Diana Maria Riva (born. July 22, 1969) is an American actress, known for her performances on television. She was a regular cast member in series including Philly (2001–02), Side Order of Life (2007), The Good Guys (2010), Telenovela (2015–16) and Gordita Chronicles (2022). Riva also had major recurring roles in The West Wing, The Bridge, Dead to Me and Glamorous.

Early life Diana Maria Riva born of Dominican roots grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. She attended St. Ursula Academy and the University of Cincinnati – College-Conservatory of Music.

Career Riva began her career on stage appearing in Michael Weller play Help! in 1996. Also that year, she made her screen debut in the short-lived ABC comedy series, Common Law. The series was canceled after only four episodes. She later was cast in a recurring role in the ABC legal series, Murder One created by Steven Bochco. She later would appear on regular and recurring roles on his shows including NYPD Blue (1997, 1999), City of Angels (2000), and Philly (2001–02). Her other early television credits including Party of Five, The X Files, The Drew Carey Show, Everybody Loves Raymond, CSI, and Less Than Perfect. She has also appeared as a celebrity guest on the Donny Osmond version of the game show Pyramid.

In 2000, Riva made her big screen debut playing the supporting role in the romantic comedy film, What Women Want. She later appeared in films The Third Wheel (2002), Chasing Papi (2003), Our Family Wedding (2010), Short Term 12 (2012), Love & Mercy (2014), and McFarland, USA (2015). Riva had recurring roles in Sabrina The Teenage Witch (2002–03), The West Wing (2005–06), and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (2006–07). In 2007, she starred in the short-lived Lifetime drama series, Side Order of Life.

In 2010, Riva starred as Lieutenant Ana Ruiz in the FOX police comedy series, The Good Guys as the boss of detectives Dan Stark (West Wing/Studio 60 alum Bradley Whitford) and Jack Bailey (Colin Hanks) in the Dallas Police Department. In 2012, she starred as a mother-in-law of Rob Schneider's title character in the short-lived CBS sitcom Rob!. From 2013 to 2015, she had a recurring role in the FX crime drama The Bridge, and from 2015 to 2016 starred alongside Eva Longoria in the NBC comedy series, Telenovela. The following year, she was regular cast member during the first season of CBS sitcom Man with a Plan as Mrs. Rodriguez. In 2019, she starred in the NBC sitcom Sunnyside opposite Kal Penn, and from 2019 to 2022 had a recurring role on the Netflix comedy-drama series, Dead to Me. In 2022, she starred in the HBOMax comedy series, Gordita Chronicles. In 2023, Diana starred in the Netflix series Glamorous as Julia, mother to Miss Benny’s Marco.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes2000 What Women Want Stella 2002 The Third Wheel Rose Lady 2003 Chasing Papi Fala 2003 Exposed Maria 2004 Employee of the Month Deloris Crabtree 2009 17 Again Judge 2010 Our Family Wedding Sonia Ramirez 2013 Short Term 12 Nurse Beth 2013 Tuna Marie 2014 Love & Mercy Gloria 2015 McFarland, USA Señora Diaz 2019 Noelle Helen Rojas 2020 Kajillionaire Farida 2025My Secret SantaPost-production

Television Year Title Role Notes 1996 Common Law Maria Marquez 1997 Murder One 1998 The Pretender Lupe Harmon 1997–1999 Party of Five Loraina/Nurse 1999 The X Files Angela Villareal Episode: "Agua Mala" 1997–1999 NYPD Blue Maxine / Matron 1999–2001 Everybody Loves Raymond Sarah 2 episodes2000 The Drew Carey Show Elena Episode: "Drew and the Racial Tension Play" City of Angels Connie 4 episodes 2001–2002 Philly Patricia 2002–2003 Sabrina The Teenage Witch Annie 2004 CSI Juanita Episode: "XX" Reba Miss Laurie 2004–2005 Less Than Perfect Vivian 2005–2006 The West Wing Edie Ortega 2006–2007 Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip Lilly Rodriguez 2007 Standoff Marta Episode: "No Strings" The Loop Benita 2 episodes Side Order of Life Vivy Porter Series regular 2008 Ghost Whisperer Mrs. Alden Episode: "Home But Not Alone"2009 Castle Detective Roselyn Karpowski 2 episodes In Plain Sight Roberta Procter Episode "Who's Bugging Mary?" 2010 The Good Guys Lieutenant Ana Ruiz Series regular 2012 Rob Rosa Series regular, 8 episodes 2013–2015 The Bridge Kitty Conchas Recurring role2014 Saint George Concepcion 4 episodes NCIS: Los Angeles Marcella Episode: "Black Budget" Manhattan Love Story Angie Episode: "Happy Thanksmas" 2015 Girl Meets World Chairperson Sanchez Episode: "Girl Meets Creativity" 2015–2016 Telenovela Mimi Moncada Series regularNominated — Imagen Award for Best Supporting Actress – Television 2016–2017 Man with a Plan Mrs. Rodriguez Series regular (season 1); 17 episodes 2017 The Mayor Franny Episode: "The Strike" 2018 Madam Secretary Sister Anne Gutierrez Episode: "The Magic Rake" 2019–2022 Dead to Me Detective Ana Perez Recurring roleImagen Award for Best Supporting Actress – Television (2021)Nominated — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series 2019 Sunnyside Griselda Series regular, 11 episodes2020The George Lucas Talk ShowHerselfStu-D2 1138 on the Binary Sunset Sith (Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip marathon) 2022 Gordita Chronicles Adela Series regular 2023 Glamorous Julia Mejia 10 episodes 2024 Lopez vs Lopez Olga Episode: "Lopez vs. Swap Meat" 2024 Tracker Det. Helen Brock Episode: "Aurora" 2026 DMV Trish Episode: "Hot Gurlz"

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AllMovie entry