Actress Lupe Ontiveros died Thursday at the age of 69. Ontiveros passed away at a hospital in Whittier, Calif. after a brief battle with liver cancer. The Mexican actress was most famous for her role as Yolanda Saldivar, who in real life was convicted of killing singer Selena Quintanilla, in the film about the late Tejano singer’s life, “Selena.”
Ontiveros, who began her acting career more than 35 years ago, was also featured in films “Real Women Have Curves,” “The Goonies,” “Our Family Wedding” and various others. Ontiveros recently also appeared in numerous episodes of the “Desperate Housewives” as Juanita ‘Mama’ Solis.
The actress received a lifetime achievement award from the National Association of Latino Independent Producers. Upon receiving the award, Ontiveros said, “From the stage to the grave, that’s how I want go.” President of the National Hispanic Media Coalition, Alex Nogales, said Ontiveros “worked tirelessly to perfect her craft and open doors for countless Latinos along the way … Hollywood never gave her the lead role, but in our hearts she will be remembered as our leading lady. She will be deeply missed by all of us.”
Ontiveros is survived by her husband, three sons and two granddaughters.
