Maria Canals-Barrera

Maria Canals-Barrera
Canals-Barrera in 2007
Born	Maria Pilar Canals (1966-09-28) September 28, 1966 (age 50) Miami, Florida, U.S.
Residence	Los Angeles, California
Other names	Maria Canals Barrera
Alma mater	University of Miami (Florida)
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1990–present
Spouse(s)	David Barrera (m. 1999–present)

Maria Pilar Canals-Barrera (née Canals, born September 28, 1966) is an American actress best known for her roles on television.

Canals-Barrera co-starred in a number of short-lived sitcoms, worked as a voice actress, and appeared in several films. She is best known for her role as Theresa Russo in the Disney Channel family sitcom, Wizards of Waverly Place (2007–2012). She played the role of Connie Torres in Camp Rock (2008) and Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam (2010) and co-starred as Lala Pinedo in Larry Crowne (2011). As a voice actress, she is known as Shayera Hol/Hawkgirl in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited. She also voiced Sunset Boulevardez in the Disney Channel show, The Proud Family.

In 2014, Canals-Barrera began starring as Daniela in the ABC comedy series, Cristela. She was set to co-star as Hilda in the ABC comedy-drama series Members Only; however, it got cancelled by ABC before its premiere.

Canals-Barrera was born and raised in Miami, Florida, to Cuban parents of Spanish (Catalan) descent. Canals-Barrera also speaks Spanish and took drama classes in junior high.

In early years, Canals-Barrera has worked extensively in theater in both Miami and Los Angeles. In 1992 she began starring on Telemundo Spanish-language telenovela Marielena. She later had the recurring role in the short-lived 1993 Fox comedy-drama series, Key West. During 1990s, Canals-Barrera also guest starred in a number of television series, such as 21 Jump Street, Murder, She Wrote, Almost Perfect, and Caroline in the City. Her first regular role was on the short-lived NBC sitcom, The Tony Danza Show in 1997.