Who Is Lupe Ontiveros? Age, Biography and Wiki
Lupe Ontiveros was born on September 17, 1942, making her 83 years old in 2025. She was an American actress renowned for her powerful performances in both film and television. With a career that spanned several decades, she was a prominent figure in bringing Latino representation to Hollywood, particularly through her roles in films such as "Selena" and television series like "Desperate Housewives." Her contributions to the arts are celebrated even years after her passing in 2012.
| Occupation | Stage Actress |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | September 17, 1942 |
| Age | 69 Years |
| Birth Place | El Paso, Texas, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Virgo |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 26 July, 2012 |
| Died Place | Whittier, California, U.S. |
Popularity
Lupe Ontiveros's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Lupe Ontiveros was known for her petite frame, standing at approximately 5 feet 1 inch (155 cm) tall. She maintained a healthy body weight throughout her life, generally ranging around 130 lbs (59 kg). Though specifics about her measurements remain less documented, Lupe's vibrant personality and distinctive style were what truly made her stand out in the industry.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Throughout her life, Lupe Ontiveros remained private about her personal relationships. She was married to her husband, actor and artist Elias Ontiveros, with whom she shared a family. Lupe was a proud mother of three children, highlighting the importance of family in her life. While specific details about her dating history remain mostly undisclosed, her commitment to her family was evident to those who knew her well.
After marrying Elías Ontiveros in 1966, the couple moved to California to realize his dream of starting an automotive business. During a period of dissatisfaction with her career as a social worker, Ontiveros was trying to decide whether to go back to school for a nursing degree when she saw an article about a need for local film extras.
With her husband's encouragement, Ontiveros took the job and parlayed it into a long stage and screen career.
Prior to acting, she had worked for 18 years as a social worker, and Ontiveros continued as an activist with many of the same causes with which she worked in that profession, such as domestic violence prevention and AIDS awareness and prevention.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of her passing in 2012, Lupe Ontiveros had an estimated net worth of around $2 million. Her income sources included her acting career, which spanned over 30 years, as well as various endorsements and appearances. While we do not have updated figures as of 2025, the legacy she left behind likely continues to influence her earnings posthumously through royalties from her work.
Career, Business, and Investments
Lupe Ontiveros began her career in theatre and quickly transitioned to film and television, becoming a celebrated actress known for her versatility. She appeared in over 100 productions, with roles that often showcased the struggles and triumphs of the Latino community. Beyond acting, Lupe was also involved in various initiatives to promote Latino arts, including co-founding the Latino Theatre Company in Los Angeles. Any business or investment ventures she pursued during her lifetime focused primarily on her passion for the arts and advocacy for representation in media.
During her acting career, Ontiveros participated in the web series Los Americans (2011), which is characterized by having a multigenerational focus, a middle-class family living in Los Angeles. During the series, she participated with Esai Morales, Tony Plana, Yvonne DeLaRosa, JC Gonzalez, Raymond Cruz and Ana Villafañe.
Social Network
Although she passed away in 2012, Lupe Ontiveros remains a significant figure on social media, particularly among fans and organizations that honor her legacy. Tributes and memories shared on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook keep her spirit alive, where fans celebrate her life and contributions to the entertainment industry.
One of her most prominent early film roles was in the 1983 Gregory Nava film El Norte, in which Ontiveros played a seamstress and maid who acts as mentor to a newly arrived immigrant girl from Guatemala. In a 2004 interview with the Dominican newspaper Listin Diario, Ontiveros called El Norte "the film that always will remain in me...
[it] tells the immigrants' story" when asked to name her favorite film from her long career. Ontiveros played the housekeeper, Rosalita, a Spanish-speaking maid hired to assist in the packing and moving of the Walsh family in the hit adventure film The Goonies (1985) and a housekeeper in Dolly Dearest (1992).
Ontiveros also had a notable cameo appearance in Blood In Blood Out (1993) as Carmen, a drug dealer who Paco (Benjamin Bratt) busts in a sting operation as an undercover cop pretending to be a drug dealer.
Education
Lupe Ontiveros was educated at the California State University, Los Angeles, where she studied theatre. Her education laid the groundwork for her successful career in acting, enabling her to hone her craft and pursue her passion for storytelling through performance.
Lupe was raised Roman Catholic and graduated from El Paso High School and went on to study at Texas Woman's University in Denton, Texas, where she received a bachelor's degree in social work in 1964.
