Hollywood Typecasting: Some Latina Actresses Are Forever Relegated To Roles As Maids And Abuelas
Like Yenque, other talented Latina actresses have been relegated to similar roles throughout their careers. For whatever reason, they seem to fit nicely into what the creators of shows see as a typical maid, grandma or housekeeper. Still, behind the roles are actresses with many years of experience and well-rounded careers, including significant roles in Spanish-language films and TV.
Consider Lupe Ontiveros, who has played a maid more than 150 times, she told NPR. She played the likable housekeeper Rosalita in "The Goonies," a maid in the original "Charlie's Angels" TV series, a housekeeper in "Who's The Boss," had a recurring role on "Desperate Housewives", and on and on...
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How does one with such a rich cultural background end up limited to a single type of role? Ontiveros says it's her "indigenous looks". There have been occasions when Ontiveros has had to push herself in order to appear or sound even more Latina. For instance, she has had to force an accent, which she doesn't really have.
"You want an accent?' And they'd say, 'Yes, we prefer for you to have an accent.' And the thicker and more waddly it is, the more they like it. This is what I'm against, really, truly," she said, referring to conversations with casting directors.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/21/latina-actresses-bound-to-same-roles_n_1216568.html
