Constance Marie

Constance Marie
Marie at the 2022 WonderCon
Occupations	Actress, dancer
Years active	1982–present
Children	1

Constance Marie is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as Angelina "Angie" Lopez in George Lopez (2002–2007), and Marcela Quintanilla (mother of Selena) in the film Selena (1997). She portrayed Regina Vasquez in the ABC Family/Freeform drama series Switched at Birth (2011–2017). She also portrayed Camila Diaz in the Amazon Prime Video drama series Undone (2019–2022).

Early life

Constance Marie Lopez was born in Los Angeles, California. A third-generation Mexican American, she was raised by her mother and grandmother in Los Angeles.

Marie developed an interest in dance during her youth. At age 19, she traveled to Japan to perform in Cosmopolis, a musical production by Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto. Her early dance experience included street-dancing styles such as locking and popping, which she learned outside of formal dance training.

After returning to Los Angeles, Marie was spotted dancing at a nightclub by Toni Basil, who invited her to audition for David Bowie's Glass Spider Tour. She was selected as one of the tour's dancers in 1987. Marie later appeared in the 1988 concert video Glass Spider, which documented performances from the tour.

Career

Marie began her acting career in the 1980s, appearing in the 1988 film Salsa and the television series Dirty Dancing. She subsequently appeared in the soap opera Santa Barbara and had roles in several television series, including Early Edition, Spin City, Union Square, and Ally McBeal. In 1997, she portrayed Marcela Quintanilla, the mother of singer Selena, in the biographical film Selena.

In 2001, Marie appeared in the comedy-drama film Tortilla Soup, alongside Héctor Elizondo, Jacqueline Obradors, and Elizabeth Peña. She also portrayed Nina Gonzalez in the PBS drama series American Family.

From 2002 to 2007, Marie portrayed Angelina "Angie" Lopez, the wife of George Lopez, in the ABC sitcom George Lopez. The series ran for six seasons. In 2004, Marie received an Imagen Award for Best Actress in Television Comedy for her performance.

In 2007, she appeared in an advertisement for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), encouraging pet owners to spay and neuter their animals.

From 2011 to 2017, Marie starred as Regina Vasquez in the ABC Family/Freeform drama series Switched at Birth. Her performance earned her a Gracie Award in 2012 for Outstanding Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Drama Series or Special. She also received the 2012 ALMA Award for Favorite TV Actress in a Supporting Role.

Marie later appeared in the television series Angel from Hell, Animal Kingdom, and Law & Order True Crime, portraying Marta Cano in the latter's 2017 miniseries about the Menendez brothers. From 2016 to 2020, she voiced Doña Paloma in the Disney animated series Elena of Avalor.

From 2019 to 2022, Marie portrayed Camila Diaz in the Amazon Prime Video animated series Undone. She also had a recurring role as Dr. Corts in the Netflix comedy series Alexa & Katie.

From 2021 to 2023, Marie portrayed Beatriz Diaz in the Amazon Prime Video romantic comedy series With Love, created by Gloria Calderón Kellett. In a 2023 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Marie discussed her role in the series and her experiences portraying mothers in film and television.

Marie subsequently appeared in the television series Lopez vs Lopez (2022), How I Met Your Father (2023), and Doctor Odyssey (2024). In 2025, she portrayed Vanessa, the mother of private investigator Julie, in the second season of the Netflix comedy series A Man on the Inside.

Personal life

Marie has a daughter, Luna Marie, born in 2009. Marie has been a vegetarian since her teenage years and has raised her daughter as a vegetarian.

Filmography

Awards and nominations

• Soap Opera Digest Awards
  • 1991: Outstanding Female Newcomer (Daytime) – Santa Barbara (Nominated)
• ALMA Awards
  • 1998: Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series – Union Square (Nominated)
  • 2007: Outstanding Actress (Television Series, Mini-Series or Television Movie) – George Lopez (Nominated)
  • 2011: Favorite TV Actress - Supporting Role – Switched at Birth (Nominated)
  • 2012: Favorite TV Actress - Supporting Role – Switched at Birth (Won)
• Young Artist Awards
  • 2004: Most Popular Mom & Pop in a Television Series – George Lopez (Nominated) with George Lopez
• Imagen Awards
  • 2004: Best Actress in Television Drama – American Family (Nominated)
  • 2004: Best Actress in Television Comedy – George Lopez (Won)
  • 2005: Best Actress (Television) – George Lopez (Nominated)
  • 2006: Best Actress (Television) – George Lopez (Nominated)
  • 2007: Best Actress (Television) – George Lopez (Nominated)

See also

• List of Mexican Americans