Miriam Colón died recently at the age of 80. She was a great actress who had a long and distinguished career on the stage, screen and television.
She arrived in New York City, from Puerto Rico in the 1950’s as teenager. Elia Kazan accepted her into The Actors Studio and she appeared on Broadway soon after.
Such are the vicissitudes of show business that her greatest recognition came for playing Al Pacino’s mother in the 1983 movie Scarface.
She officially founded the renowned Puerto Rican Traveling Theater in 1967, though its roots go back to the 1950’s. Tonight, her passing was noted there.
President Obama awarded her the National Medal of Arts in 2014.
One wintery night 10 years ago, I was walking down 52nd Street between 8th and 9th Avenues. Near the Post Office I saw a bundled up, older woman at the mailbox holding a large pile of yellow envelopes. I got a closer look at her.
“Miriam Colón!”
“Good evening!”
“Nice to see you! You’re sending out headshots and resumes?!”
She laughed. “Are you an actor?”
“I try. I’m in a little play now.”
“That’s great. Good luck!”
“Thanks. Very nice to see you.”
She continued mailing her envelopes and I went home.
Originally published on Theaterscene.net on March 6, 2017.