Carmen Zapata

Carmen Zapata was an actress whose six-decade career included stage, television and film. In addition to her work as a performer she was a strong advocate for showcasing Latino culture in Los Angeles through the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts, which she co-founded in 1973 with actress, playwright and director Margarita Galban.

Zapata, who is perhaps best remembered for her performance as one of the choir nuns in the movies Sister Act and SIster Act 2, was born in New York City and made her Broadway debut in the chorus of Oklahoma! in 1946, which led to many theater roles over the next two decades. She also produced many plays over the years.

She made her film debut in the 1969 release Hail, Hero!, starring Michael Douglas. The following year brought her first TV appearance with a part in The Bold Ones: The Protectors.

Dozens of television credits followed, including guest roles in Room 222, Bonanza, McMillan & Wife, The Rookies, The Mod Squad, Adam-12, Marcus Welby, M.D., Barnaby Jones, Kojak, Medical Center, The Streets of San Francisco, McCloud, Mannix, Chico and the Man, Love, American Style, Emergency!, Mrs. Columbo, The White Shadow, Archie Bunker's Place, Falcon Crest, L.A. Law, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman and many others. 

She also had regular roles in the series Viva Valdez, CBS Afternoon Playhouse, Flamingo Road, Trapper John, M.D., Villa Allegre and Santa Barbara.

In addition to the Sister Act movies, her films included Telefon, Billy Jack Goes to Washington, Boulevard Nights and Death in Granada.

In 1990, Zapata was knighted by King Juan Carlos of Spain; she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003.

Zapata died January 5, 2014, in Van Nuys, California. She was 86.