Biography
Colombian-born, Spanish Harlem-raised actress Paula Garcés graduated to film by virtue of her career as a soap star on
Guiding Light (where she played Pilar Santos). She then immediately fell into a Tinseltown niche by specializing in big-screen portrayals of fiery, doe-eyed Latinas with heightened allure and exoticism -- qualities that lent themselves equally to drama and farce. Early projects included supporting roles in the Michael J. Fox comedy
Life with Mikey (1993), the
Michelle Pfeiffer-starring inspirational drama
Dangerous Minds (1995), and the disastrous
Lisa Kudrow-
Damon Wayans hip-hop comedy
Marci X (2003). Garcés received much higher billing as Maria, the elusive "dream girl" of Harold, in the stoner comedy
Harold and Kumar go to White Castle (2004) and its sequel, Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (2008). The actress' resumé also includes guest appearances on such TV series as
Oz,
The Sopranos, and Law & Order: SVU, and a recurring role as Officer Tina Hanlon on
The Shield. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide