Lana Parrilla, a Puerto Rican-American actress born in 1977, is best known for captivating audiences on television. While she appeared in films like “Very Mean Men” (2000) early in her career, it was her roles on shows like “Spin City” (2000-2001) and “24” (2005) that brought her initial recognition. Parrilla’s defining role came in 2011 when she landed the part of the Evil Queen/Regina Mills in ABC’s fantasy drama “Once Upon a Time.” She excelled at portraying the complex character, who evolved from villain to a more nuanced anti-hero throughout the series’ seven seasons (2011-2018). This performance earned her a 2012 ALMA Award for Outstanding TV Actress – Drama and solidified her place as a television favorite. Since “Once Upon a Time,” Parrilla has continued to choose captivating roles. In 2021, she appeared as Rita Castillo in the second season of “Why Women Kill,” showcasing her versatility. With her captivating screen presence and talent for portraying both villainous and sympathetic characters, Lana Parrilla remains a prominent figure in the television landscape.