Constance Marie--Making
TV History
Se Habla English
By Linda Sivertsen
Constance Marie and the George Lopez show are
making television history every week, and Constance (who
plays George’s wife, Angie) is the last person
who ever would have imagined this life for herself. Unlike
George, who knew early on that he wanted to become a comedian,
the painfully shy girl who once failed drama class wasn’t
able to foresee much of a future for herself. It’s
no wonder this former Domino’s Pizza delivery girl
still pinches herself when she drives to the studio to film
this weekly top-rated ABC sitcom—the first ever hit
network sitcom to feature an all-Latino cast.
From its inception, the George Lopez show has had
all the makings of a hit, and will probably go down in the
annals of Hollywood for its stardust beginnings. To fill
you in on a little back story: One day movie star Sandra
Bullock realized that there weren’t any Hispanic shows
on TV, despite 12.5% of our population being Latino. As
the owner of a production company who is accustomed to developing
material, she sent a scout out to the comedy clubs in search
of talent. Upon discovering George Lopez, Sandra decided
to develop a show based on his act. After adding a few producing/writing
heavyweights to the mix, including Bruce Helford, a past
head writer for Roseanne, the show seemed destined
for at least initial success. But America isn’t always
kind to new shows, especially those of the non-white variety,
and no one could guarantee what would happen. Thankfully,
the glib writing and endearing cast were embraced by viewers
and received critical support, catapulting the show into
its now third season.
To hear George tell it (while encouraging viewers to tune
in): “…It’s the first time in the
history of television that a Chicano (an American of
Mexican descent) has had his own show. If you don’t
watch the show, America gets another unemployed Mexican.”
I see why so many people love this guy, this cast, and why
even the president of Warner Bros. cried when the show was
picked up for its third season. What’s not to root
for here?
George is especially lucky to share the soundstage with
the now-confident Constance Marie, and he is the first to
say so. This chick is a serious babe! The kind of rare person
who has everything going for her. The kind of
“Chica” you meet and immediately want to be
best friends with. She’s totally enthusiastic, magnetic,
glowing, funny as hell and has done the kind of inner work
that allows her to be brutally honest about herself—how
refreshing. She’s a complete doll, partially explaining
why she’s in such demand (amazingly also starring
on another history-making Latino show—a drama called
American Family—for PBS). I highly doubt
she needs another best friend, but I think I’ll take
her up on her offer for my family to see a taping of the
show, just in case.
Constance, when you look at your life, what do you consider
your top personal miracles?
Well, the fact that I am not in some horribly abusive relationship.
Both my mother and grandmother were single mothers, with
alcoholic ex-husbands. We have bad alcoholism in
my family. The result was that these women became incredibly
strong, but there was a lot of baggage lying around. I got
a tremendous amount of what I didn’t want in my life
early on—which showed me what I did want. Also, never
in a million years did I ever think I’d be
able to perform in front of people. I was so incredibly
shy—so consumed with fear when I had to speak in public.
Did you go to the theater as a child growing up
in Los Angeles?
No, I was a TV kid. After I started acting, I began thinking,
“God, what’s wrong with me? I haven’t
been to the theater.” I was dating a guy who
took me to A Chorus Line, and we were both judging
me for never having seen it. “Constance,” he
said with disbelief, “you’ve never seen this
show?” I was like: Hey Buddy, it’s $75 a ticket.
People don’t go to the theater when they’re
poor! It’s an expensive activity!” I love TV
because it reaches everybody. It can be such an uplifting
vehicle. It can also suck your brain out through your eyeballs.
Who did you identify with on television?
I was an English-speaking, third-generation Angelino who
didn’t know any of her distant relatives in Mexico.
I may have been labeled “a Mexican,” but I couldn’t
see myself in any TV characters. It was so frustrating because
nobody on TV ever looked like me, unless they were poor
immigrants, drug addicts/bad guys, or needed rescuing. We
didn’t have any money, but we didn’t live in
the barrio either. Mom made enough to pay rent in West Hollywood.
I loosely identified with a few women on TV—always
brunettes. Marlo Thomas from “That Girl” and
Linda Carter from “Wonder Woman” were my favorites.
When I read that Linda was half Mexican, I was like: “Oh
my God. She’s got a good job, a good car, no accent
and she’s a superhero!” She reminded me of my
mom—of family. Sure, she had blue eyes, but I didn’t
care. I needed someone. She made me feel like I
was part of the social fabric of America.
Everyone “made” me feel like I was supposed
to be from somewhere else, that I was supposed
to speak another language. I didn’t, so as a little
kid I felt like I didn’t really belong. People would
speak Spanish to me, and I would think, “It’s
not a gene! It’s not like you’re born with the
language inside your head. You have to have somebody to
speak to and practice with. You know, there are so many
stereotypes. Latin people are just normal people who are
not dancing around piñatas every day. Some of us
hardly speak Spanish because we’re from the United
States! Did everybody forget that California used to be
part of Mexico?
You started out as a break dancer. Did you know it would
lead to getting in the performing business?
No idea. I just knew that I loved it. It made me happy,
and was the one thing in my life that was mine. I was working
three jobs and never thought I’d go to college. At
seventeen, I used to go to the clubs by myself and compete.
Unbelievably, I got asked to dance in Japan in a troop that
was on TV—my chance to get out of the United States.
No one in my family had been out of the country. Over time,
that led to dancing with David Bowe’s tour, which
indirectly led to acting.
Speaking of miracles, I think I’ve always been protected.
It was dangerous learning how to dance in those underground
clubs every night. Mom thought I was out partying, but really,
it was more like dance class. It’s miraculous that
I’ve had so many opportunities that I could have said
no to because they were scary, but that I did them anyway.
Were you nervous, having to learn lines for two
series’?
I had worked on sitcoms and had been in films, but nothing
where I had the responsibility of two shows. It was terrifying.
I thought, “There is no way I’m going to be
able to get through this—I failed drama for Heaven’s
sake! But mostly that was fear. I was so busy that I had
to get over it. Who had time to be afraid? You
prepare as best as you can, and that carries you through,
even if you’re terrified. The more I worked, the easier
it got.
Do you have a five-year goal?
I want to have a family.
You would be a great mother!
Why do people say that?
Because you’re present and easily excited. Kids need
their moms to be present and happy.
Thank you. My fiancé and I babysit my five-year-old
goddaughter sometimes on weekends. At first I was afraid,
but we have so much fun. The biggest compliment I got from
her was just walking to the car when she said, “I
like this day.” If she could have more days she likes
than not, that’s it. That’s what I want from
my life.
I agree with the kid. After spending the afternoon with
Constance, I very much liked this day. I’m certain
that many years from now, women will come up to her and
say, “When I was young and had no one to relate to
on TV, you gave me hope.”
As they do now, people will thank Constance Marie for making
Television history.
The George Lopez show, Friday nights, 8:00 P.M.
on ABC
Linda Sivertsen—West Coast Feature Editor
linda@balancemagazine.com
© 2003 Balance Magazine
