Miriam Colon, Iconic Latina Film and Theater Actress, Dies at 80
The Hollywood Reporter
3/3/2017
Colon is most widely known for her role as Al Pacino's mother in 1983's 'Scarface.'
Miriam Colon, an icon in U.S. Latino theater who starred in films alongside Marlon Brando and Al Pacino, has died.
Her husband, Fred Valle, told The Associated Press that Colon died early Friday because of complications from a pulmonary infection. She was 80 years old.
Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Colon came to Los Angeles in the 1950s to study at the Actors Studio before earning roles in various films. She eventually founded the Puerto Rican Traveling Theater in New York where she helped cultivate young Latino actors and writers.
She is widely known as the mother of Tony Montana, played by Al Pacino, in the 1983 movie Scarface.
Colon earned acclaim for her role as the New Mexico Hispanic healer, Ultima, in the 2013 movie "Bless Me, Ultima" based on the novel by Rudolfo Anaya.
COLON, Miriam (Miriam Colon Valle)
Born: 8/20/1936, Ponce, Puerto Rico
Died: 3/3/2017, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.A.
Miriam Colon’s westerns – actress:
Gunsmoke (TV) – 1962, 1963, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1974 (Kisla, Shona, Amelita Avila, Indian woman, Mora, Paulette Duvalier, Mignon Anderson
Tales of Wells Fargo (TV) – 1959 (Rita)
Wanted: Dead or Alive (TV) – 1959 (Mrs. Gomez)
Bronco (TV) – 1960 (Abrana)
The Deputy (TV) – 1960 (Cita)
Overland Trail (TV) – 1960 (Aloka)
One Eyed Jacks (TV) – 1961 (Redhead)
The Tall Man (TV) – 1962 (Angelita Sanchez)
Death Valley Days (TV) – 1963 (Maria)
The Great Adventure (TV) – 1963 (Sarah Crow)
Have Gun – Will Travel (TV) – 1963 Punya)
Laramie (TV) – 1963 (Winema)
The Appaloosa – 1966 (Ana)
The Legend of Jesse James (TV) – 1966 (Theresa)
The Virginian (TV) – 1967 (Eva Talbot)
The High Chaparral (TV) – 1968 (Trinidad)
Bonanza (TV) – 1969 (Anita Lavez)
The Desperate Mission (TV) – 1969 (Claudina)
Streets of Laredo (TV) – 1995 (Estrella)
Lone Star – 1996 (Mercedes Cruz)
All the Pretty Horses – 2000 (Dona Alfonsa)