Justina Machado | |
|---|---|
 Machado in 2016 | |
| Born | Justina Milagros Machado[1] (1972-09-06)September 6, 1972 (age 53) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1993–present |
Justina Milagros Machado (born September 6, 1972)[2] is an American actress. She began her career playing secondary roles on television and film before starring asVanessa Diaz in theHBO comedy-drama series,Six Feet Under (2001–05), for which she receivedScreen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. Machado later starred in the short-lived seriesMissing,Three Rivers andWelcome to the Family and was a regular cast member in the first season of theUSA Network crime dramaQueen of the South.[3]
From 2017 to 2020, Machado starred as Penelope Alvarez in theNetflix/Pop TV comedy series,One Day at a Time, for which she received positive reviews from critics and twoImagen Awards for Best Actress - Television, and well as nomination forCritics' Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series. She also has appeared in filmsFinal Destination 2 (2003),Torque (2004),Little Fugitive (2006),The Call (2013),The Purge: Anarchy (2014),All Together Now (2020) andThe Throwback (2024). In 2023, she played the leading role in theAmazon Prime Video black comedy-horror series,The Horror of Dolores Roach. In 2025 Machado appeared in theBroadway MusicalReal Women Have Curves for which she received critical acclaim and was nominated for theTony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.
Machado was born inChicago,Illinois, one of two children of Alicia Morales Ruiz and Ismael Machado.[1] Her mother was born inPuerto Rico and her father was born toPuerto Rican parents. They subsequently divorced and her mother remarried and had three children. Her family roots are inBarceloneta, Puerto Rico, andBarrio Jagual,Patillas, Puerto Rico, and her ancestry includesAfro-Latino.[1] As Machado is of Hispanic descent, she had a traditionalquinceañera, with chambelanes as well as damas.[4] She said her family was poor, and she grew up in theNorthwest Side of Chicago.[5] Machado was raised Catholic.[6]
Machado was very active in drama, always participating in her school plays. She also took dance at Franklin Fine Arts Center.[5] In 1986, Machado attendedLane Technical College Prep High School.[2] During her spare time, she performed with the Latino Chicago Theater Company.
Machado was a guest appearing in Episode 6 of Season 6 ofFinding Your Roots, a documentary show byPBS that is hosted byDr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., during which it was confirmed that she has Africanmatrilineal ancestry (i.e. through a female ancestor on her mother's side[7]) through genetic testing of hermitochondrial DNA.[8]
In 1990, after graduating fromLane Tech, Machado moved to New York City. The experience she had gained as a performer with the Latino Chicago Theater Company helped open the doors for her in that city. Soon, she was offered a job as a professional actress inLos Angeles. After relocating, she landed her first two acting roles in 1996. She was cast as Elsa in the ABC seriesNYPD Blue appearing in the episode "Burnin' Love", and co-starring in the made-for-television drama filmNo One Would Tell.[2] In 1997, she made her big screen debut playing supporting role of Carmen Rodriguez in the romantic drama filmShe's So Lovely. Machado also guest-starred onArsenio,Any Day Now,Touched by an Angel,Early Edition,Angel and had a recurring role on the short-lived UPN sitcomGoode Behavior.
In 2001, Machado played the leading role in the action comedy filmSticks and a minor part inSteven Spielberg's science fiction filmA.I. Artificial Intelligence. Later that year, she was cast in the HBO comedy-drama series,Six Feet Under. She playedVanessa Diaz, originally a supporting character, later evolving into one of the series' main characters. Machado and her cast mates were honored with aScreen Actors Guild Award. The series completed its final season in 2005.[3] In 2003, she played Isabella Hudson in the supernatural horror film,Final Destination 2, and the following year appeared in the action comedyTorque. In 2003, Machado appeared in the music video forTLC's song "Damaged", the third single from their fourth studio album3D, as a young woman trapped in an abusive relationship and unsure of what to do with her life.[2] From 2003 to 2004, Machado also starred in the Canadian crime drama series,1-800-Missing playing FBI agent Sunny Estrada during the show first season. In 2006, she starred in the drama filmLittle Fugitive, a remake of the1953 film of the same name. Machado has also made appearances on stage, including a 2008 production ofNeil LaBute's play,Some Girl(s), at theGeffen Playhouse in Los Angeles.[9] She was in productions ofBlade to the Heat andBlack Butterfly at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. She was the first replacement forAndréa Burns inBroadway'sIn the Heights.[10] In 2010, Machado appeared in the Los Angeles run ofLove, Loss and What I Wore.[11]
Machado appeared inGrey's Anatomy,Ugly Betty,Bones,Body of Proof andDesperate Housewives. She had a recurring role as Chicago police officer Claudia Diaz in the NBC medical dramaER in 2009.[2] From 2009 to 2010, she starred in the short-lived CBS medical drama series,Three Rivers. She later had recurring roles onPrivate Practice,The Fosters, andDevious Maids. In 2013, she starred alongsideRicardo Antonio Chavira in the short-lived NBC sitcom,Welcome to the Family. She also appeared in filmsThe Call (2013),The Purge: Anarchy (2014), andEndgame.
In 2016, Machado starred as Brenda Parra during the first season ofUSA Network crime drama series,Queen of the South.[12] She later guest-starred on the show' fourth season. Later that year, she joined the cast of The CW comedy seriesJane the Virgin, playing the role of Darci Factor.[13] In 2017, she was cast as a lead character in the Netflix comedy series,One Day at a Time based on the1975 series of the same title.[4][14] Machado has received positive reviews for her role as a single mother raising two children and struggling withPTSD after serving inAfghanistan.[15][16] For her performance, she received twoImagen Awards for Best Actress - Television, and well as nomination forCritics' Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series.[17] Despite positive critical reception, Machado has not received aPrimetime Emmy Award nomination.[18] The series ended in 2020 after four seasons.
In 2019, Machado played the leading role in the Lifetime television drama filmFamily Pictures.[19] From 2019 to 2020, she had a recurring role on the NBC comedy series,Superstore playing new district manager Maya, with whom Amy Sosa shares a surprising connection.[20] After having been announced to portrayFlorence Johnston in the firstLive in Front of a Studio Audience'sThe Jeffersons portion, instead reprised byMarla Gibbs,[21] Machado was cast in the second edition in December 2019 as Teresa Betancourt fromAll in the Family.[22] On September 2, 2020, Machado was announced as one of the celebrities competing on the29th season ofDancing with the Stars, partnered with professional dancerSasha Farber.[23] Machado finished in fourth place on November 23, 2020. In 2021, Machado was a singing bust inMuppets Haunted Mansion.
In 2020, Machado starred in the drama filmAll Together Now, which was released on Netflix. Also in 2020, Jacob Vargas and Machado were Masters of Ceremonies at theNational Hispanic Media Coalition Impact Awards.[24] In 2021, she starred in the Lifetime television drama film,Switched Before Birth directed byElisabeth Röhm.[25] She starred alongsideWill Sasso in the comedy film,The Throwback.[26]
In 2023, Machado starred as Dolores Roach in theAmazon Prime Video black comedy-horror series,The Horror of Dolores Roach.[27] The series received generally positive reviews, with Machado's performance being widely praised.[28] In 2024 she was cast in the Netflix medical drama series,Pulse as Dr. Natalie Cruz.[29][30]
In 2025, Machado originated the role of Carmen Garcia in the Broadway musical production ofReal Women Have Curves. She received a nomination for theTony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.[31]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | She's So Lovely | Carmen Rodriguez | |
| 1998 | The Week That Girl Died | Marita | |
| 1999 | Swallows | America | |
| 2000 | Following Paula | Paula Ormida | Short film |
| 2001 | Sticks | Maria | |
| A.I. Artificial Intelligence | Assistant | ||
| 2002 | Dragonfly | Oncology Desk Nurse | |
| Full Frontal | Linda's Friend in Kitchen | ||
| 2003 | Final Destination 2 | Isabella Hudson | |
| 2004 | Torque | FBI Agent Tehya Henderson | |
| 2006 | Little Fugitive | Natalia | |
| 2007 | I Think I Love My Wife | Paramedic | |
| 2008 | The Accidental Husband | Sofia | |
| Breast Pump & Blender | Lizzie | Short film | |
| Man Maid | Terressa | ||
| Pedro | Mily | ||
| 2009 | In the Electric Mist | Rosie Gomez | |
| 2012 | A Thousand Words | Caroline’s Friend | |
| 2013 | The Call | Rachel | |
| 2014 | Endgame | Karla | |
| The Purge: Anarchy | Tanya | ||
| 2020 | Scoob! | Jamie Rivera | Voice |
| All Together Now | Becky | ||
| 2021 | Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It | Herself | Documentary |
| With/In: Volume 1 | Segment: "Coco and Gigi" | ||
| 2022 | The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild | Zee | Voice |
| 2023 | The Throwback | Kate |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | ABC Afterschool Special | Episode: "Love Hurts" | |
| Missing Persons | Juanita Gonzales | Episode: "That's My Sister, Pal" | |
| 1996 | NYPD Blue | Donna Mendoza | Episode: "Burnin' Love" |
| Second Noah | Roxanna | Episode: "Second Noah" | |
| No One Would Tell | Val Cho | Television film | |
| 1997 | ER | Ms. Cruz | Episode: "Ambush" |
| Moloney | Episode: "I'm Ambivalent About L.A." | ||
| Crisis Center | Raquel | Episode: "He Said, She Said" | |
| Arsenio | Anna Montez | Episode: "We Can Still Be Friends" | |
| Goode Behavior | Raquel DeLarosa | Recurring role (5 episodes) | |
| 1998 | The Gregory Hines Show | Maria | Episode: "James Stevenson Stands Alone" |
| Any Day Now | Olivia | Episode: "It's Who You Sleep With" | |
| Touched by an Angel | Marisol | Episode: "An Angel on the Roof" | |
| Malcolm & Eddie | Laura Morales | Episodes: "Love Thy Neighbor", "The Fool Monty" | |
| 1999 | Promised Land | Roxie Kahle | Episode: "Darkness Visible" |
| Early Edition | Laura | Episode: "Camera Shy" | |
| 1999–2000 | Oh Baby | Mona | Episodes: "Guilt", "Friendship", "Cinderella" |
| 2000 | Angel | Jo | Episode: "Judgment" |
| 2001–2005 | Six Feet Under | Vanessa Diaz | Regular role (42 episodes) Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (2004) Nominated —Imagen Award for Best Supporting Actress - Television (2005-2006) Nominated —ALMA Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Series (2006) Nominated —Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (2005-2006) |
| 2002 | The Johnny Chronicles | Marisol | TV pilot |
| Strong Medicine | Episode: "Type & Cross" | ||
| 2003–2004 | Missing | Sunny Estrada | Main role (17 episodes) |
| 2006 | Ghost Whisperer | Suzanne | Episode: "Demon Child" |
| Fatal Contact: Bird Flu in America | Alma Ansen | Television film | |
| Grey's Anatomy | Anna Nyles | Episode: "Oh, the Guilt" | |
| 2007 | Cold Case | Amelia Lopez | Episode: "The Good Death" |
| Ugly Betty | Cousin Clara | Episodes: "A Tree Grows in Guadalajara", "Family/Affair" | |
| 2008 | Man of Your Dreams | Sheryl | TV pilot |
| Kath & Kim | Angel | Episodes: "Old", "Money" | |
| 2009 | ER | Claudia Diaz | Recurring role (8 episodes) Nominated —ALMA Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series (2009) |
| 2009–2010 | Three Rivers | Pam Acosta | Main role (13 episodes) |
| 2010 | Burn Notice | Lauren | Episode: "Neighborhood Watch" |
| Bones | Lupe Rojas | Episode: "The Couple in the Cave" | |
| 2011 | Off the Map | Teresa | Episode: "Hold on Tight" |
| The Protector | Marisol Casas | Episode: "Blood" | |
| Body of Proof | Emily Burrows | Episode: "Lazarus Man" | |
| Harry's Law | Counsel | Episode: "American Girl" | |
| 2012 | Desperate Housewives | Claudia Sanchez | Episodes: "Who Can Say What's True?", "What's the Good of Being Good" |
| Switched at Birth | Nurse Britzia Munoz | Episodes: "Starry Night", "The Art of Painting" | |
| 2012–2013 | Private Practice | Stephanie Kemp | Recurring role (6 episodes) |
| 2013 | The Fosters | Sonia Rivera | Episodes: "Saturday", "The Fallout", "I Do" |
| Welcome to the Family | Lisette Hernandez | Episodes: "1.1", "1.2" | |
| Murder Police | Rosa Sanchez (voice) | 13 episodes | |
| 2014 | Major Crimes | Ana Ruiz | Episode 13, Season 3: "Acting Out" |
| 2014 | Finders Keepers | Prof. Elena Carranza | Television film |
| 2015 | Devious Maids | Reina | Episodes: "She Done Him Wrong", "The Turning Point" |
| 2016 | Heartbeat | Beth / Emily | Episode: "Twins" |
| 2016–2019 | Jane the Virgin | Darci Factor | Recurring role, 19 episodes |
| 2016, 2019 | Queen of the South | Brenda | Main role (Season 1); 13 episodes Guest role (Season 4); 2 episodes |
| 2016–2020 | Elena of Avalor | Carmen (voice) | Recurring role; 9 episodes |
| 2017–2020 | One Day at a Time | Penelope Alvarez | Main role; 45 episodes + animated special; also producer (season 4) Imagen Award for Best Actress - Television (2017-2018) Imagen Award for Best Voice-Over Actor - Television (2019) Nominated -Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series (2019) Nominated -Online Film & Television Association Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series (2017) Nominated -Imagen Award for Best Actress - Television (2019-2020) |
| 2019 | Family Pictures | Sylvie | Television film Nominated -Imagen Award for Best Actress - Television |
| Superstore | Maya | 4 episodes: "Trick-or-Treat", "Shoplifter Rehab", "Negotiation", “Zephra Cares” | |
| 2020 | Dancing with the Stars | Herself | Contestant onseason 29 |
| Harley Quinn | Bethany (voice) | Episode:"A Fight Worth Fighting For" | |
| 2021 | Muppets Haunted Mansion | Singing Bust | TV special |
| Switched Before Birth | Anna Ramirez | Television film Nominated -Imagen Award for Best Actress - Drama (Television) | |
| 2021–2023 | DreamWorks Dragons: The Nine Realms | Carla Gonzalez (voice) | 10 episodes |
| 2023 | Lopez vs Lopez | Beatrice "Bunny" Perez | Episode: "Lopez vs Cheating" |
| Law & Order | Defense Attorney Lauren Whitmer | Episode: "Class Retreat" | |
| The Horror of Dolores Roach | Dolores Roach | Lead role, 8 episodes | |
| 2025 | Happy's Place | Maritza | season 1 episode 13 "Mama Drama" |
| Pulse | Natalie Cruz | Series regular | |
| Matlock | Eva Muñoz | season 2 episode 3 "Tomorrow is still Tomorrow" |
| Year | Title | Role | Playwright | Venue | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Real Women Have Curves | Ana | Josefina Lopez | Victory Gardens Theater, Chicago | [32] |
| 2005 | The Mambo Kings | Anna Maria | Various | Golden Gate Theatre, San Francisco | [33] |
| 2009 | In the Heights | Daniela | Lin-Manuel Miranda Quiara Alegría Hudes | Richard Rodgers Theatre, Broadway | [34] |
| 2010 | A Free Man of Color | Doña Smeralda / Josephine | John Guare | Vivian Beaumont Theater, Broadway | [35] |
| 2023 | Real Women Have Curves | Carmen Garcia | Various | American Repertory Theater, Cambridge | [36] |
| 2025 | James Earl Jones Theatre, Broadway | [37] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Gears of War 4 | Reyna Diaz | |
| 2019 | Gears 5 |
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