Zulay Henao (born March 22, 1979) is a Colombian-American film and television actress.[1] Since first appearing in the 2005 independent production Film 101, she has appeared in numerous films and single episodes of television series, as well as appearing as a series regular in Love Thy Neighbor (2013), If Loving You Is Wrong (2014–2020), and a recurring role in The Oath (2019).
Zulay Henao | |
|---|---|
 Henao at the 2013 Alma Awards | |
| Born | March 22, 1979 Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia |
| Nationality | Colombian, American |
| Education | New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, model |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Partner | Kevin Connolly (2019–present) |
| Children | 1 |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1997–2000 |
Early life
editHenao was born in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia.[2][3] She and her family emigrated to New Jersey.[1] After high school she served three years with the U.S. Army.[4][5] After the service, Henao enrolled at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts to study acting.[1][3]
Career
editHenao appeared in two small films, and in 2007 made her television debut in an episode of Lifetime drama series, Army Wives. In the same year she also guest-starred on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Also in 2007, Henao had supporting roles in films Illegal Tender and Feel the Noise. In 2008 she starred in the horror film Grizzly Park, and appeared opposite Charles S. Dutton in a Lifetime Original Movie Racing for Time.
In 2009, Henao had the female lead role in the sports film Fighting alongside Channing Tatum, and also appeared in the science fiction film S. Darko. In 2011 she starred in the independent psychological-thriller film, Boy Wonder.[6] Henao also has appeared in Takers (2010) and Hostel: Part III (2011).
In 2013, Henao began starring as regular on the Oprah Winfrey Network sitcom, Love Thy Neighbor.[2] She left the show after a single season.[7] Henao starred opposite Nia Long, Wendi McLendon-Covey, and Amy Smart in the 2014 film The Single Moms Club, directed by Tyler Perry.[8][9] She later was cast in same role of television adaptation of film, called If Loving You Is Wrong.[10][11] Also in 2014, Henao was cast as adult film legend Vanessa del Rio, in an untitled biopic directed by Thomas Mignone.[12][13] She later left the project and was replaced by Vivian Lamolli.[14] In 2019, she had a recurring roles in The Oath and Stumptown.
Personal life
editHenao is in a relationship with Kevin Connolly. The couple are parents to daughter Kennedy Cruz, born in June 2021.[15]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Film 101 | Unknown Role | |
| Clearview | Gloria Rojas | ||
| 2007 | Illegal Tender | Mora | |
| Feel the Noise | Carol "CC" Reyes | ||
| Saturday Morning | Unknown Role | ||
| 2008 | The Heart Is a Hidden Camera | Natasha | Short film |
| Grizzly Park | Lola | ||
| 2009 | Fighting | Zulay Velez | |
| S. Darko | Baelyn | Direct-to-video | |
| The Magnificent Cooly-T | Angie | ||
| 2010 | Takers | Monica Hatcher | |
| 2011 | Boy Wonder | Teresa Ames | |
| Havana Heat | Agent Brianna Evans | ||
| Hostel: Part III | Nikki | ||
| 2014 | White Space | Lynn Navarro | |
| The Single Moms Club | Esperanza | ||
| 2015 | Destined | Giselle Porter | |
| 2016 | True Memoirs of an International Assassin | Rosa Bolivar | |
| Meet the Blacks | Lorena Black | ||
| 2017 | Grow House | Madison | |
| 2018 | Beyond White Space | Lynn Navarro | |
| 2019 | Grand Isle | Detective Newton | |
| 2021 | The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2 | Lorena |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Army Wives | Delores Marino | Episode: "Only the Lonely" |
| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Forensics Tech Casanueva | Episode: "Svengali" | |
| 2008 | Fear Itself | Christie | Episode: "New Year's Day" |
| Racing for Time | Carmen | TV movie | |
| 2009 | The Unusuals | Rosa Trumble | Episode: "Crime Slut" |
| 2013 | Love Thy Neighbor | Marianna Perez | Series regular, 26 episodes |
| 2014–2020 | If Loving You Is Wrong | Esperanza | Series regular |
| 2017 | MacGyver | Cynthia | Episode: "Large Blade" |
| 2018 | Kevin Can Wait | Rebecca Romero | Episode: "Kevin Can Date" |
| 2019 | The Oath | Carmen Velasquez | Recurring role, 8 episodes |
| Star | Lucia | Episodes: "Watch the Throne" and "The Reckoning" | |
| Stumptown | Denise | Episodes: "Missed Connections" and "Family Ties" |
References
edit- ^ a b c "Maxim Monday: Zulay Henao Is 'Fighting' Her Way Into Our Hearts". FOXNews.com. April 7, 2010. Retrieved August 15, 2010.
- ^ a b "Love Thy Neighbor: Zulay Henao". Oprah.com. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
- ^ a b Bohrer, John R. (April 16, 2009). "Zulay Henao Pictures - Sexy Pics of Zulay Henao". Esquire. Retrieved August 15, 2010.
- ^ "Elite Interviews Zulay Henao". elitedaily.com. Archived from the original on October 19, 2014. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
- ^ Tomilowitz, Samantha (February 3, 2014). "Another Day with Zulay Henao". zooeymagazine.com. Archived from the original on February 16, 2016. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Boy Wonder". Rotten Tomatoes. October 21, 2011. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
- ^ Zulay Henao [@Zulay_Henao] (January 8, 2014). "#LoveThyNeighbor fans! Sadly because of scheduling conflicts I couldn't join my amazing cast this season:( But I will be watching! #Family 💛" (Tweet). Retrieved October 15, 2014 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Watch First Trailer For Tyler Perry's 'Single Moms Club'(Nia Long, Terry Crews, Eddie Cibrian & Others)". Shadow and Act. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
- ^ wilsonmorales (November 19, 2012). "Zulay Henao grabs 2nd female lead role in Tyler Perry's Single Mom's Club". Blackfilm.com. Archived from the original on January 11, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 1, 1970). "OWN Sets Cast For New Tyler Perry Drama Series 'If Loving You Is Wrong'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
- ^ "OWN Announces Cast for New Drama Series 'If Loving You is Wrong' From Tyler Perry". Shadow and Act. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
- ^ Borys Kit (July 29, 2014). "'Single Moms Club' Actress to Star in Vanessa del Rio Biopic (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
- ^ Tambay A. Obenson (July 30, 2014). "Vanessa del Rio Biopic Casts Zulay Henao to Star + Datari". Shadow and Act. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
- ^ McNary, Dave (May 31, 2019). "Film News Roundup: Jesse Metcalfe Joins Indie Biopic 'Latin From Manhattan'".
- ^ Slater, Georgia; VanHoose, Benjamin (June 9, 2021). "Entourage's Kevin Connolly, Zulay Henao Welcome 'Sweet' Baby Girl After 'Long and Painful' Birth". People. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
External links
edit- Zulay Henao at IMDb
- Zulay Henao on Twitter
