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Who is Constance Marie?
In the dazzling world of Hollywood, where talent shines like a million stars, according to her fans and critics, Constance Marie has carved her own special place. With her captivating performances, magnetic charisma, and unwavering dedication, she has become a beloved figure in the entertainment industry. She has over 50 acting credits to her name, however, she is probably still known best for her role as Angie Lopez in the early 2000s series “George Lopez”. Beyond her acting career, Constance Marie is a multifaceted talent. Her dedication to dance has never waned, and she even showcased her dancing skills in the reality competition show “Dancing with the Stars”.
She’s been a trailblazer for Latina actresses, using her platform to promote inclusivity and equal opportunities. Let’s take a closer look at the life, career, and most notable roles of this talented lady.
Early life, family, and education
Born Constance Marie Lopez under the zodiac sign of Virgo on 9 September 1965, in East Los Angeles, California USA, she holds American nationality and comes from a family of Mexican descent, raised by her parents, about whom nothing is known as she respects their privacy. Constance also hasn’t spoken about siblings, although some tabloids reported that she has a brother and sister.
She possessed an undeniable passion for the performing arts from a young age. Her journey into the world of entertainment began as a dancer, a skill she honed diligently. Constance was spotted at a club by a choreographer who invited her to come for an audition, and she was hired to go on tour with David Bowie. Soon after, she landed her first role as a dancer in the television series “Dirty Dancing”; this early opportunity set the stage for a remarkable career.
When it comes to her educational background, she attended a local high school, and upon matriculating in 1983, she enrolled at Pierce College, from which she graduated with a BA degree in 1987.
Roles in series
As mentioned, Constance debuted on television playing Penny Rivera in the series “Dirty Dancing”, appearing in 11 episodes during 1988 and ‘89. Constance followed with her role as Nikki Alvarez in the romantic drama series “Santa Barbara”, which put her on the map, her portrayal of the feisty, fun-loving character showcasing her versatility as an actress, and winning the hearts of viewers. From 1989 through 1990, Constance was seen in 90 episodes, and her performance earned her a nomination for the Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Female Newcomer: Daytime.
Constance’s talent and charm quickly propelled her into the spotlight. She began making appearances in various television shows, including “The Hat Squad” (1992), “Cobra” (1993), “The Sentinel” (1996), and “Union Square” (1997-2000).
GUESS WHERE I AM?!?!#GeorgeAndAngie @Dodgers @georgelopez #1InAMillion#WeLoveLA pic.twitter.com/3IJ75dIxTq
— Constance Marie she/her (@goconstance) August 30, 2015
In the early 2000s, she made a few guest appearances before she landed her most notable role to date, as Angie in “George Lopez”. The show, which ran for six seasons (2002-2007), not only entertained audiences with its humor, but also tackled important issues such as family, culture, and identity. Constance’s portrayal of the strong, loving matriarch endeared her to fans and critics alike – “George Lopez” remains a beloved series, and a testament to her acting prowess.
Constance’s performance in the series brought her the Imagen Award for Best Actress in a Television Comedy, and she was three times nominated for the Imagen Award for Best Actress – Television (in 2005, ’06 and ’07). She also received The American Latino Media Arts (ALMA) Award nomination for Outstanding Actress – Television Series, Mini-Series or Television Movie, and the Young Artist Award nomination for Most Popular Mom & Pop in a Television Series, shared with her co-star, George Lopez.
One of Constance’s most iconic roles came in 2011, when she was cast to play Regina Vasquez in the series “Switched at Birth”, also starring Katie Leclerc and Vanessa Marano. The show aired until 2017, and she was seen in all 104 episodes of this family drama about two teenage girls whose lives turn upside down after they discover that they were switched at birth; it had 24 award nominations and nine wins – Constance won the ALMA Award for Favorite TV Actress – Supporting Role, the Gracie Allen Award for Outstanding Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Drama Series or Special, and the Imagen Award for Best Supporting Actress/Television.
In the following years, Constance was seen in “Overthinking with Kat & June” (2018), “The Fix” (2019), “Alexa & Katie” (2019-2020). Concurrently, she landed the voice role of Camila Diaz in the series “Undone”, and between 2019 and 2022, Constance was heard in all 16 episodes of this critically acclaimed animated drama.
Most recently, in 2023, Constance made an appearance as Raquel in two episodes of the new series “How I Met Your Father”, a spin-off from the hit series “How I Met Your Mother”.
Roles in movies
Constance made her big-screen debut as a Dancer in the 1988 movie “Salsa”. Her first speaking role came as Joan Zevo, in the 1993 TV science-fiction comedy “12:01”, which won the Brussels International Festival of Fantasy Film Pegasus Audience Award.
Two years later, Constance was cast to play Toni in the Oscar-nominated drama “My Family”, starring Jimmy Smits, Esai Morales and Edward James Olmos. The movie follows the story of a man who makes his way from Mexico to Los Angeles, where he marries and raises his big family. Besides the Academy Award nomination for Best Make-Up, the movie had another four, plus three wins.
One of Constance’s most notable and emotionally charged performances came in 1997, when she was cast to play Marcela Quintanilla in the biographical drama film, “Selena”, as the real-life mother of the iconic Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla, portrayed by Jennifer Lopez. According to critics, Constance’s performance captured the essence of a supportive and nurturing mother, who believed in Selena’s talent and dreams.
The early 2000s saw Constance in “Dancing in September” (2000), “Tortilla Soup” (2001), and “Puff, Puff, and Pass” (2006), none of which achieved much success. Later on, Constance was seen in several films made for television, such as “Class” (2010), “The Right Girl” (2015), and “Winter in Vail” in 2020, which was her most recent movie role.
Love life, husband, and kids
Although at the beginning of her career, Constance has been the subject of various speculations about her love life, but has kept her dating history secret. It’s widely known that from 2000, she has been in a relationship with Kent Katich, a successful yoga instructor and meditation coach. He has a strong background in the wellness industry and is known for his expertise in yoga and mindfulness.
The two were engaged, and had a daughter together, namely Luna Marie, born on 5 February 2009. However, in September 2015, Constance’s and Kent’s love story ended. The couple hasn’t spoken about the reason for their separation.
As of September 2023, it seems that Constance is single.
Age, height, and net worth
This 58-year-old actress is known for her long, dark brown hair and dark brown eyes. Constance is 5ft 6ins (1.68m) tall, and weighs around 125lbs (56kgs), with vital statistics of 35-25-35.
Thanks to her talent, Constance has made a good living for herself. Reportedly, her net worth has been estimated at over $5 million, as of September 2023.
