cover story
part of Ignacio Suarez, father TOglyph1197Y PLAglyph1197A: “I’ve
to the good-natured yet fashion achieved so many of my
challenged Betty. Ugly Betty is goals, my first goal was just
an American comedy-drama to be able to make a living
series that is an adaptation of a and then eventually it was
Columbian telenovela Betty la about doing several films. It
Fea. The Latino-based show has been such an honor to be
has received the highest ratings in great films such as Officer
and some of the most critical and a Gentleman, Havana
acclaims of any show of it’s with Robert Redford and The
like in the history of television.
/ABC
Rookie with Clint Eastwood,
Ugly Betty has received numer- and other good movies with
ous award nominations and has Robert Julia, three movies
won several awards including with Oliver Stone and some
2 Golden Globe Awards and an
VID GIESBRECHT
movies with Steve Martin
Alma Award. For Ugly Betty,
©DA
and Jimmy Chase. I’ve had
Tony Plana has received a Golden where. I’m glad they thought that way, such an extended career and I’ve been
Satellite Award from the International I’m glad they sent me to a place that so blessed to have done such a variety
Press Academy in 2006 for Best Actor promoted a higher education.” of things, not just film or stereotypical
in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini- Hglyph1197M: Was there a time in your life things or limiting things. I’ve been able
Series or Motion Picture Made for where you didn’t know what you want- to do comedy and drama and I’ve been
Television, and an Imagen Foundation ed to do? How did you decide? involved in two landmark series for tel-
Award in 2008 for Best Supporting TOglyph1197Y PLAglyph1197A: “I was always at- evision, Resurrection Blvd which was
Actor in Television. tracted to theatre, but I never really the first Latino drama to succeed on
For Tony Plana, it has been a long knew what I was going to do, I never television in the history of TV and now
road of theatre, film and television to really considered it as a profession Ugly Betty which is the most success-
be where he is at now. Almost 30 years until half way through my college pro- ful Latino based TV show, the most
after having attended the Royal Acade- fession. I really kind of committed to it nominated, the most awarded and the
my of Dramatic Arts in London where and it was towards the end of my soph- first cross-over hit TV show that we
Plana received his professional train- omore year or junior year in college. I have including George Lopez.
ing, he still finds himself making a pro- was thinking about becoming a lawyer A lot of my goals are to continue
fession of what he enjoys doing, act- and I was studying English literature working as long as I’m healthy and can
ing. Recently, Tony Plana shared and philosophy and Spanish at the col- remember my lines; as well as to work
thoughts on his great career and his lege level thinking that I was going hard on education initiatives that I have
long journey as an actor with (Hglyph1197M). into law. And then half way through started in LA. To continue teaching
During the interview, Plana shared his college I decided that I didn’t want to acting in theatre as educational tools to
experiences that have made him be a lawyer, I just wanted to play one.” improve the learning of language;
become the strong, charismatic and Hglyph1197M: Who were your role models Especially with Latino kids, and Asian
humble person that he is. growing up and why? kids and Black kids and under-served
Hglyph1197M: What was your education TOglyph1197Y PLAglyph1197A: “It would have to kids to develop a strong communica-
like? be Anthony Quinn if I was going to tion so that they can speak, read and
TOglyph1197Y PLAglyph1197A: “My parents choose a performer and the late Ricar- write so that they may be accepted and
always raised me with the idea that I do Montalban as role models for me. ultimately become better citizens,
would go to college; it wasn’t even an They were some of the first Latinos more productive citizens.
option. I was a straight ‘A’ student and who were nominated for Academy And of course to continue to be a
very successful at school, I was the old- Awards and beat such great odds. They good husband to my wife and a good
est boy and I had to set the example and were all such iconic icons of artistry. father to my children to make sure that
they programmed me to think college. So I guess a part of me wanted to be they are healthy, successful and educat-
That was the culture, it was the family I like them, successful.” ed. Those are my main goals right now;
grew up in and it was the culture that I Hglyph1197M: “What are your goals and it is changing away from career to
was educated in, college wasn’t really what expectations do you have of your- community to serving the community.
an option, it was more of a question of self?”
Continued on page 50
48 Celebrating over 15 Years of Embracing Diversity WWW.HNMAGAZINE.COM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68