Elizabeth Peña
Biography
Elizabeth Maria Peña was an American actress and television director born on September 23, 1959, in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and she died on October 14, 2014, at the age of 55. She was the daughter of Estella Margarita, an arts administrator and producer, and Mario Peña, a Cuban-born actor, writer, and director who co-founded the Latin American Theatre Ensemble. Peña graduated from New York's High School of Performing Arts in 1977. Her classmates included Ving Rhames, with whom she later co-starred in Jacob's Ladder, and Esai Morales. Throughout her career, Peña compiled 92 known acting credits across movies and television shows. She was also known by the nickname Eli.
Career overview
Elizabeth Maria Peña was an American actress and television director born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, on September 23, 1959. She came from an artistic family as the daughter of Estella Margarita, an arts administrator and producer, and Mario Peña, a Cuban-born actor, writer, and director who co-founded the Latin American Theatre Ensemble. Peña graduated from New York's High School of Performing Arts in 1977. Among her classmates at the institution were Ving Rhames and Esai Morales, and she would later co-star with Rhames in the film Jacob's Ladder.
Throughout her career, Peña compiled extensive experience in the entertainment industry, earning 92 known acting credits in movies and television shows. In addition to her acting work, she expanded her professional repertoire by gaining experience as a television director. Known professionally as both Elizabeth Peña and by the alternate name Eli, she maintained an active career in the performing arts until her death on October 14, 2014, at the age of 55.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- The Song of Sway Lake (2019) as Marlena
- Grandma (2015) as Carla
- Ana Maria in Novela Land (2015) as Sra. Soto
- Girl on the Edge (2015) as Esther
- In the Dark (2013) as Dr. Weinette
- Plush (2013) as Dr. Lopez
- Blaze You Out (2013) as Dona
- Common Law (2012) as Travis' Foster Mother
- Charlie's Angels (2011) as Warden Gloria Galvez
- The Perfect Family (2011) as Christina Rayes
- Down for Life (2010) as Mrs. Castro
- Modern Family (2009) as Pilar Ramírez
- Mother and Child (2009) as Lawyer
- Nothing Like the Holidays (2008) as Anna Rodriguez
- A Single Woman (2008) as Storyteller
- Racing for Time (2008) as Flores
- Goal II: Living the Dream (2007) as Rosa Maria
- Dragon Wars: D-War (2007) as Agent Linda Perez
- Adrift in Manhattan (2007) as Isabel Parades
- Love Comes Lately (2007) as Esperanza
- American Dad! (2005) as Store Owner (voice)
- Ghost Whisperer (2005) as Marla
- Numb3rs (2005) as Sonya Benavides
- Sueno (2005) as Mirabela
- Transamerica (2005) as Margaret
- Down in the Valley (2005) as Gale
- The Lost City (2005) as Miliciana (Zoraida) Muñoz
- Keep Your Distance (2005) as Holly
- How the Garcia Girls Spent Their Summer (2005) as Lolita
- The Incredibles (2004) as Mirage (voice)
- Justice League Unlimited (2004) as Paran-Dul (voice)
- Maya & Miguel (2004) as Rosa Santos (voice)
- Justice League: Starcrossed - The Movie (2004) as Paran Dul (voice)
- Suburban Madness (2004) as Clara Harris
- The Hollywood Mom's Mystery (2004) as Theresa Shoe
- NCIS (2003) as Lina Reyes
- CSI: Miami (2002) as Mercedes Escalante
- Without a Trace (2002) as Rosie Diaz
- Ten Tiny Love Stories (2002)
- Zig Zag (2002) as Ms. Tate
- Justice League (2001) as Paran Dul (voice)
- Impostor (2001) as Midwife (as Elizabeth Pena)
- Things Behind the Sun (2001) as Carmen
- Tortilla Soup (2001) as Leticia Narnjo
- On the Borderline (2001) as Connie
- Boston Public (2000) as Superintendent Elizabeth Vasquez
- Resurrection Blvd. (2000) as Beatrice 'Bibi' Corrales
- Seven Girlfriends (2000) as Martha
- Border Line (1999) as Maria Rodriguez
- A Piece of the Action: Behind the Scenes of Rush Hour (1999) as Self
- Rush Hour (1998) as Johnson
- Strangeland (1998) as Toni Gage
- Aldrich Ames: Traitor Within (1998) as Rosario Ames
- The Pass (1998) as Zeena
- Dellaventura (1997) as Simone
- Gridlock'd (1997) as Admissions Person
- The Second Civil War (1997) as Christina Fernandez
- Contagious (1997) as Det. Luisa Rojas
- Two (1996) as Elizabeth Gaitan
- Lone Star (1996) as Pilar Cruz
- Recon (1996) as Officer Santiago
- The Outer Limits (1995) as Dr. Jennifer Martinez
- Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home (1995) as Kate Haley
- The Invaders (1995) as Ellen Garza
- The Invaders (1995) as Ellen Garza
- It Came from Outer Space II (1995) as Ellen Fields
- Across the Moon (1994) as Carmen
- Roommates (1994) as Lisa
- Dead Funny (1994) as Viv Saunders
- The Waterdance (1992) as Rosa
- Fugitive Among Us (1992) as Flo Martin
- Dream On (1990) as Debra
- Jacob's Ladder (1990) as Jezzie
- Shannon's Deal (1990) as Lucy Acosta
- Blue Steel (1990) as Tracy Perez
- Drug Wars: The Camarena Story (1990) as Mika Camarena
- Building 'Jacob's Ladder' (1990) as Self
- Shannon's Deal (1989) as Lucy Acosta
- Vibes (1988) as Consuelo
- La Bamba (1987) as Rosie Morales
- *batteries not included (1987) as Marisa Esteval
- I Married Dora (1987) as Dora Calderon
- L.A. Law (1986) as Jinx Baldasseri
- Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986) as Carmen
- Tough Cookies (1986)
- Crossover Dreams (1985) as Liz Garcia
- T. J. Hooker (1982) as Maria
- Cagney & Lacey (1982)
- Hill Street Blues (1981)
- They All Laughed (1981) as Rita
- Times Square (1980) as Disco Hostess
- El Super (1979) as Aurelita