and TV shows. She was born in New York City to Mexican and Argentine immigrants. Zapata made her Broadway debut in 1946 and appeared in over three hundred movies and shows throughout her career. Some of her notable appearances include Batman: The Animated Series, Married... with Children, Sister Act, and Santa Barbara, where she portrayed Carmen Castillo. She is best known for her role as the lead character, Doña Luz, on the PBS bilingual children's program Villa Alegre. Zapata was also a co-founder and director of the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts in Los Angeles. She actively participated in the Chicano movement of the 1960s and 1970s.