Liza Colón-Zayas: A journey from stage to Emmy stardom
A long-awaited recognition
For Liza Colón-Zayas, the star of “The Bear,” the journey to an Emmy nomination has been a long and winding road. After decades of dedication to stage work, sporadic TV roles, and occasional movie appearances, she now finds herself nominated in the comedy supporting actress category. Sharing this honor with legends like Carol Burnett and Meryl Streep is a testament to her perseverance and talent.
Reflecting on the journey
I couldn’t help but wonder what it feels like for a hardworking actor like Colón-Zayas to be recognized alongside such iconic figures. To get a sense of her emotions, I reached out to her for a chat.
“It lets me know that I’ve run a good race,” Colón-Zayas shared, reflecting on her career that began in the 1990s. “All the struggle has been seen and acknowledged. It’s a lifetime of doubting my gift, and now the world says, ‘We see you.’ To be in the company of Carol Burnett, Meryl Streep, and Sheryl Lee Ralph is beyond my wildest dreams.”
A brush with greatness
While Colón-Zayas hasn’t had the chance to work closely with her fellow nominees, she has had some memorable encounters. She recently appeared on a SAG-AFTRA Foundation panel with nominees Janelle James and Hannah Einbinder. However, one standout moment was when Meryl Streep came backstage after one of her stage performances years ago.
“She told me I hit it out of the park!” Colón-Zayas recalls. As for Burnett, she says, “My natural instinct is ‘I’m not worthy.’ She’s the queen. Every Saturday night, I’d watch her. It’s a lifetime of memories.”
From Off-Broadway to the big screen
Colón-Zayas began her career Off-Broadway with the semi-autobiographical solo show “Sistah Supreme.” Her journey continued with steady work in film and TV, including three different roles on “Law & Order.” Despite these achievements, there were times when roles were scarce, and she questioned her future in acting.
“There were a lot of those moments,” she admits. “My whole lifetime has been about making it through the day or the month. I wish I could say I was 100% past that, but I don’t think I ever will be.”
Breakthrough with “The Bear”
The turning point came in 2019 with her first regular role on OWN’s “David Makes Man”, followed by a part in the 2021 revival of HBO’s “In Treatment”. However, her real breakthrough came with FX’s “The Bear”.
In Season 1, her character, Tina Marrero, is a sharp-tongued cook skeptical of the changes brought by Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) to their greasy spoon, The Beef. By Season 2, for which Colón-Zayas is nominated, Tina has embraced culinary school and adapted to Carmy’s vision of turning their shop into a fine-dining establishment.
Season 3 and beyond
Season 3 of “The Bear” provided even more depth to Tina’s character, including a stand-alone episode that delved into her backstory. As a bonus, Colón-Zayas’ real-life husband, David Zayas, played her TV spouse.
“I’m getting so much love from people of all walks of life,” she says. But it has been especially gratifying for her success to resonate with Latinas and people from the Bronx.
“For people who look like me, I cannot put into words what that means to me,” she says, her voice filled with emotion. “I feel like it is a responsibility moving forward to bring as much humanity as I can into the roles and the communities. I feel so moved and so proud that they can see themselves in me.”
A beacon of hope
Colón-Zayas’ journey is a beacon of hope for aspiring actors everywhere. Her story is a reminder that perseverance, talent, and authenticity can eventually lead to recognition and success. For those who have followed her career, her Emmy nomination is not just a personal triumph but a victory for all who have faced similar struggles.
For more on “The Bear,” check out the trailer.
This article is a celebration of Liza Colón-Zayas’ remarkable journey and a testament to the power of resilience in the world of acting. Her story is an inspiration to many, proving that dreams can come true with hard work and dedication.