Maria Canals-Barrera

Maria Canals-Barrera Headshot

Actress • Voice Actor

Birth Date: September 28, 1966

Age: 57 years old

Birth Place: Miami, Florida

Latina actress Maria Canals-Barrera is best known as matriarch Theresa Russo on the wildly popular Disney Channel series "Wizards of Waverly Place." Long before Canals-Barrera became involved with that production, however, she was a working actor, first appearing on an episode of the undercover-cop show "21 Jump Street" in 1990. Numerous TV roles followed, including a stint on the short-lived comedy series "Key West," set in her real-life home state of Florida, along with guest spots on various sitcoms, including "Caroline in the City" and "Veronica's Closet." In 1997, she joined the cast of "The Tony Danza Show," appearing in all of the series episodes before its cancellation. In addition to being featured on a run of the Latino-themed show "American Family," starring Edward James Olmos, Canals-Barrera began working extensively as a voice actor, portraying characters on the animated superhero programs "Static Shock" and "Justice League," among others. She signed on as Theresa on "Wizards of Waverly Place," and the show eventually garnered a huge following, even leading to a 2009 TV movie where she reprised her role. Well-established as a Disney Channel regular, Canals-Barrera also appeared in the hit TV movie "Camp Rock" as the mother of Demi Lovato's character, and returned for the sequel, "Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam." She is married to actor David Barrera, and the couple has two children together.

Credits

Dora: Say Hola to Adventure!

Voice
Abuela
Show
2023

Identity Crisis

Actor
Professor Dr. Angela Harris
Show
2023

Identity Crisis

Actor
Professor Dr. Angela Harris
Movie
2023

Lopez vs LopezStream

Guest Star
Lily
Series
2022

The Proud Family: Louder and ProuderStream

Voice
Sunset Boulevardez
Series
2022
100%

Strong Fathers, Strong DaughtersStream

Actor
Bella
Movie
2022

#FBF

Actor
Movie
2022

KenanStream

Guest Star
Loretta
Series
2021

Sweet Inspirations

Actor
Bonnie
Movie
2019

The Wedding Do Over

Actor
Irene Anderson
Movie
2018

God's Not Dead 2

Actor
Catherine Thawley
Movie
2016

CristelaStream

Actor
Daniela
Series
2014
53%

Young & HungryStream

Guest Star
Series
2014

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns

Voice
Ellen Yindel
Movie
2013

The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex

Actor
Theresa Russo
Movie
2013

Sofia the FirstStream

Guest Voice
Mare of the Mist
Series
2012

Last Man StandingStream

Guest Star
Sheryl
Series
2011

Larry CrowneStream

Actor
Lala
Movie
2011
37%

Access Hollywood Live

Guest
Show
2010

Hollywood Uncensored

Guest
Show
2010

Everyday Heroes

Guest
Show
2010

Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam

Actor
Connie Torres
Movie
2010

Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie

Actor
Theresa Russo
Movie
2009

Camp RockStream

Actor
Connie Torres
Movie
2008
50%

Wizards of Waverly PlaceStream

Actor
Theresa Russo
Series
2007

The Big Bang TheoryStream

Guest Star
Issabella
Series
2007
81%

The Better Show

Guest
Show
2007

Handy Manny

Guest Voice
Peggy Salazar
Show
2006

The Loop

Guest Star
Show
2006

Justice League: Voices of Justice

Actor
Show
2005

The Proud Family

Voice
Sunset Boulevardez
Movie
2005

LatiNation

Guest
Show
2004

Scooby-Doo et le monstre du Mexique

Voice
Sofia Otero
Movie
2003

Imagining Argentina

Actor
Esme Palomares
Movie
2003

George LopezStream

Guest Star
Series
2002

American Family

Guest Star
Christy
Show
2002

The Master of Disguise

Actor
Sophia
Movie
2002

The Proud FamilyStream

Guest Voice
Sunset Boulevardez
Series
2001

Curb Your EnthusiasmStream

Guest Star
Dalilah the Hygienist
Series
2000
92%

That's Life

Guest Star
Show
2000

Veronica's Closet

Guest Star
Series
1997

The Tony Danza Show

Actor
Show
1997

Goode Behavior

Guest Star
Show
1996

Caroline in the CityStream

Guest Star
Series
1995

Almost Perfect

Guest Star
Show
1995

My Family/Mi Familia

Actor
Movie
1995

Murder, She WroteStream

Guest Star
Carmen
Series
1984

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