H.R. No. 1073
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Family, friends, and fans across Texas and the
nation mourn the loss of actress and El Paso native Lupe Ontiveros,
who died on July 26, 2012, at the age of 69; and
WHEREAS, The former Guadalupe Moreno was born on September
17, 1942, in El Paso, where her parents owned a tortilla factory and
two restaurants; she graduated from El Paso High School and went on
to earn a degree in psychology and social work from Texas Woman's
University; and
WHEREAS, After marrying Elias Ontiveros, she moved with him
to Pico Rivera, California, where she found employment as a social
worker; in 1972, Ms. Ontiveros answered a newspaper advertisement
for movie extras and began getting small parts in such television
shows as Charlie's Angels, Eight Is Enough, Hill Street Blues, and
Who's the Boss?, often playing a maid or a housekeeper; along the
way, she garnered roles in several important Hispanic-themed films,
including Zoot Suit, The Border, El Norte, Born in East L.A., and My
Family; and
WHEREAS, In 1997, Ms. Ontiveros drew attention for her
breakout role in the film Selena, playing Yolanda Saldivar, the
convicted killer of the singer; her skill at playing drama and her
exquisite comic timing resulted in roles in such films as As Good As
It Gets, Real Women Have Curves, and Our Family Wedding; her
television career thrived as well, with guest spots or recurring
roles on Greetings From Tucson, Weeds, Los Americans, and
Southland; in 2005, she was nominated for an Emmy for her
performance as Juanita "Mama" Solis, the mother-in-law of Eva
Longoria's character on the hit series Desperate Housewives; she
also narrated the documentary Maid in America; and
WHEREAS, In addition to her extensive work in TV and film,
Ms. Ontiveros helped establish the Latino Theater Company in Los
Angeles, and she spoke out on behalf of Latino performers
throughout her career; her career and her advocacy earned her
lifetime achievement awards from both the National Hispanic Media
Coalition and the National Association of Latino Independent
Producers; and
WHEREAS, In all her endeavors, she enjoyed the love and
support of her husband and their three sons, Nicholas, Alejandro,
and Elias; she also took great pride in her two granddaughters; and
WHEREAS, Lupe Ontiveros was a gifted actress and a passionate
voice for the causes in which she believed, and her talent, good
humor, and unshakeable dignity will continue to inspire not only
those who knew and loved her, but all those who delighted in her
performances over the years; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Lupe Ontiveros and
extend sincere condolences to her family and friends; and, be it
further
R
ESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Lupe
Ontiveros.
Marquez
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1073 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on April 3, 2013.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House