---
name: "Elizabeth Peña"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/elizabeth-pena"
fi1m_id: "elizabeth-pena"
imdb_id: "nm0001615"
tmdb_id: 7430
wikidata_id: "Q262267"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "23 September 1959"
died: "14 October 2014"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 7
average_fi1m_score: 75
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 7
updated: "2026-10-05T01:18:16.894584+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Elizabeth Peña

## Identity

Elizabeth Peña

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/elizabeth-pena
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** elizabeth-pena
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001615
- **TMDB ID:** 7430
- **Wikidata ID:** Q262267
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Pe%C3%B1a, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q262267, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001615/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7430

Actor. Born 23 September 1959 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, USA. Died 14 October 2014.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 23 September 1959, Elizabeth, New Jersey, USA
- **Died:** 14 October 2014
- **Active:** 1986–2004
- **Also known as:** Elizabeth Pena, Elizabeth Maria Peña, Elizabeth Anne Dickinson
- **Frequently works with:** [Brad Bird](https://film.one/person/brad-bird.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 75, as actor, over 7 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 67 (3), 1990s 79 (3), 2000s 88 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 79 to 76 across 5 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 2 of 7 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 3, Drama 3, Action 2, Family 2, Mystery 2, Adventure 1
- **Screen time:** 13 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,097m across 7 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Pe%C3%B1a, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q262267, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001615/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7430

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Lone Star*](https://film.one/film/lone-star.md) (86), [*Jacob's Ladder*](https://film.one/film/jacobs-ladder.md) (80)
- **Disney+:** [*The Incredibles*](https://film.one/film/the-incredibles.md) (88)
- **Netflix:** [*La Bamba*](https://film.one/film/la-bamba.md) (72)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*Rush Hour*](https://film.one/film/rush-hour.md) (70)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Elizabeth Peña

> Elizabeth Peña’s strength is emotional directness, especially when a film has several other people to keep track of. We rate her most highly in *Lone Star*, where listening becomes as important as speaking.

In *Lone Star* (1996), Elizabeth Peña makes listening worth watching. Her Pilar Cruz gives John Sayles’s patient mystery an emotional directness it needs while the history of a Texas border town is being untangled. Chris Cooper’s Sam Deeds keeps the effort of thinking visible, and Peña gives the scenes an equally clear sense of what is felt. We were moved by her quiet attentiveness, which makes Pilar matter amid so many competing lives.

Supporting roles in *Down and Out in Beverly Hills* (1986) and *La Bamba* (1987) brought her wider notice. In *Jacob’s Ladder* (1990), she played Jezzie opposite Tim Robbins. Her casting often drew on sensuality and outspokenness, qualities that can make a small part register quickly. It also left her facing Latina stereotypes, and she turned stereotypical parts down. In *Lone Star*, Pilar is a history teacher, and Sayles gives her more to do than establish a strong presence.

For *Lone Star*, she recorded voices in Mexico as part of her preparation. The useful thing about that detail is how little the performance asks us to notice the work behind it. Sayles’s patient handling of the ensemble gives her time to listen and respond, rather than simply establish Pilar and move aside. His writing occasionally makes the connections between people too neat, and an actor cannot make every convenient link convincing. Peña does make Pilar worth caring about while we follow them.

She continued in supporting parts, including Detective Tania Johnson in *Rush Hour* (1998), and voiced Mirage in *The Incredibles* (2004). Her work took in independent drama, mainstream comedy and action, and animation, though supporting roles remained a limitation. We would not confuse a busy filmography with a succession of satisfying parts. Start with *Lone Star*, and watch her when somebody else is speaking.

## Biography

Elizabeth Peña was an American actress. Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, on 23 September 1959, she died in Los Angeles on 14 October 2014.

She graduated from New York's High School of Performing Arts in 1977 and was a founding member of the Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors. Her film roles included Jezzie in *Jacob's Ladder* (1990) and Pilar Cruz in *Lone Star* (1996), for which she received the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female.

Other credits include *Rush Hour* (1998) and the voice of Mirage in *The Incredibles* (2004). She also appeared in television series such as *Modern Family*.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, hollywoodreporter.com.*

## On Fi1m (7)

- *The Incredibles* (2004), Fi1m 88, as Mirage (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-incredibles.md)
- *Rush Hour* (1998), Fi1m 70, as Johnson — [page](https://film.one/film/rush-hour.md)
- *Lone Star* (1996), Fi1m 86, as Pilar Cruz — [page](https://film.one/film/lone-star.md)
- *Jacob's Ladder* (1990), Fi1m 80, as Jezzie — [page](https://film.one/film/jacobs-ladder.md)
- **batteries not included* (1987), Fi1m 63, as Marisa Esteval — [page](https://film.one/film/batteries-not-included.md)
- *La Bamba* (1987), Fi1m 72, as Rosie Morales — [page](https://film.one/film/la-bamba.md)
- *Down and Out in Beverly Hills* (1986), Fi1m 65, as Carmen — [page](https://film.one/film/down-and-out-in-beverly-hills.md)

## Complete filmography (90)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *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
- *Plush* (2013), as Dr. Lopez
- *Blaze You Out* (2013), as Dona
- *In the Dark* (2013), as Dr. Weinette
- *Common Law* (2012), series, as Travis' Foster Mother
- *Charlie's Angels* (2011), series, as Warden Gloria Galvez
- *The Perfect Family* (2011), as Christina Rayes
- *Down for Life* (2010), as Mrs. Castro
- *Mother and Child* (2009), as Lawyer
- *Modern Family* (2009), series, as Pilar Ramírez — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/modern-family.md)
- *Nothing Like the Holidays* (2008), as Anna Rodriguez
- *A Single Woman* (2008), as Storyteller
- *Racing for Time* (2008), as Flores
- *Love Comes Lately* (2007), as Esperanza
- *Dragon Wars: D-War* (2007), as Agent Linda Perez
- *Goal II: Living the Dream* (2007), as Rosa Maria
- *Adrift in Manhattan* (2007), as Isabel Parades
- *Sueno* (2005), as Mirabela
- *Ghost Whisperer* (2005), series, as Marla
- *The Lost City* (2005), as Miliciana (Zoraida) Muñoz
- *Keep Your Distance* (2005), as Holly
- *Down in the Valley* (2005), as Gale
- *Transamerica* (2005), as Margaret
- *American Dad!* (2005), series, as Store Owner (voice)
- *Numb3rs* (2005), series, as Sonya Benavides
- *How the Garcia Girls Spent Their Summer* (2005), as Lolita
- *The Incredibles* (2004), as Mirage (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/the-incredibles.md)
- *Maya & Miguel* (2004), series, as Rosa Santos (voice)
- *Suburban Madness* (2004), as Clara Harris
- *The Hollywood Mom's Mystery* (2004), as Theresa Shoe
- *Justice League Unlimited* (2004), series, as Paran-Dul (voice)
- *Justice League: Starcrossed - The Movie* (2004), as Paran Dul (voice)
- *NCIS* (2003), series, as Lina Reyes — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/ncis.md)
- *Without a Trace* (2002), series, as Rosie Diaz
- *CSI: Miami* (2002), series, as Mercedes Escalante
- *Ten Tiny Love Stories* (2002), Actor
- *Zig Zag* (2002), as Ms. Tate
- *Impostor* (2001), as Midwife (as Elizabeth Pena)
- *Justice League* (2001), series, as Paran Dul (voice)
- *On the Borderline* (2001), as Connie
- *Things Behind the Sun* (2001), as Carmen
- *Tortilla Soup* (2001), as Leticia Narnjo
- *Boston Public* (2000), series, as Superintendent Elizabeth Vasquez
- *Resurrection Blvd.* (2000), series, as Beatrice 'Bibi' Corrales
- *Seven Girlfriends* (2000), as Martha
- *Border Line* (1999), as Maria Rodriguez
- *Aldrich Ames: Traitor Within* (1998), as Rosario Ames
- *Strangeland* (1998), as Toni Gage
- *Rush Hour* (1998), as Johnson — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/rush-hour.md)
- *The Pass* (1998), as Zeena
- *The Second Civil War* (1997), as Christina Fernandez
- *Dellaventura* (1997), series, as Simone
- *Gridlock'd* (1997), as Admissions Person
- *Contagious* (1997), as Det. Luisa Rojas
- *Two* (1996), series, as Elizabeth Gaitan
- *Recon* (1996), as Officer Santiago
- *Lone Star* (1996), as Pilar Cruz — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/lone-star.md)
- *It Came from Outer Space II* (1995), as Ellen Fields
- *The Invaders* (1995), as Ellen Garza
- *The Invaders* (1995), series, as Ellen Garza
- *Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home* (1995), as Kate Haley
- *The Outer Limits* (1995), series, as Dr. Jennifer Martinez
- *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
- *Jacob's Ladder* (1990), as Jezzie — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/jacobs-ladder.md)
- *Dream On* (1990), series, as Debra
- *Shannon's Deal* (1990), series, as Lucy Acosta
- *Blue Steel* (1990), as Tracy Perez
- *Drug Wars: The Camarena Story* (1990), series, as Mika Camarena
- *Shannon's Deal* (1989), as Lucy Acosta
- *Vibes* (1988), as Consuelo
- **batteries not included* (1987), as Marisa Esteval — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/batteries-not-included.md)
- *I Married Dora* (1987), series, as Dora Calderon
- *La Bamba* (1987), as Rosie Morales — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/la-bamba.md)
- *L.A. Law* (1986), series, as Jinx Baldasseri
- *Tough Cookies* (1986), series, Actor
- *Down and Out in Beverly Hills* (1986), as Carmen — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/film/down-and-out-in-beverly-hills.md)
- *Crossover Dreams* (1985), as Liz Garcia
- *Cagney & Lacey* (1982), series, Actor — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/cagney-and-lacey.md)
- *T. J. Hooker* (1982), series, as Maria
- *They All Laughed* (1981), as Rita
- *Hill Street Blues* (1981), series, Actor — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/hill-street-blues.md)
- *Times Square* (1980), as Disco Hostess
- *El Super* (1979), as Aurelita

## Gallery

- ![Elizabeth Peña](https://film.one/media/person/77711/gallery-e3843c5e9f8f.jpg) Elizabeth Peña — Richard Sandoval, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/Actress%2C_Elizabeth_Pena_at_the_2009_East_Classic_Theater_Fundraiser.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Elizabeth Peña](https://film.one/media/person/77711/gallery-05bbd2b96803.jpg) Elizabeth Peña — Image via TMDB
- ![Elizabeth Peña](https://film.one/media/person/77711/gallery-5a7b4ff61241.jpg) Elizabeth Peña — Image via TMDB
- ![Elizabeth Peña](https://film.one/media/person/77711/gallery-6f5cfb9056f7.jpg) Elizabeth Peña — Image via TMDB

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/elizabeth-pena