Rosanna DeSoto (born September 2, 1950)Hollywood.com is an American actress who has performed in films and television. She is best known for her roles in Stand and Deliver, for which she won an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female,Stand and Deliver awards and nominations at The New York Times and in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country as Azetbur, the daughter of Klingon Chancellor Gorkon.
DeSoto's other film roles include La Bamba (1987) as Ritchie Valens' mother Connie Valenzuela; and Family Business (1989) as the wife of Vito McMullen (Dustin Hoffman).
DeSoto's first television role was in the series A.E.S. Hudson Street (1978) as Nurse Rosa Santiago. She starred in the short-lived series The Redd Foxx Show (1986). She has made guest appearances on many television series, including Cannon, Kung Fu, Barnaby Jones, Barney Miller, Melrose Place, Murder, She Wrote, The Bold and the Beautiful and Law & Order.
Early life and education DeSoto was born in San Jose, California on September 2, 1950. Both of her parents were Mexican immigrants from Michoacán. DeSoto had four brothers and four sisters, making her one of nine siblings. She spent her early years handpicking fruit, particularly apples.
DeSoto graduated from San Jose State University, double majoring in Spanish literature and drama. During her tenure at SJSU, DeSoto rehearsed and performed with the Light Opera Company.
Career DeSoto made her film debut in 1979 with The In-Laws. She appeared opposite Nick Nolte and Debra Winger in Cannery Row (1982). DeSoto won the Golden Eagle Award for Best Actress for her performance in The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez (1982). In 1986, she appeared opposite Rob Lowe and Demi Moore in About Last Night, playing Mrs. Lyons. That same year, she portrayed waitress Diana Olmos in the short-lived sitcom The Redd Foxx Show.
In 1987, DeSoto appeared in the biographic film La Bamba. In that film, she portrayed Connie Valenzuela, the mother of Ritchie Valens, played by Lou Diamond Phillips. The next year, DeSoto collaborated with Phillips again in the 1988 biopic Stand and Deliver, where she portrayed Fabiola Escalante, the wife of Jaime Escalante (Edward James Olmos). Her performance garnered her an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female.
In 1989, she played the wife of Dustin Hoffman's character in Family Business. That same year, she landed the principal role in Face of the Enemy. She also played Azetbur in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991). DeSoto portrayed Linda in The 24 Hour Woman (1999). She has also acted in the soap opera, The Bold and the Beautiful.
DeSoto wrote and appeared in “A Woman in Progress/Canto de Oro, Cuento de Mujer” that was produced by the Intar Theater group in New York in 2005.
Personal life From 1974 to 1978, DeSoto was married to Jonathan Taplin. They have one daughter, Daniela (born June 1976).Jonathan Taplin overview at Turner Classic MoviesRosanna DeSoto overview at Turner Classic Movies
DeSoto has been married to David S. Ward since September 20, 1980.David S. Ward biography at Hollywood.com They have a daughter, Sylvana Ward Durrett (born 1981).
DeSoto is also the aunt of Ken Ramoz, who appeared in such films as Gettysburg (1993) and Getting Even with Dad (1994).
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1979 The In-Laws Evita 1980 Serial Maria 1982 The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez Carlota Muñoz 1982 Cannery Row Ellen Sedgewick 1986 About Last Night... Mrs. Lyons 1986 American Justice Manuela 1987 La Bamba Connie Valenzuela 1988 Stand and Deliver Fabiola Escalante 1989 Family Business Elaine McMullen 1989 Face of the Enemy Nelioufar Mobbasser 1991 San Juan Story Olga Torres Short 1991 Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country Azetbur 1999 The 24 Hour Woman Linda 2000 Mambo Café Carmen 2001 Wooly Boys Martinez 2005 Once Upon a Wedding Sonia
Television Year Title Role Notes 1972 Cannon Elena Duran 1 episode 1973 The Mod Squad Dolores 1 episode 1973 Kung Fu Kiona ( as Rosana Soto ) 1 episode 1975-1979 Barney Miller Miss del Fuego/Elena Elezando/Teresa Tasco 4 episodes 1975 Harry O Edwina 1 episode 1975 McMillan & Wife Katina 1 episode 1976 The Streets of San Francisco Angie 1 episode 1978 A.E.S. Hudson Street Nurse Rosa Santiago Regular; 5 episodes 1978 Rhoda Receptionist 1 episode 1978 The White Shadow Spanish Teacher 1 episode 1979 Angie Nurse Alonzo 1 episode 1979 Lou Grant Angela Cariaga 1 episode 1979 Paris Marisa Gomez 1 episode 1981 Three Hundred Miles for Stephanie Lydia 1982 American Playhouse Carlota Muñoz Episode "The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez" 1983 Condo 1 episode 1983 Women of San Quentin Adela Reynosa 1985 Punky Brewster Rita J. Sanchez 2 episodes 1985-1987 Miami Vice Erendira/Maria Lupe Cruz Episodes "Bushido"/ "God's work" 1986 The Redd Foxx Show Diana Olmos Regular; 7 episodes 1986 Joe Bash Maria 1 episode 1988-1996 Murder She Wrote Consuela Schaeffer/Maria Galvan/Iza Decalde 3 episodes 1992 Melrose Place Delia Saldana 2 episodes 1992 Child of Rage Doris 1992 Law & Order Mrs. Ortega 1 episode 1993 Quantum Leap Fiddler 1 episode 1995 Picture Windows Layla Episode "Soir Blue" 1995 Kissing Miranda Carmen Ortega 1 episode 1996 Walker, Texas Ranger Cora Reynolds Episode "A Silent Cry" 1997 Invasion Nancy Ochoa 1998 Thicker Than Blood Señora 2000 Chicago Hope Lulu Episode "Devoted Attachment" 2001 Strong Medicine Dr. Elena Gomez Episode "History" 2001 The Bold and the Beautiful Liliana Dominguez 6 episodes
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