Liza Colón-Zayas
Updated: 12/20/2025, 2:46:44 PM Wikipedia source
Liza Colón-Zayas (born July 15, 1972) is an American actress and playwright. She is best known for playing Tina Marrero on the comedy-drama series The Bear, for which she won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2024, becoming the first Latina to win a Primetime Emmy in that category.
Infobox
Born
Liza Colón (1972-07-15) July 15, 1972 (age 53)New York City, U.S.
Occupation(s)
Actress, playwright
Years active
1994–present
Spouse
mw- David Zayas (m. 1998)
Occupations
Actress, playwright
Tables
· Acting credits › Film
1995
The Keeper
Role(s)
C.O. Melendez
2007
Goodbye Baby
Role(s)
Host
2015
The Stockroom
Role(s)
April
2016
Role(s)
Dawn
Role(s)
Linda Ramirez
Role(s)
Trevor's Mom
2018
Breaking Brooklyn
Role(s)
Ms. Cruz
2020
Before/During/After
Role(s)
Juanita
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1995 | The Keeper | Melendez | |
| 2002 | Unfaithful | Grumpy teacher | |
| Apartment | Yolanda | ||
| 2004 | Keane | 1st Ticket Agent | |
| 2005 | Heights | Ana | |
| 2006 | Freedomland | Bea | |
| United 93 | Waleska Martinez | ||
| 2007 | Goodbye Baby | Host | |
| 2008 | Righteous Kill | Judge Angel Rodriguez | |
| 2011 | Margaret | Nurse | |
| 2012 | Won't Back Down | Yvonne | |
| 2013 | All Is Bright | Mother of Six | |
| 2015 | The Stockroom | April | |
| 2016 | The Purge: Election Year | Dawn | |
| All at Once | Linda Ramirez | ||
| Collateral Beauty | Trevor's Mom | ||
| 2017 | Lost Cat Corona | Jasmine | |
| 2018 | Breaking Brooklyn | Ms. Cruz | |
| 2020 | Before/During/After | Juanita | |
| 2021 | Naked Singularity | Liszt | |
| 2022 | Allswell in New York | Ida | |
| 2023 | Cat Person | Officer Elaine | |
| 2024 | IF | Janet | |
| 2026 | Spider-Man: Brand New Day † | TBA | Post-production |
· Acting credits › Television
2001
2002–2022
Role(s)
Law & Order
Notes
Luisa / Sherry Velez / Lara Vega
2004
2004–2015
Role(s)
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Notes
Dolores Rodriguez / Cyndi
2006
2009
2010
2011
2013
Assistance
Role(s)
Dorothy
Notes
Television film
2015
Get Some!
Role(s)
Mickie Martell
Notes
Episode: "Chopped"
2016
The Pearl
Role(s)
Eileen Rosado
Notes
Television film
2019
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1994 | New York Undercover | Speaker | Episode: "Los Macheteros" |
| 2000 | Deadline | Social Worker | Episode: "Daniel in the Lion's Den" |
| 2001 | Third Watch | Maria | Episode: "Adam 55-3" |
| 2002–2022 | Law & Order | Luisa / Sherry Velez / Lara Vega | 3 episodes |
| 2004 | Sex and the City | Melita | Episode: "Splat!" |
| Hope & Faith | Rusti | Episode: "Queer as Hope" | |
| 2004–2015 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Dolores Rodriguez / Cyndi | 3 episodes |
| 2005 | Jonny Zero | Lucia | Episode: "La Familia" |
| 2006 | Conviction | Muldoon | Episode: "Breakup" |
| The Bedford Diaries | Dr. Stern | Episode: "Abstinence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder" | |
| 2007 | Rescue Me | Sarah | Episode: "Balance" |
| 2008 | House | Maria | Episode: "Emancipation" |
| 2009 | Taking Chance | Ticketing Agent | Television film |
| Nurse Jackie | Mrs. Armando | Episode: "School Nurse" | |
| 2010 | How to Make It in America | Gloria | Episode: "Big in Japan" |
| Dexter | Paloma Aragon | Episode: "Take It!" | |
| 2011 | Louie | Miss Hernandez | 2 episodes |
| Hung | Gloria | Episode: "The Whole Beefalo" | |
| 2013 | Assistance | Dorothy | Television film |
| 2015 | Get Some! | Mickie Martell | Episode: "Chopped" |
| 2016 | Unforgettable | Laura Barton | Episode: "Bad Company" |
| Blue Bloods | Ana Baez | Episode: "Stomping Grounds" | |
| The Pearl | Eileen Rosado | Television film | |
| 2017 | Bull | ADA Jessica Goodman | Episode: "Already Gone" |
| 2018 | Titans | Detective Jessica Perez | 2 episodes |
| 2019 | Proven Innocent | Lucia Rincon | Episode: "Pilot" |
| David Makes Man | Principal Fallow | 6 episodes | |
| 2021 | In Treatment | Rita Ortiz | |
| 2022–present | The Bear | Tina Marrero | Main role, 35 episodes |
· Acting credits › Theatre
1995
¡Olé!
Role(s)
Liza (Sistah Supreme)
Notes
Off-Broadway; Playwright
2003
Our Lady of 121st Street
Role(s)
Norca
Notes
Off-Broadway
Living Out
Role(s)
Zoila Tezo
Notes
Off-Broadway
2007
A View From 151st Street
Role(s)
Lea
Notes
Off-Broadway
2008
The Little Flower of East Orange
Role(s)
Magnolia / Nurse 1 / Pope John XXIII
Notes
Off-Broadway
2015
Second Stage Theater Production
2017
The Blameless
Role(s)
Amanda Garcia
Notes
Regional
2019
Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven
Role(s)
Sarge
Notes
Atlantic Theatre's Off-Broadway World Premiere
2022
Between Riverside and Crazy
Role(s)
Church Lady
Notes
Original Broadway Production
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1995 | ¡Olé! | Liza (Sistah Supreme) | Off-Broadway; Playwright |
| 1999 | In Arabia, We'd All Be Kings | Daisy | Original Off-Broadway cast |
| 2003 | Our Lady of 121st Street | Norca | Off-Broadway |
| Living Out | Zoila Tezo | Off-Broadway | |
| 2005 | The Last Days of Judas Iscariot | Gloria / Mother Teresa | Off-Broadway |
| 2007 | A View From 151st Street | Lea | Off-Broadway |
| 2008 | The Little Flower of East Orange | Magnolia / Nurse 1 / Pope John XXIII | Off-Broadway |
| 2009 | Othello | Emilia | Off-Broadway |
| 2012 | Water by the Spoonful | Haiku Mom | Second Stage Theater Production |
| 2014 | Between Riverside and Crazy | Church Lady | Atlantic Theater Production |
| 2015 | Second Stage Theater Production | ||
| 2017 | Mary Jane | Sherrie | New York Theatre Workshop Production |
| The Blameless | Amanda Garcia | Regional | |
| 2019 | Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven | Sarge | Atlantic Theatre's Off-Broadway World Premiere |
| 2022 | Between Riverside and Crazy | Church Lady | Original Broadway Production |
· Awards and nominations › Film and television
2023
2023
Year
2023
Association
Imagen Awards
Category
Best Supporting Actress – Comedy (Television)
Project
The Bear
Result
Won
Screen Actors Guild Awards
Screen Actors Guild Awards
Year
Screen Actors Guild Awards
Association
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
Category
Nominated
2024
2024
Year
2024
Association
Won
Primetime Emmy Awards
Primetime Emmy Awards
Year
Primetime Emmy Awards
Association
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Category
Won
Imagen Awards
Imagen Awards
Year
Imagen Awards
Association
Best Supporting Actress – Comedy (Television)
Category
Won
2025
2025
Year
2025
Association
Golden Globes Awards
Category
Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role on Television
Project
Nominated
| Year | Association | Category | Project | Result | Ref. |
| 2023 | Imagen Awards | Best Supporting Actress – Comedy (Television) | The Bear | Won | |
| Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | Nominated | |||
| 2024 | Won | ||||
| Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | Won | |||
| Imagen Awards | Best Supporting Actress – Comedy (Television) | Won | |||
| 2025 | Golden Globes Awards | Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role on Television | Nominated |
· Awards and nominations › Theatre
2004
2004
Year
2004
Association
Lucille Lortel Awards
Category
Outstanding Featured Actress
Project
Living Out
Result
Nominated
2015
2015
Year
2015
Association
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play
Category
Between Riverside and Crazy
Project
Won
2018
2018
Year
2018
Association
Mary Jane
Category
Nominated
2020
2020
Year
2020
Association
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play
Category
Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven
Project
Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Awards
Outer Critics Circle Awards
Year
Outer Critics Circle Awards
Association
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play
Category
Won
Obie Awards
Obie Awards
Year
Obie Awards
Association
Performance Award
Category
Won
Drama League Awards
Drama League Awards
Year
Drama League Awards
Association
Distinguished Performance Award
Category
Nominated
Drama Desk Awards
Drama Desk Awards
Year
Drama Desk Awards
Association
Outstanding Actress in a Play
Category
Won
2021
2021
Year
2021
Association
Dramatists Guild Foundation
Category
Madge Evans and Sidney Kingsley Award
Project
Won
| Year | Association | Category | Project | Result | Ref. |
| 2004 | Lucille Lortel Awards | Outstanding Featured Actress | Living Out | Nominated | |
| 2015 | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play | Between Riverside and Crazy | Won | ||
| 2018 | Mary Jane | Nominated | |||
| 2020 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play | Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven | Nominated | ||
| Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play | Won | |||
| Obie Awards | Performance Award | Won | |||
| Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Award | Nominated | |||
| Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Play | Won | |||
| 2021 | Dramatists Guild Foundation | Madge Evans and Sidney Kingsley Award | Won | ||
References
- The Hollywood Reporterhttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/2024-emmys-liveblog-updates-1236000031/
- Shondalandhttps://www.shondaland.com/inspire/a44375270/the-bear-star-liza-colon-zayas-pinches-herself-daily/
- The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/24/style/liza-colon-zayass-medallion.html
- LAByrinth Theatre Companyhttps://web.archive.org/web/20070928123113/http://www.labtheater.org/companymembers/member12.html
- Broadway.comhttps://www.broadway.com/buzz/stars/liza-colon-zayas/profile/
- Playbillhttps://playbill.com/article/stephen-adly-guirgis-elizabeth-canavan-liza-colon-zayas-and-elizabeth-rodriguez-honored-by-dramatists-guild-foundation
- Our Lady of 121st Streethttps://theater2.nytimes.com/mem/theater/treview.html?res=9C03EEDD1138F930A35753C1A9649C8B63
- theatermania.comhttps://www.theatermania.com/news/interview-liza-colon-zayas-is-between-the-bear-and-riverside-and-crazy-on-broadway_94630/
- Reel Chicago Newshttps://reelchicago.com/article/stewart-talent-celebrates-two-sag-award-noms/
- Deadlinehttps://deadline.com/2020/11/in-treatment-liza-colon-zayas-john-benjamin-hickey-quintessa-swindell-recur-hbo-series-1234617174/
- The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/21/arts/television/liza-colon-zayas-between-riverside-and-crazy.html
- Vanity Fairhttps://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/06/making-a-scene-the-bear
- The New Yorkerhttps://www.newyorker.com/goings-on-about-town/theatre/riverside-crazy-2
- "Flamin' Hot Takes Home Best Feature Film, Best Director and Best Actor at 38th Annual Imagen Awards"https://www.imagen.org/2023/12/38th-annual-imagen-awards-winners/#:~:text=This%20year's%20Imagen%20Award%20winners,his%20performance%20in%20Flamin'%20Hot.
- The Wall Street Journalhttps://www.wsj.com/articles/how-liza-colon-zayas-everyones-favorite-line-cook-from-the-bear-cooks-at-home-79a83331
- Television Academyhttps://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2024/outstanding-supporting-actress-in-a-comedy-series
- Deadlinehttps://deadline.com/2023/10/liza-colon-zayas-the-bear-signs-liebman-entertainment-1235588868/
- The Hollywood Reporterhttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/2024-emmys-liveblog-updates-1236000031/
- Deadlinehttps://deadline.com/2025/05/spider-man-brand-new-day-casts-liza-colon-zayas-1236389841/
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/culture/2006/jun/02/1
- The Hollywood Reporterhttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/wont-back-down-film-review-374060/
- The Hollywood Reporterhttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/naked-singularity-film-review-san-francisco-2021-4162288/
- The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/05/movies/naked-singularity-review.html
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2021/film/news/allswell-wraps-production-indie-elizabeth-rodriguez-liza-colon-zayas-daphne-rubin-vega-1235111629/
- Screen Dailyhttps://www.screendaily.com/news/marvels-spider-man-brand-new-day-kicks-off-glasgow-shoot/5207461.article
- Los Angeles Timeshttps://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/awards/story/2022-11-22/the-bear-ayo-edebiri-fx-series
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2025/tv/awards/emmys-2025-diversity-worst-showing-actors-color-1236448971/
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2023/01/2023-sag-awards-nominations-list-film-tv-nominees-screen-actors-guild-1235216790/
- "Nominations Announced for the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®"https://www.sagawards.org/media/news/releases/nominations-announced-30th-annual-screen-actors-guild-awardsr
- Television Academyhttps://www.emmys.com/sites/default/files/Downloads/76thnominations-list-v1.pdf?q=2024&q1=
- "Winners of the 39th Annual Imagen Awards Announced"https://www.imagen.org/2024/09/winners-39th-annual-imagen-awards/
- NMEhttps://www.nme.com/news/film/golden-globes-2025-see-the-full-list-of-winners-3826190
- BroadwayWorldhttps://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Liza-Colon-Zayas/
- "Liza Colón-Zayas"https://web.archive.org/web/20250324072916/https://www.iobdb.com/CreditableEntity/17361