Maria Canals-Barrera

Maria Pilar Canals-Barrera (née Canals; born September 28, 1966) is an American actress. She is known for starring as Theresa Russo in the Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place (2007–2012) and recurring in Wizards Beyond Waverly Place (2025-2026), Connie Torres in Camp Rock, Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam (2010), Camp Rock 3 (2026) and Daniela in the ABC comedy series Cristela (2014–2015).

Canals-Barrera has voiced Shayera Hol/Hawkgirl in Justice League, Justice League Unlimited and Static Shock as part of the DC Animated Universe, Sunset Boulevardez in The Proud Family (2001–2005) and The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (2022–2023), and Paulina in Danny Phantom (2004–2007).

Early life Canals-Barrera was born to Cuban parents of Catalan descent. Canals-Barrera also speaks Spanish and took drama classes in junior high school.

Canals-Barrera graduated from Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School before winning a theatrical scholarship to the University of Miami.

Career

In her early years, Canals-Barrera worked extensively in theater in both Miami and Los Angeles. In 1990, she starred as Amanda in a production of The Glass Menagerie. In 1992, she starred in a production of Brian Michael Riley's A Cradle of Sparrows. The same year, she began starring on Telemundo Spanish-language telenovela Marielena. The next year she played Digna in a production of Guillermo Reyes' Chilean Holiday.

Her first regular role was on the short-lived NBC sitcom The Tony Danza Show in 1997. However, it was cancelled by the network before its premiere. Later in that year she joined the cast of ABC comedy series Cristela, as Daniela Gonzaler.

On August 27, 2018, Canals-Barrera was cast as the mother of Fernando Hernandez-Guerrero-Fernandez-Guerrero on the Netflix series Fuller House.

She returned to Disney Channel in 2025 and 2026, as she reprised her role of Theresa Russo in season one and three of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, and her role of Connie Torres in Camp Rock 3 in 2026.

Personal life Barrera has been married to fellow actor David Barrera since 1999, and they have two daughters, Bridget and Madeleine.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1993 Cop and a Half Mrs. Bobo #2 1995 My Family Young Irene 2001 America's Sweethearts Adinah 2002 The Master of Disguise Sophia2003 Imagining Argentina Esme Palomares Scooby-Doo! and the Monster of Mexico Sofia Otero Voice, direct-to-video 2011 Larry Crowne Lala Pinedo 2012 Batman: The Dark Knight Returns – Part 1 Ellen Yindel Voice, direct-to-video 2013 Batman: The Dark Knight Returns – Part 2 Night of the Hipsters Barbara Short film 2016 God's Not Dead 2 Catherine Thawley 2017 Teen Titans: The Judas Contract Bianca Reyes 2015 Members Only Hilda Main role; unaired television series2016 Ultimate Spider-Man Rio Morales Voice, 3 episodes 2023 The Morning Show Mercedes 2 episodes 2024 Dora Abuela Voice 2025–2026 Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Theresa Russo Special guest star; 2 episodes 2026 Camp Rock 3 Connie Torres Television film

Video games Year Title Role Notes1998 Grim Fandango Mercedes 'Meche' Colomar Voice 2011 Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds She-Hulk 2011 Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 2015 Infinite Crisis Hawkgirl

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Refs 1998 Ovation Award Outstanding Actress Changes of Heart 1998 ALMA Award Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series The Tony Danza Show 2002 ALMA Award Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Series The Brothers Garcia 2008 ALMA Award Outstanding Female Performance in a Comedy Television Series Wizards of Waverly Place 2008 Imagen Award Best Supporting Actress – Television Wizards of Waverly Place 2009 Imagen Award Best Supporting Actress/Television Wizards of Waverly Place 2009 ALMA Award Actress in Television – Comedy Wizards of Waverly Place 2010 Imagen Award Best Supporting Actress – Television Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie 2011 Imagen Award Best Supporting Actress – Television Wizards of Waverly Place 2011 ALMA Award Favorite TV Actress – Supporting Role Wizards of Waverly Place 2013 Behind the Voice Actors Awards Best Vocal Ensemble in a TV Special/Direct-to-DVD Title or Theatrical Short Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 (Shared with cast) 2014 Behind the Voice Actors Awards Best Vocal Ensemble in a TV Special/Direct-to-DVD Title or Theatrical Short Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 (Shared with cast) 2015 Imagen Award Best Supporting Actress – Television Cristela