only a year older than her onscreen daughter (portrayed by Jennifer
Lopez), the young and sexy Constance had to undergo four hours
of extensive make-up in order for her to look like Selena's mom. It
was a pivotal role at the right time and it catapulted her into being
one of the industry's most sought-after actresses, and she has contin-
ued to work almost non-stop ever since.
After Selena was released TV Producer Gary David
Goldberg immediately offered Constance a role as Michael J. Fox's
antagonist love interest, Gabby, on the hit ABC series “Spin City,”
a stint that helped the series achieve some of its highest ratings. It
was another high profile role which helped her
gain attention from producers and casting
agents. Offers for roles were pouring in and
soon Constance was starring as Gabriella
Diaz, on the top ten, NBC TV series "Union
Square.” In 1998, Constance was nominated
for the ALMA Award for "Outstanding
Actress in a Comedy Series" for her perform-
ance in “Union Square”.
The cancellation of the highly publicized
show allowed the in-demand actress to quickly
jump into another role, as Detective Toni
Brigatti on the popular CBS series "Early
Edition" where she played series lead Kyle
Chandler's love interest for two seasons. She has
also had strong reoccurring roles on the series'
“Two Guys and a Girl” for ABC, and “For
Your Love” for the WB. In 2001,
Constance went back to her dancing roots
to portray Inez Cortez, a salsa champi-
on on the quirky FOX hit “Ally
After “Dirty Dancing” McBeal.” Marie's other TV credits
ended, she chose not to work
for a year because she did-
n’t like the parts that came
her way. “The only power I
have is in the choices I make
Constance
include an NBC pilot “The
Underworld” opposite Kevin
Pollack and the Mario Van
Peebles-directed ABC pilot,
“Missing Persons.”
for work. And that’s where I
thought, ‘You can’t put me in a
MARIE
In 2001, Constance
starred in the highly
box. I won’t let you,’ ” Constance
ornament10
celebrated Samuel
says. She turned down many of the Goldwyn film, Tortilla Soup. She played the daughter of Raquel
roles she was offered to portray drug addicts, prostitutes and maids Welch, who coincidentally
and eventually found work on the NBC soap opera “Santa also starred as her aunt in
Barbara.” She regularly found small roles after that and she began the “American Family”
to seek work in feature films as well. series. The film received a
It was good timing because in the 90’s there was a rise in 2002 AlMA Award nom-
Latino themed projects and a new awareness in Hollywood. It was ination for “Outstanding
only a matter of time before she was working in features, starring as Motion Picture.” The
Toni Sanchez in the critically recognized 1995 feature My Family, same year Constance also
directed by Gregory Nava. The project also turned out to be the co-starred in the surprise
first of many times that she has worked with fellow actor and good comedy hit See Spot
friend Edward James Olmos. Constance then went on to win praise Run. She also starred in
for her work in the 1997 film Selena about the slain Tejano music the Sundance Film
legend. Constance portrayed Selena’s mother, Marcella Festival favorite Dancing
Quintanilla, in the blockbuster film. Although Constance was really In September.
S A L U D O S 10 H I S P A N O S
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