Maria Pilar Canals-Barrera (née Canals; born September 28, 1966) is an American actress. She is known for starring as Theresa Russo in the Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place (2007–2012) and recurring in Wizards Beyond Waverly Place (2025-2026), Connie Torres in Camp Rock (2008), Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam (2010), Camp Rock 3 (2026), and Daniela in the ABC comedy series Cristela (2014–2015).
Canals-Barrera has voiced Shayera Hol/Hawkgirl in Justice League, Justice League Unlimited, and Static Shock as part of the DC Animated Universe, Sunset Boulevardez in The Proud Family (2001–2005) and The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (2022–2023), and Paulina in Danny Phantom (2004–2007).
Early life Canals-Barrera was born to Cuban parents of Catalan descent. Canals-Barrera also speaks Spanish and took drama classes in junior high school.
Canals-Barrera graduated from Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School before winning a theatrical scholarship to the University of Miami.
Career
In her early years, Canals-Barrera worked extensively in theater in both Miami and Los Angeles. In 1990, she starred as Amanda in a production of The Glass Menagerie. In 1992, she starred in a production of Brian Michael Riley's A Cradle of Sparrows. The same year, 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 the 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. In 1996, she starred as the title character in a production of Hedda Gabler. The next year she played Digna in a production of Guillermo Reyes' Chilean Holiday.
Her first regular role was on the short-lived NBC sitcom The Tony Danza Show in 1997. In early 2000s, Canals-Barrera had supporting roles in films America's Sweethearts, The Master of Disguise and Imagining Argentina. She has gained much recognition with comic book fans in recent years for her role as Hawkgirl/Shayera Hol on Bruce Timm's Justice League animated series (2001–04) and Justice League Unlimited (2005–06). She also had a recurring role in Static Shock as news reporter Shelly Sandoval, and in Danny Phantom as Paulina, the title character's high school crush. She also performed the voice of Mercedes "Meche" Colomar in the 1998 video game Grim Fandango. Canals-Barrera also played incidental characters in two episodes on the TV series The Boondocks ("Grandad's Fight" and "Home Alone").
From 2007 to 2012, Canals-Barrera co-starred as Theresa Russo, the mother of lead character Alex Russo (played by Selena Gomez), in the Disney Channel family sitcom Wizards of Waverly Place. She also co-starred in Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie, a 2009 Disney Channel Original film based on the series. Canals-Barrera also appeared in the Disney Channel Original Movies Camp Rock (2008) and Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam (2010) as Connie Torres, the mother of Demi Lovato's character. In 2011, she appeared opposite Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts in the romantic comedy film Larry Crowne.
In 2014, Canals-Barrera was cast as Hilda in the ABC soap opera Members Only, created by Susannah Grant. However, it was cancelled by the network before its premiere. Later in that year she joined the cast of ABC comedy series Cristela, as Daniela Gonzaler.
On August 27, 2018, Canals-Barrera was cast as the mother of Fernando Hernandez-Guerrero-Fernandez-Guerrero on the Netflix series Fuller House.
She returned to Disney Channel in 2025 and 2026, as she reprised her role of Theresa Russo in season one and three of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, and her role of Connie Torres in Camp Rock 3 in 2026.
Personal life Barrera has been married to fellow actor David Barrera since 1999, and they have two daughters, Bridget and Madeleine.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1993 Cop and a Half Mrs. Bobo #2 1995 My Family Young Irene 2001 America's Sweethearts Adinah 2002 The Master of Disguise Sophia2003 Imagining Argentina Esme Palomares Scooby-Doo! and the Monster of Mexico Sofia Otero Voice, direct-to-video 2011 Larry Crowne Lala Pinedo 2012 Batman: The Dark Knight Returns – Part 1 Ellen Yindel Voice, direct-to-video A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.2013 Batman: The Dark Knight Returns – Part 2 Night of the Hipsters Barbara Short film 2016 God's Not Dead 2 Catherine Thawley 2017 Teen Titans: The Judas Contract Bianca Reyes Voice, direct-to-video 2019 Sweet Inspirations Bonnie2022Strong Fathers, Strong DaughtersBella Flores2024 Dance Rivals Rachel Seven Cemeteries Bruja
Television Year Title Role Notes 199021 Jump Street Rosina Episode: "La Bizca" 1991 Super Force Lori Wechsler 2 episodes 1992–1993 Corte Tropical Adrianita 1992–1994Marielena Nancy Recurring role1993 Harlan & Merleen Carmen Television film Key West Fig Recurring role, 5 episodes1994 Viper Carla Episode: "Wheels of Fire" Murder, She WroteCarmen Episode: "Wheel of Death" 1995 Almost Perfect Episode: "You Like Me, You Really Like Me" 1996 Goode Behavior Denise Episode: "Goode Feelings" 1997–1998The Tony Danza Show Carmen Cruz Main role, 7 episodes1998 Caroline in the City Maria Episode: "Caroline and the Toothbrush" Veronica's Closet Dannie Episode: "Veronica's a Partner Now" 1999 Beggars and Choosers Yolanda Recurring role 2000–2003Static Shock Shelly Sandoval, Hawkgirl Voice, 14 episodes2000 Pepper Ann Señorita Vivas Voice, episode: "The Spanish Imposition" That's Life Episode: "Bad Hair Week" 2001 Popular Candy Box Episode: "Fire in the Hole" The Brothers García Ms. Azteca Episode: "Love Is Very... Confusing" 2001–2002 Clifford the Big Red Dog Teresa, Tonya Voice, 2 episodes 2001–2005 The Proud Family Sunset Boulevardez Voice, 19 episodes 2001–2004 Justice League Hawkgirl, Livewire Voice, main role 2002 American Family Christy Recurring role, 5 episodes 2003 Miss Match Store Manager Episode: "Santa, Baby" 2004 Curb Your Enthusiasm Dalilah the Hygienist 2 episodes 2004–2007Danny Phantom Paulina, additional voices Voice, 15 episodes 2005–2006 Justice League Unlimited Hawkgirl Voice, 11 episodes 2005 The Proud Family Movie Sunset Boulevardez, Newscaster Peanut Voice, television film 2005–2007 The Boondocks Spanish TV Reporter, Costa Rican Woman Voice, 2 episodes2006 George Lopez Claudia Episode: "A Funeral Brings George to His Niece" Handy Manny Peggy Salazar Voice, episode: "Supremoguy/Tool Talk" 2007 The Loop Agent Denise Episode: "Yeah, Presents" 2007–2012 Wizards of Waverly Place Theresa Russo Main role, 84 episodes 2008 Camp Rock Connie Torres Television film2009 Special Agent Oso Additional voices Episode: "Octo-Puzzle/One Suitcase Is Now Enough" Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie Theresa RussoTelevision film 2010 Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam Connie Torres 2011 Generator Rex Valentina Voice, episode: "Outpost" 2012 Pound Puppies Dr. Trudy Voice, 3 episodes 2013 The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex Theresa Russo Television special 2014 Baby Daddy Carol Beltran Episode: "Bonnie's Unreal Estate" Gang Related Marciela Acosta 2 episodes 2014–15 Cristela Daniela Main role, 22 episodes 2015 Members Only Hilda Main role; unaired television series2016 Ultimate Spider-Man Rio Morales Voice, 3 episodes A Bronx Life Angela Television film Last Man Standing Sheryl Episode: "Where There's Smoke, There's Ire"The Big Bang Theory Isabella Episode: "The Brain Bowl Incubation"2017 Vixen: The Movie Dr. Vargas Voice, television film Triangle Alice2018 The Wedding Do Over Irene Anderson Television film Knight Squad Saffron Episode: "Parent Teacher Knight" Young & Hungry Marisol Episode: "Young & Mexico, Part 1" Fuller House Nadia Episode: "Perfect Sons"2022 Madagascar: A Little Wild Pilar Voice, 4 episodes Kenan Loretta 2 episodes Side Hustle Roxie Rockhart Episode: "Return of Uncle Nedward" Lopez vs Lopez Lily Episode: "Lopez vs. Birthday" 2022–2023 The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder Sunset Boulevardez Voice, 4 episodes 2023 The Morning Show Mercedes 2 episodes 2024 Dora Abuela Voice 2025–2026 Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Theresa Russo Special guest star; 2 episodes 2026 Camp Rock 3 Connie Torres Television film
Video games Year Title Role Notes1998 Grim Fandango Mercedes 'Meche' Colomar Voice 2011 Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds She-Hulk 2011 Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 2015 Infinite Crisis Hawkgirl
Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Work Result Refs 1998 Ovation Award Outstanding Actress Changes of Heart 1998 ALMA Award Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series The Tony Danza Show 2002 ALMA Award Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Series The Brothers Garcia 2008 ALMA Award Outstanding Female Performance in a Comedy Television Series Wizards of Waverly Place 2008 Imagen Award Best Supporting Actress – Television Wizards of Waverly Place 2009 Imagen Award Best Supporting Actress/Television Wizards of Waverly Place 2009 ALMA Award Actress in Television – Comedy Wizards of Waverly Place 2010 Imagen Award Best Supporting Actress – Television Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie 2011 Imagen Award Best Supporting Actress – Television Wizards of Waverly Place 2011 ALMA Award Favorite TV Actress – Supporting Role Wizards of Waverly Place 2013 Behind the Voice Actors Awards Best Vocal Ensemble in a TV Special/Direct-to-DVD Title or Theatrical Short Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 (Shared with cast) 2014 Behind the Voice Actors Awards Best Vocal Ensemble in a TV Special/Direct-to-DVD Title or Theatrical Short Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 (Shared with cast) 2015 Imagen Award Best Supporting Actress – Television Cristela
References
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