Full Name Selenis Leyva Role Actress Occupation Actress Siblings Marizol Leyva | Years active 1999-present Children Alina Leyva Name Selenis Leyva | |
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Born May 26, 1972 (age 43) Baracoa, Cuba Movies and TV shows Similar People Dascha Polanco, Yael Stone, Jackie Cruz, Uzo Aduba, Samira Wiley Profiles | ||
Oitnb actress selenis leyva on importance of afro latina representation
Selenis Leyva (born May 26, 1972) is a Cuban-born American actress. She is known for her role as Gloria Mendoza in the Netflix comedy-drama series Orange Is the New Black.
Contents
- Oitnb actress selenis leyva on importance of afro latina representation
- Cast of orange is the new black selenis leyva talks about the diversity of being an afro latina
- Life and career
- Filmography
- References
Cast of orange is the new black selenis leyva talks about the diversity of being an afro latina
Life and career
Leyva was born in Baracoa, Cuba and raised in the Bronx, New York City. She is of Cuban and Dominican descent. She has appeared in a number of Off-Broadway productions. On television, Leyva had a recurring role of Detective Mariluz Rivera in Law & Order, and also appeared in different roles on the show and on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. She has guest-starred on Third Watch, The Sopranos, The Good Wife, Girls, and Elementary.
In 2013, Leyva began starring as Gloria Mendoza, a Latina leader in the jail, in the Netflix comedy-drama series Orange Is the New Black. Her character was recurring for the first two seasons and she was promoted to series regular in Season 3. In 2015, she co-starred opposite Viola Davis and Catalina Sandino Moreno in the courtroom drama film Custody directed and written by James Lapine.
Leyva has one daughter, Alina. She is a supporter of the LGBT community and revealed in June 2015 that her sister Marizol is transgender.
Filmography
Actress
2023
Crater as
Maria
2022
Lopez vs. Lopez (TV Series short) as
Rosie
- Lopez vs. Last Call (2023) - Rosie
- Lopez vs. Bucket Crabs (2023) - Rosie
- Lopez vs. Corte Caliente (2023) - Rosie
- Lopez vs. The Godfather (2023) - Rosie
- Lopez vs. Goosey (2023) - Rosie
- Lopez vs. Dog Quinces (2023) - Rosie
- Lopez vs. Cheating (2023) - Rosie
- Lopez vs. Primos (2023) - Rosie
- Lopez vs. Work (2023) - Rosie
- Lopez vs. Second Chances (2023) - Rosie
- Lopez vs. Appropriation (2023) - Rosie
- Lopez vs. Neighbors (2023) - Rosie
- Lopez vs. Los Doyers (2023) - Rosie
- Lopez vs. Van Bryan (2023) - Rosie
- Lopez vs. Pride (2023) - Rosie
- Lopez vs. Ghosts (2023) - Rosie
- Lopez vs. Christmas (2022) - Rosie
- Lopez vs. Gaslighting (2022) - Rosie
- Lopez vs. Birthdays (2022) - Rosie
- Lopez vs. Espanol (2022) - Rosie
- Lopez vs. Anxiety (2022) - Rosie
- Pilot (2022) - Rosie
2023
Creed III as
Laura Chavez
2022
Gordita Chronicles (TV Series) as
Esmeralda
- In America We're Brave (2022) - Esmeralda
2022
Our Flag Means Death (TV Series) as
The Nun
- This Is Happening (2022) - The Nun
2022
Breaking as
Rosa Diaz
2020
Saved by the Bell (TV Series) as
Ana Jiménez
- From Curse to Worse (2021) - Ana Jiménez
- Rent-a-Mom (2020) - Ana Jiménez
- Pilot (2020) - Ana Jiménez
2020
Diary of a Future President (TV Series) as
Gabi Cañero-Reed
- Supreme Court Injustice (2021) - Gabi Cañero-Reed
- Brain Trust (2021) - Gabi Cañero-Reed
- United Nations (2021) - Gabi Cañero-Reed
- Pleading the Fifth (2021) - Gabi Cañero-Reed
- Strategic Alliance (2021) - Gabi Cañero-Reed
- The National Stage (2021) - Gabi Cañero-Reed
- First Gentleman (2021) - Gabi Cañero-Reed
- Quid Pro Quo (2021) - Gabi Cañero-Reed
- October Surprise (2021) - Gabi Cañero-Reed
- Back in Session (2021) - Gabi Cañero-Reed
- Two Party System (2020) - Gabi Cañero-Reed
- State of the Union (2020) - Gabi Cañero-Reed
- Matters of Diplomacy (2020) - Gabi Cañero-Reed
- Foreign Relations (2020) - Gabi Cañero-Reed
- Habeas Corpus (2020) - Gabi Cañero-Reed
- Whistleblower (2020) - Gabi Cañero-Reed
- The National Mall (2020) - Gabi Cañero-Reed
- Disaster Relief (2020) - Gabi Cañero-Reed
- The New Deal (2020) - Gabi Cañero-Reed
- Hello World (2020) - Gabi Cañero-Reed
2018
DuckTales (TV Series) as
Officer Cabrera
- Beaks in the Shell! (2021) - Officer Cabrera (voice)
- Moonvasion! (2019) - Officer Cabrera (voice)
- The Dangerous Chemistry of Gandra Dee! (2019) - Officer Cabrera (voice)
- Who is Gizmoduck?! (2018) - Officer Cabrera (voice)
2020
Shadows (Short) as
Pamela
2013
Orange Is the New Black (TV Series) as
Gloria Mendoza
- The Big House (2019) - Gloria Mendoza
- God Bless America (2019) - Gloria Mendoza
- The Thirteenth (2019) - Gloria Mendoza
- The Hidey Hole (2019) - Gloria Mendoza
- Baker's Dozen (2019) - Gloria Mendoza
- Me as Well (2019) - Gloria Mendoza
- Trapped in an Elevator (2019) - Gloria Mendoza (credit only)
- Minority Deport (2019) - Gloria Mendoza
- How to Do Life (2019) - Gloria Mendoza
- And Brown Is the New Orange (2019) - Gloria Mendoza
- Just Desserts (2019) - Gloria Mendoza (credit only)
- Here's Where We Get Off (2019) - Gloria Mendoza
- Beginning of the End (2019) - Gloria Mendoza
- Double Trouble (2018) - Gloria Mendoza
- Well This Took a Dark Turn (2018) - Gloria Mendoza
- Chocolate Chip Nookie (2018) - Gloria Mendoza
- Break the String (2018) - Gloria Mendoza
- Gordons (2018) - Gloria Mendoza
- Mischief Mischief (2018) - Gloria Mendoza
- Changing Winds (2018) - Gloria Mendoza
- State of the Uterus (2018) - Gloria Mendoza
- I'm the Talking Ass (2018) - Gloria Mendoza
- Look Out for Number One (2018) - Gloria Mendoza
- Sh*tstorm Coming (2018) - Gloria Mendoza
- Be Free (2018) - Gloria Mendoza
- Who Knows Better Than I (2018) - Gloria Mendoza
- Tattoo You (2017) - Gloria Mendoza
- Breaking the Fiberboard Ceiling (2017) - Gloria Mendoza
- The Reverse Midas Touch (2017) - Gloria Mendoza
- The Tightening (2017) - Gloria Mendoza
- Tied to the Tracks (2017) - Gloria Mendoza
- Full Bush, Half Snickers (2017) - Gloria Mendoza
- Flaming Hot Cheetos, Literally (2017) - Gloria Mendoza
- F*ck, Marry, Frieda (2017) - Gloria Mendoza
- Sing It, White Effie (2017) - Gloria Mendoza
- Pissters! (2017) - Gloria Mendoza
- Litchfield's Got Talent (2017) - Gloria Mendoza
- Storm-y Weather (2017) - Gloria Mendoza
- Riot FOMO (2017) - Gloria Mendoza
- Bunny, Skull, Bunny, Skull (2016) - Gloria Mendoza
- Friends in Low Places (2016) - Gloria Mendoza (credit only)
- Turn Table Turn (2016) - Gloria Mendoza
- Toast Can't Never Be Bread Again (2016) - Gloria Mendoza
- The Animals (2016) - Gloria Mendoza
- People Persons (2016) - Gloria Mendoza (credit only)
- It Sounded Nicer in My Head (2016) - Gloria Mendoza
- We'll Always Have Baltimore (2016) - Gloria Mendoza
- Piece of Sh*t (2016) - Gloria Mendoza
- Doctor Psycho (2016) - Gloria Mendoza
- (Don't) Say Anything (2016) - Gloria Mendoza
- Power Suit (2016) - Gloria Mendoza
- Work That Body for Me (2016) - Gloria Mendoza
- A Tittin' and a Hairin' (2015) - Gloria Mendoza
- Don't Make Me Come Back There (2015) - Gloria Mendoza
- We Can Be Heroes (2015) - Gloria Mendoza
- Trust No Bitch (2015) - Gloria Mendoza
- Fear, and Other Smells (2015) - Gloria Mendoza
- Tongue-Tied (2015) - Gloria Mendoza
- Ching Chong Chang (2015) - Gloria Mendoza
- Where My Dreidel At (2015) - Gloria Mendoza
- Fake It Till You Fake It Some More (2015) - Gloria Mendoza
- Empathy Is a Boner Killer (2015) - Gloria Mendoza (credit only)
- Finger in the Dyke (2015) - Gloria Mendoza
- Bed Bugs and Beyond (2015) - Gloria Mendoza
- Mother's Day (2015) - Gloria Mendoza
- We Have Manners. We're Polite. (2014) - Gloria Mendoza
- Little Mustachioed Shit (2014) - Gloria Mendoza
- 40 Oz. of Furlough (2014) - Gloria Mendoza
- Comic Sans (2014) - Gloria Mendoza
- It Was the Change (2014) - Gloria Mendoza
- Take a Break from Your Values (2014) - Gloria Mendoza
- Appropriately Sized Pots (2014) - Gloria Mendoza
- Low Self Esteem City (2014) - Gloria Mendoza
- A Whole Other Hole (2014) - Gloria Mendoza
- Hugs Can Be Deceiving (2014) - Gloria Mendoza
- You Also Have a Pizza (2014) - Gloria Mendoza
- Looks Blue, Tastes Red (2014) - Gloria Mendoza
- Fool Me Once (2013) - Gloria Mendoza
- Can't Fix Crazy (2013) - Gloria Mendoza
- Tall Men with Feelings (2013) - Gloria Mendoza
- Fucksgiving (2013) - Gloria Mendoza
- Moscow Mule (2013) - Gloria Mendoza
- Blood Donut (2013) - Gloria Mendoza
- Imaginary Enemies (2013) - Gloria Mendoza
- The Chickening (2013) - Gloria Mendoza
- WAC Pack (2013) - Gloria Mendoza
- Tit Punch (2013) - Gloria Mendoza
- I Wasn't Ready (2013) - Gloria Mendoza
1999
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV Series) as
Samantha Morgan / Lorinda Gutierrez
- Facing Demons (2019) - Samantha Morgan
- Hysteria (1999) - Lorinda Gutierrez
2018
Murphy Brown (TV Series) as
Maria Gonzales
- Thanksgiving and Taking (2018) - Maria Gonzales
2018
Maniac (TV Mini Series) as
Patricia Lugo
- Option C (2018) - Patricia Lugo
- Windmills (2018) - Patricia Lugo
- The Chosen One! (2018) - Patricia Lugo
2018
Dietland (TV Series) as
Belle
- Bedwomb (2018) - Belle
- Woman Down (2018) - Belle
2017
Spider-Man: Homecoming as
Ms. Warren
2017
I Can I Will I Did as
Maria
2016
Chapter & Verse as
Yolanda
2016
Custody as
Jackie
2015
Living with the Dead: A Love Story as
Dr. Quenda
2015
Veep (TV Series) as
Governor Ramos
- B/ill (2015) - Governor Ramos
2015
Madam Secretary (TV Series) as
Bolivian Ambassador Mariana Dominguez
- The Time Is at Hand (2015) - Bolivian Ambassador Mariana Dominguez
2015
Get Some! (TV Series) as
Jackie
- Secrets (2015) - Jackie
- Sisters (2015) - Jackie
2013
Pushing Dreams (TV Series) as
Nelly Benitez (2013)
2013
Epic as
Additional Voices (voice)
2013
The Following (TV Series) as
Detective Morales
- Chapter Two (2013) - Detective Morales
2012
Elementary (TV Series) as
Sara Castillo
- Child Predator (2012) - Sara Castillo
2012
Ice Age: Continental Drift as
Additional Voices (voice)
2012
Girls (TV Series) as
Chastity
- Hannah's Diary (2012) - Chastity
2011
Blue Bloods (TV Series) as
M.E. Craig
- Collateral Damage (2012) - M.E. Craig
- Leap of Faith (2012) - M.E. Craig
- Lonely Hearts Club (2011) - M.E. Craig
- Age of Innocence (2011) - M.E. Craig
2011
Person of Interest (TV Series) as
Hosking
- Number Crunch (2011) - Hosking
2002
Law & Order: Criminal Intent (TV Series) as
Detective Rivera / Warden's Secretary / Isabella Costas
- Icarus (2011) - Detective Rivera
- Prisoner (2005) - Warden's Secretary
- Homo Homini Lupus (2002) - Isabella Costas
2011
Man in the Mirror (Short) as
Sonia
2010
Trouble Child (Short) as
Celi
2010
The Whole Truth (TV Series) as
Claudia
- Liars (2010) - Claudia
2010
Sex and the City 2 as
Teacher
2010
The Good Wife (TV Series) as
Marisol
- Doubt (2010) - Marisol
1999
Law & Order (TV Series) as
Detective Mariluz Rivera / Rona Henderson / Nita Cabrera / ...
- Boy on Fire (2010) - Rona Henderson
- Corner Office (2006) - Detective Mariluz Rivera
- Kingmaker (2006) - Detective Mariluz Rivera
- Bible Story (2005) - Detective Mariluz Rivera
- New York Minute (2005) - Detective Mariluz Rivera
- House of Cards (2005) - Detective Mariluz Rivera
- Birthright (2005) - Detective Mariluz Rivera
- Age of Innocence (2005) - Detective Mariluz Rivera
- Red Ball (2005) - Detective Mariluz Rivera
- Locomotion (2005) - Detective Mariluz Rivera
- In God We Trust (2005) - Detective Mariluz Rivera
- Tombstone (2005) - Detective Mariluz Rivera
- Sects (2005) - Detective Mariluz Rivera
- The Sixth Man (2005) - Detective Mariluz Rivera
- Ain't No Love (2005) - Detective Mariluz Rivera
- Fixed (2004) - Detective Mariluz Rivera
- All in the Family (2004) - Detective Mariluz Rivera
- Gov Love (2004) - Detective Mariluz Rivera
- Cut (2004) - Detective Mariluz Rivera
- The Brotherhood (2004) - Detective Mariluz Rivera
- Veteran's Day (2004) - Nita Cabrera
- Sunday in the Park with Jorge (2001) - DeeDee Salazar
- Refuge: Part 2 (1999) - Louisa
2009
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs as
Additional Voice (voice)
2009
Don't Let Me Drown as
Sonia
2008
New Amsterdam (TV Series) as
Susan Boyle
- Pilot (2008) - Susan Boyle
2007
Ben's Plan as
Maria
2007
Dirty Sexy Money (TV Series) as
Det. Angelina Adams
- Pilot (2007) - Det. Angelina Adams
2007
Illegal Tender as
Wanda
2006
The Sopranos (TV Series) as
Jill Dibiaso
- Live Free or Die (2006) - Jill Dibiaso
2003
Third Watch (TV Series) as
Gonzalez / Phyllis
- Leap of Faith (2004) - Gonzalez
- Goodbye to All That (2003) - Phyllis
2004
Maria Full of Grace as
Customs Inspector
2002
Apartment #5C as
Luisa / Alfonso's Wife
2001
The $treet (TV Series) as
Kate
- Junk Bonds (2001) - Kate
2001
100 Centre Street (TV Series) as
Delfina Romero
- Kids: Part 2 (2001) - Delfina Romero
- Kids: Part 1 (2001) - Delfina Romero
2001
Taina (TV Series) as
Tita Rosa
- My Left Eye (2001) - Tita Rosa
- Undercover Girl (2001) - Tita Rosa
- Singing with the Enemy (2001) - Tita Rosa
- Friend or Phone (2001) - Tita Rosa
- Big Break (2001) - Tita Rosa
- A Twitch in the Tail (2001) - Tita Rosa
- I Want It That Way (2001) - Tita Rosa
- Charmed Braclet (2001) - Tita Rosa
- En Español (2001) - Tita Rosa
- Mega Funds (2001) - Tita Rosa
- Quinceanero (2001) - Tita Rosa
- Blue Mascara (2001) - Tita Rosa
- Be Careful What You Wish For (2001) - Tita Rosa
2000
Debutante (Video) as
Daisy Dominguez
Miscellaneous
2014
The Drop (voice cast)
2014
Let's Be Cops (adr voice artist)
2012
The Place Beyond the Pines (loop group)
2007
Day Zero (adr loop group)
2001
Novocaine (adr loop group)
2001
Julie Johnson (adr loop group)
Music Department
2003
Nola (background vocals)
Thanks
2020
Disclosure (Documentary) (special thanks)
Self
2015
Entertainment Tonight (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #42.83 (2022) - Self
- Episode dated 12 June 2015 (2015) - Self
2020
That One Audition (Podcast Series) as
Self
- Selenis Leyva- Leaving a Footprint: No One Can Tell You "It's Not for You" (2020) - Self
2020
OITNB X Color of Change: Reform, Solidarity, Action (TV Special) as
Self
2019
The Chuey Martinez Show (TV Series) as
Self
- Orders & Borders (2019) - Self
2019
Ok! TV (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #4.143 (2019) - Self
2017
The Daily Show (TV Series) as
Self
- Selenis Leyva (2017) - Self
2017
Harry (TV Series) as
Self
- Actor Kevin James/"Orange Is the New Black" Star Selenis Leyva/Leading Lady/How to Have a Cozy Date Night at Home/Harry Tries Bag Piping (2017) - Self
2016
The Noite com Danilo Gentili (TV Series) as
Self
- Nando Cunha (2016) - Self
2016
22nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (TV Special) as
Self - Winner
2016
The 2015 HOLA Awards (TV Special) as
Self
2016
The Real Housewives of Atlanta (TV Series) as
Self
- Shade for Days (2016) - Self
2015
Ice & Coco (TV Series) as
Self
- About Last Night/Colin Quinn/Selenis Leyva/Penn & Teller (2015) - Self
- Colin Quinn/Selenis Leyva/Penn & Teller (2015) - Self
2015
The 67th Primetime Emmy Awards (TV Special) as
Self - Audience Member
2015
The Wendy Williams Show (TV Series) as
Self
- OITNB/Grover the Muppet (2015) - Self
2014
Noches con Platanito (TV Series) as
Self - Guest
- Selenis Leyva/Lolita Foster/Camille Balsamo/Malaysia Pargo/Regulo Caro (2015) - Self - Guest
- Pedro Miguel Arce/Selenis Leyva/Daniella Macias/Jonny Cruz/El Cachorro (2014)
2015
Red Nose Day (TV Special) as
Self
2015
The 21st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (TV Special) as
Self - Winner
2014
Fashion News Live (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #18.49 (2014) - Self
- Episode #16.34 (2014) - Self
- Episode #16.33 (2014) - Self
2014
E! News (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 26 June 2014 (2014) - Self
2014
HuffPost Live Conversations (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #1.23 (2014) - Self
2013
LatiNation (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #10.4 (2013) - Self
References
Selenis Leyva Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA