Zulay Henao (born March 22, 1979) is an American film and television actress. Since first appearing in the 2005 independent production Film 101, she has appeared in numerous films and single episodes of television series, as well as appearing as a series regular in Love Thy Neighbor (2013), If Loving You Is Wrong (2014–2020), and a recurring role in The Oath (2019).
Early life Henao was born in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia. She and her family emigrated to New Jersey. After high school she served three years with the U.S. Army. After the service, Henao enrolled at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts to study acting.
Career Henao appeared in two small films, and in 2007 made her television debut in an episode of Lifetime drama series, Army Wives. In the same year she also guest-starred on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Also in 2007, Henao had supporting roles in films Illegal Tender and Feel the Noise. In 2008 she starred in the horror film Grizzly Park, and appeared opposite Charles S. Dutton in a Lifetime Original Movie Racing for Time.
In 2009, Henao had the female lead role in the sports film Fighting alongside Channing Tatum, and also appeared in the science fiction film S. Darko. In 2011 she starred in the independent psychological-thriller film, Boy Wonder. Henao also has appeared in Takers (2010) and Hostel: Part III (2011).
In 2013, Henao began starring as regular on the Oprah Winfrey Network sitcom, Love Thy Neighbor. She left the show after a single season. Henao starred opposite Nia Long, Wendi McLendon-Covey, and Amy Smart in the 2014 film The Single Moms Club, directed by Tyler Perry. She later was cast in same role of television adaptation of film, called If Loving You Is Wrong. Also in 2014, Henao was cast as adult film legend Vanessa del Rio, in an untitled biopic directed by Thomas Mignone. She later left the project and was replaced by Vivian Lamolli. In 2019, she had a recurring roles in The Oath and Stumptown.
Personal life Henao is in a relationship with Kevin Connolly. The couple are parents to daughter Kennedy Cruz, born in June 2021.
Filmography
Year Title Role Notes2005 Film 101 Unknown Role Clearview Gloria Rojas2007 Illegal Tender Mora Feel the Noise Carol "CC" Reyes Saturday Morning Unknown Role2008 The Heart Is a Hidden Camera Natasha Short film Grizzly Park Lola2009 Fighting Zulay Velez S. Darko Baelyn Direct-to-video The Magnificent Cooly-T Angie 2010 Takers Monica Hatcher2011 Boy Wonder Teresa Ames Havana Heat Agent Brianna Evans Hostel: Part III Nikki 2014 White Space Lynn Navarro The Single Moms Club Esperanza 2015 Destined Giselle Porter 2016 True Memoirs of an International Assassin Rosa Bolivar Meet the Blacks Lorena Black2017 Grow House Madison2018Beyond White SpaceLynn Navarro2019Grand IsleDetective Newton 2021The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2Lorena
Television Year Title Role Notes2007 Army Wives Delores Marino Episode: "Only the Lonely" Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Forensics Tech Casanueva Episode: "Svengali"2008 Fear Itself Christie Episode: "New Year's Day" Racing for Time Carmen TV movie 2009 The Unusuals Rosa Trumble Episode: "Crime Slut" 2013 Love Thy Neighbor Marianna Perez Series regular, 13 episodes 2014–2020If Loving You Is Wrong Esperanza Series regular 2017 MacGyver Cynthia Episode: "Large Blade" 2018 Kevin Can Wait Rebecca Romero Episode: "Kevin Can Date"2019 The Oath Carmen Velasquez Recurring role, 8 episodes Star LuciaEpisodes: "Watch the Throne" and "The Reckoning"StumptownDeniseEpisodes: "Missed Connections" and "Family Ties"
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