---
name: "Lupe Ontiveros"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/lupe-ontiveros"
fi1m_id: "lupe-ontiveros"
imdb_id: "nm0648913"
tmdb_id: 28779
wikidata_id: "Q266804"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "17 September 1942"
died: "26 July 2012"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 3
average_fi1m_score: 75
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 3
updated: "2026-09-26T00:59:42.413631+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."
---

# Lupe Ontiveros

## Identity

Lupe Ontiveros

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/lupe-ontiveros
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** lupe-ontiveros
- **IMDb ID:** nm0648913
- **TMDB ID:** 28779
- **Wikidata ID:** Q266804
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lupe_Ontiveros, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q266804, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0648913/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/28779

Actor. Born 17 September 1942 in El Paso, Texas, U.S.. Died 26 July 2012.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 17 September 1942, El Paso, Texas, U.S.
- **Died:** 26 July 2012
- **Active:** 1983–1997
- **Also known as:** Lupe M. Ontiveros
- **Average Fi1m score:** 75, as actor, over 3 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 74 (2), 1990s 77 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 75 to 68 across 3 titles
- **Score spread:** 0 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 3 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Adventure 2, Comedy 2, Drama 2, Family 1, Romance 1
- **Screen time:** 7 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $384m across 2 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lupe_Ontiveros, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q266804, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0648913/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/28779

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*As Good as It Gets*](https://film.one/film/as-good-as-it-gets.md) (77)
- **Peacock:** [*The Goonies*](https://film.one/film/the-goonies.md) (76)

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

## Fi1m on Lupe Ontiveros

> Lupe Ontiveros brought humour and conviction to parts that too often confined her to a domestic job. We rate her generosity towards those characters, and the less predictable casting of *Chuck & Buck* makes the repetition harder to excuse.

Lupe Ontiveros was often the housekeeper on screen, giving a familiar supporting part humour and a sense of someone with her own concerns. In Richard Donner’s *The Goonies* (1985), she is Rosalita, the Spanish-speaking housekeeper in a treasure hunt largely carried by impatient children. We warmed to their eagerness to get on with it, even as the shouting wore us down. It remains good, noisy fun, despite the uneven pacing. For Ontiveros, Rosalita brought wider notice without taking her far from the domestic parts she was repeatedly offered.

In James L. Brooks’s *As Good as It Gets* (1997), she plays Nora Manning, another supporting role. We recommend the film chiefly for Helen Hunt and Greg Kinnear, while finding its efforts to make Melvin lovable a little forced. Neither film should be mistaken for a full account of Ontiveros’s abilities. Her steady supporting work across film and television, including three films with director Gregory Nava, gave her a substantial career without reliably giving her less familiar assignments. That distinction matters when choosing where to start with her.

Her performance as Yolanda Saldívar in *Selena* (1997) is convincing, drawing on the dramatic force that accompanied her comic timing. The more revealing change comes with Beverly Franco in *Chuck & Buck* (2000), a part not defined by a Latina stereotype. That casting allows her to be considered beyond the domestic roles that had become so routine. We would put it ahead of the more familiar titles as an introduction to her work, without pretending that one different assignment undid a career’s worth of repetition.

Nor was every return to a mother or housekeeper a waste. Her Carmen Garcia in *Real Women Have Curves* (2002) has the humanity she brought to narrow supporting parts, and the family setting suits her comic timing and dramatic strength. She put it plainly: “I’ve given every maid I’ve ever portrayed soul and heart.” We take that care seriously, even when the part is a familiar one. Start with *Chuck & Buck*; the familiar casting can wait.

## Biography

Lupe Ontiveros was an American actress. Born Guadalupe Moreno in El Paso, Texas, on 17 September 1942, she studied social work at Texas Woman's University before working as a social worker. She began acting in the 1970s after answering an advertisement for film extras.

Ontiveros appeared in numerous films and television series. Her credits include Rosalita in *The Goonies* (1985), Yolanda Saldívar in *Selena* (1997), Nora Manning in *As Good as It Gets* (1997), Beverly Franco in *Chuck & Buck* (2000) and Juanita 'Mama' Solis in *Desperate Housewives* (2004). She also had a recurring role in *Weeds* (2005).

She received a National Board of Review award for best supporting actress for *Chuck & Buck* and an Emmy nomination for her work on *Desperate Housewives*. Ontiveros founded the Latino Theater Company in Los Angeles in 1985 and estimated that she had played maids or housekeepers in at least 150 productions.

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

## On Fi1m (3)

- *As Good as It Gets* (1997), Fi1m 77, as Nora Manning — [page](https://film.one/film/as-good-as-it-gets.md)
- *The Goonies* (1985), Fi1m 76, as Rosalita — [page](https://film.one/film/the-goonies.md)
- *El Norte* (1983), Fi1m 72, as Nacha — [page](https://film.one/film/el-norte.md)

## Complete filmography (84)

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

- *Cry Now* (2014), as Rosario
- *The Journey of a Female Comic* (2014), Actor
- *Water & Power* (2014), as RHD Veteran
- *Guido* (2014), as Maria
- *Common Law* (2012), series, as Margie Lopez
- *¡Rob!* (2012), series, as Abuelita
- *Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2* (2011), as Mrs. Cortez
- *Lies in Plain Sight* (2010), as Doctor Stone
- *Our Family Wedding* (2010), as Momma Cecilia
- *Party Down* (2009), series, as Mrs. Gomez — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/party-down.md)
- *Tortilla Heaven* (2008), as Adelfa
- *Days of Wrath* (2008), as Anita Terrazas
- *Juan Frances: Live* (2008), as Nena
- *Universal Signs* (2008), as Claire · Producer
- *This Christmas* (2007), as Rosie
- *Reaper* (2007), series, as Ben's Grandmother
- *Cory in the House* (2007), series, as Mama Martínez
- *Dark Mirror* (2007), as Grace
- *A Girl Like Me: The Gwen Araujo Story* (2006), as Mami
- *Weeds* (2005), series, as Nun — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/weeds.md)
- *Mind of Mencia* (2005), series, Actor
- *Maya & Miguel* (2004), series, as Abuela Elena (voice)
- *Desperate Housewives* (2004), series, as Juanita 'Mama' Solis — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/desperate-housewives.md)
- *30 Days Until I'm Famous* (2004), as Rosa Moreno
- *Passionada* (2003), as Angelica Amonte
- *Real Women Have Curves* (2002), as Carmen Garcia
- *Mr. St. Nick* (2002), as Tia Sophia
- *Greetings from Tucson* (2002), series, as Magdalena Tiant
- *Leap of Faith* (2002), series, as Lupe
- *Storytelling* (2001), as Consuelo
- *Reba* (2001), series, as Penny
- *The Eggplant Lady* (2001), as Connie
- *The Brothers García* (2000), series, as Telenovela Actress, Abuelita Maria
- *Chuck & Buck* (2000), as Beverly
- *Picking Up the Pieces* (2000), as Constancia
- *Luminarias* (2000), Actor
- *Candyman: Day of the Dead* (1999), as Abuela
- *Family Guy* (1999), series, as Lauren Conrad's Maid (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/family-guy.md)
- *As Good as It Gets* (1997), as Nora Manning — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/as-good-as-it-gets.md)
- *Veronica's Closet* (1997), series, as Louisa
- *The Brave* (1997), as Maria
- *Selena* (1997), as Yolanda Saldívar
- *King of the Hill* (1997), series, as Anne (voice) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/king-of-the-hill-1997.md)
- *Caroline in the City* (1995), series, as Rosa
- *...And the Earth Did Not Swallow Him* (1995), as Doña Rosa
- *Dave's World* (1993), series, as Bingo Lady
- *Dudley* (1993), series, as Marta
- *Rio Diablo* (1993), as Ducna
- *Bound by Honor* (1993), as Carmen
- *Universal Soldier* (1992), as Gregor's Maid
- *Red Shoe Diaries* (1992), series, as Miguel's Mother
- *La Pastorela: The Shepherd's Tale* (1991), as Parranda
- *Dolly Dearest* (1991), as Camilla
- *A Show of Force* (1990), as Pepita
- *Tales from the Crypt* (1989), series, as Madame Leona
- *Those She Left Behind* (1989), as Rosa
- *Stones for Ibarra* (1988), as Remedios Acosta
- *I Married Dora* (1987), series, as Mama Calderon
- *The Rosary Murders* (1987), as Sophie
- *Born in East L.A.* (1987), as Rudy's Mother
- *When the Bough Breaks* (1986), as Cruz
- *The Goonies* (1985), as Rosalita — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/the-goonies.md)
- *Little Treasure* (1985), as Market Voice #1
- *Punky Brewster* (1984), series, as Mrs. Aragon
- *El Norte* (1983), as Nacha — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/el-norte.md)
- *The Border* (1982), as Madam in Whorehouse
- *Seguin* (1982), as Antonia Flores
- *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Antonia Flores, Nacha, La Vendedora
- *Fame* (1982), series, Actor
- *Zoot Suit* (1981), as Dolores
- *Hill Street Blues* (1981), series, Actor — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/hill-street-blues.md)
- *Cheech & Chong's Next Movie* (1980), as Old Lady
- *The White Shadow* (1978), series, as Mrs. Gomez
- *The Big Fix* (1978), as Maid
- *The Boss' Son* (1978), as Maria
- *California Suite* (1978), as Maid
- *A Question of Guilt* (1978), as Helen
- *The World's Greatest Lover* (1977), as Whore #2
- *Soap* (1977), series, as Lady in Airport
- *Eight Is Enough* (1977), series, Actor
- *Charlie's Angels* (1976), series, as Maid
- *Alice* (1976), series, Actor
- *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, as Remedios Acosta
- *The Americans*, series, as Lucia Valenzuela

## Gallery

- ![Lupe Ontiveros](https://film.one/media/person/87522/gallery-a203b710f45c.jpg) Lupe Ontiveros — Festival Internacional de Cine en Guadalajara, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d1/Lupe_Ontiveros.jpg/1280px-Lupe_Ontiveros.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Guadalajara, Jalisco, 11 de marzo de 2008. Lupe Ontiveros entregó los Mayahueles al Cine Argentino.](https://film.one/media/person/87522/gallery-7d0e63e9210c.jpg) Guadalajara, Jalisco, 11 de marzo de 2008. Lupe Ontiveros entregó los Mayahueles al Cine Argentino. — Festival Internacional de Cine en Guadalajara, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/01/Lupe_Ontiveros_%28Guadalajara_Film_Festival%29.jpg/1280px-Lupe_Ontiveros_%28Guadalajara_Film_Festival%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Guadalajara, Jalisco, 11 de marzo de 2008. Lupe Ontiveros entregó los Mayahueles al Cine Argentino.](https://film.one/media/person/87522/gallery-9d7b6897812d.jpg) Guadalajara, Jalisco, 11 de marzo de 2008. Lupe Ontiveros entregó los Mayahueles al Cine Argentino. — Festival Internacional de Cine en Guadalajara, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c8/Lupe_Ontiveros_%28Guadalajara_Film_Festival%29_2.jpg/1280px-Lupe_Ontiveros_%28Guadalajara_Film_Festival%29_2.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Guadalajara, Jalisco, 14 de marzo de 2008. Lupe Ontiveros, integrante del jurado.](https://film.one/media/person/87522/gallery-d023f82fbbf3.jpg) Guadalajara, Jalisco, 14 de marzo de 2008. Lupe Ontiveros, integrante del jurado. — Festival Internacional de Cine en Guadalajara, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f0/Lupe_Ontiveros_%28Guadalajara_Film_Festival%29_3.jpg/1280px-Lupe_Ontiveros_%28Guadalajara_Film_Festival%29_3.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Lupe Ontiveros](https://film.one/media/person/87522/gallery-9e4dbc62894c.jpg) Lupe Ontiveros — Image via TMDB
- ![Lupe Ontiveros](https://film.one/media/person/87522/gallery-9ea65bcf3196.jpg) Lupe Ontiveros — Image via TMDB
- ![22/03/09 Emir Kusturica recibió de manos de Guadalaupe Ontiveros el Mayahuel de Plata en su versión Premio Guadalajara Internacional de esta edición del FICG24. (2009)](https://film.one/media/person/87522/gallery-26d4edd558d3.jpg) 22/03/09 Emir Kusturica recibió de manos de Guadalaupe Ontiveros el Mayahuel de Plata en su versión Premio Guadalajara Internacional de esta edición del FICG24. (2009) — Festival Internacional de Cine en Guadalajara, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/69/Lupe_Ontiveros_%28Guadalajara_Film_Festival%29_4.jpg/1280px-Lupe_Ontiveros_%28Guadalajara_Film_Festival%29_4.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

---
© 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/lupe-ontiveros