Edith Díaz

Edith Diaz (October 23, 1949 – December 19, 2009) was a Puerto Rican actress known for roles in film, television and stage. She co-founded the Screen Actors Guild's Ethnic Minorities Committee in 1972.^[1]

Diaz was born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.^[1] She studied under noted acting teacher, Stella Adler, and at the Actors Studio in New York City.^[1] Her film credits included Born on the Fourth of July in 1989, Sister Act in 1992, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit in 1993, Nick of Time in 1995, First Watch in 2003 and Oh Baby! in 2008.

On television, Diaz appeared in the short-lived 1975-76 CBS television series, Popi, which starred Hector Elizondo. Popi which aired on CBS for eleven episodes, was one of the first television series on American network television to feature a Hispanic theme and cast.^[1] Her other television credits included guest roles on St. Elsewhere, All in the Family, Barney Miller and The Twilight Zone.^[1] In 1991, she played Desi Arnaz's mother, Dolores (Mother Arnaz), in the television movie, Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter, on CBS.^[1]

Also appeared in a Hawaii Five-0 (the original show, as both Rita Salazar and Maria Ramos) in the episode "A Bullet for El Diablo" (first aired 11-13-73).^[1]

Diaz co-founded the Screen Actors Guild Ethnic Minorities Committee in 1972 with Henry Darrow, Carmen Zapata and Ricardo Montalban.^[1]

Edith Diaz died of heart failure on December 19, 2009, at a nursing home in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, at the age of 60 ^[2] She was survived by her sister, Nilsa; brother, Arcadio Diaz Quinones; two nephews and four nieces.^[1] Actress Miluka Rivera, who serves on the SAG Ethnic Minorities Committee called Diaz a "gifted performer, a union Latino rights activist and a loving friend."^[1]

References

External links

• Edith Diaz at the Internet Movie Database