Lupe Ontiveros, born Guadalupe Moreno on September 17, 1942, in El Paso, Texas, was an American actress known for her extensive work in film, television, and theater. She was the daughter of Luz "Lucita" Castañón and Juan Moreno, middle-class Mexican immigrants who owned a tortilla factory and two restaurants in El Paso. 

Lupe Ontiveros graduated from El Paso High School and went on to study at Texas Woman's University in Denton, Texas, where she received a bachelor's degree in social work in 1964. After marrying Elías Ontiveros in 1966, the couple moved to California to realize his dream of starting an automotive business. 

During a period of dissatisfaction with her career as a social worker, she saw an article about a need for local film extras and, with her husband's encouragement, took the job, which led to a long stage and screen career.

Lupe Ontiveros began her acting career in the late 1970s, making her debut in the film "El Norte." She quickly gained recognition for her talent and versatility, appearing in numerous films and television shows.

One of her most prominent early film roles was in the 1983 Gregory Nava film "El Norte," in which she played a seamstress and maid who acts as a mentor to a newly arrived immigrant girl from Guatemala. She estimated that she had played a maid at least 150 times on stage and screen, and she wanted to see more diverse roles available to Latina actors. 

She was proud to represent those who labor in this country and gave every maid she portrayed soul and heart. She played the housekeeper Rosalita in the hit adventure film "The Goonies" (1985) and a housekeeper in "Dolly Dearest" (1992). She also portrayed Yolanda Saldívar in the 1997 film "Selena," which brought her widespread recognition.

In addition to her film work, Lupe Ontiveros had a successful television career. She was nominated for an Emmy Award for her work on "Desperate Housewives" and received critical acclaim for her role in "Chuck & Buck," for which she won the National Board of Review award for Best Supporting Actress and was also nominated for an Independent Spirit Award. 

Lupe Ontiveros appeared in numerous television shows, including "The Love Boat," "Murder, She Wrote," "Newhart," and "The Brothers García." She was also a regular panelist on the game show "I've Got a Secret" from 1958 to 1967.

She and her husband, Elías Ontiveros, had three children together. She was an advocate for Latino representation in Hollywood and was involved in various activism efforts to promote diversity in the entertainment industry. She was also a vocal advocate for domestic violence prevention and AIDS awareness and prevention. 

Her passion for helping others extended beyond her acting career, as she continued to work as an activist with many of the same causes she supported as a social worker.

Throughout her career, she received numerous awards and nominations. She won the Special Jury Prize for dramatic acting at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival for her role in "Real Women Have Curves," which she shared with her co-star America Ferrera. 

Lupe Ontiveros was also honored with a Maverick Tribute Award at the Cinequest San Jose Film Festival in 2003 and received the LA Femme Filmmaker Award in 2012.

Lupe Ontiveros passed away on July 26, 2012, at the age of 69 in Whittier, California, due to liver cancer.