Edith Diaz

Edith Diaz (October 23, 1949 – December 19, 2009) was a Puerto Rican actress known for roles in film, television and stage. She co-founded the Screen Actors Guild's Ethnic Minorities Committee in 1972. Diaz was born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. She studied under noted acting teacher, Stella Adler, and at the Actors Studio in New York City. Her film credits included Born on the Fourth of July in 1989, Sister Act in 1992, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit in 1993, Nick of Time in 1995, First Watch in 2003 and Oh Baby! in 2008. On television, Diaz appeared in the short-lived 1975-76 CBS television series, Popi, which starred Hector Elizondo. Popi which aired on CBS for eleven episodes, was one of the first television series on American network television to feature a Hispanic theme and cast. Her other television credits included guest roles on St. Elsewhere, All in the Family, Barney Miller and The Twilight Zone. In 1991, she played Desi Arnaz's mother, Dolores (Mother Arnaz), in the television movie, Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter, on CBS. Also appeared in a Hawaii Five-0 (the original show, as both Rita Salazar and Maria Ramos) in the episode "A Bullet for El Diablo" (first aired 11-13-73). Diaz co-founded the Screen Actors Guild Ethnic Minorities Committee in 1972 with Henry Darrow, Carmen Zapata and Ricardo Montalban. Edith Diaz died of heart failure on December 19, 2009, at a nursing home in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, at the age of 60 She was survived by her sister, Nilsa; brother, Arcadio Diaz Quinones; two nephews and four nieces. Actress Miluka Rivera, who serves on the SAG Ethnic Minorities Committee called Diaz a "gifted performer, a union Latino rights activist and a loving friend."