In this Oct. 2, 2003 photo provided by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, actress Carmen Zapata poses with honorary Hollywood mayor Johnny Grant, left, and chamber president Leron Gubler, right, as she receives her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles. Zapata died Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014, at her Los Angeles home, surrounded by family and friends. She was 86. Her death was announced Tuesday, Jan. 7, by Luis Vela at the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts, a Los Angeles organization that Zapata founded. Zapata started her career in 1945 in the Broadway musical "Oklahoma" and went on to perform in "Bells Are Ringing," "Guys and Dolls" and many plays. Her movie credits include "Sister Act," "Gang Boys" and "Carola," as well as dozens of television series. (AP Photo/Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, Bob Freeman)
January 07, 2014 - 12:15 PM
LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Colleagues say actress Carmen Zapata has died of heart problems. She was 86.
Her death was announced Tuesday by Luis Vela at the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts, a Los Angeles organization that Zapata founded.
Vela says Zapata died Sunday at her Los Angeles home surrounded by family.
Zapata started her career in 1945 in the Broadway musical "Oklahoma" and went on to perform in "Bells Are Ringing," ''Guys and Dolls" and many plays.
Her movie credits include "Sister Act," ''Gang Boys" and "Carola." She appeared in dozens of television series, including nine seasons on the PBS bilingual children's show "Villa Alegre."
In 1973, Zapata founded the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts, which produces plays by Hispanic writers.
News from © The Associated Press, 2014