Olga Merediz

Olga Merediz (born February 15, 1956) is an American actress and singer. Merediz originated the role of Claudia in the Broadway musical In the Heights, for which she received a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. She played the role for the show's entire Broadway run, and reprised the role in the film adaptation. Her television credits include NBC's 2016 series Shades of Blue and Netflix's Orange Is the New Black.

Early life Merediz was born in Guantánamo, Cuba on February 15, 1956. Thereafter, she relocated with her family to Puerto Rico where she grew up. Olga attended and graduated from Commonwealth High School in San Juan where she performed and began developing her singing and acting skills in the high school theatrical plays. Hotel Armadillo, Jungle Animal Hospital, Nature's Miracle Orphans, and Cuba: The Accidental Eden. Her voice can be heard in numerous TV/radio commercials, Dora the Explorer, Go, Diego, Go!, Elena of Avalor, and Encanto.

Earlier in her career, she served as spokesperson for the MTA, New York City Transit Authority.

Awards and nominations At the 2008 Tony Awards, she received a nomination for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical for the Broadway incarnation of In the Heights. In addition to her Tony Award nomination, Merediz won a 2007 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Ensemble Performance for her role in the off-Broadway run of In the Heights, as well as a 2003 HOLA Tespis Award from the Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors.

In 2013, Latina magazine named her as one of the 50 Best Latin Singers and Pop Stars of All Time. According to the magazine, "The Cuban Broadway star knows how to dominate a live stage and owns it!"

Filmography +Key Denotes works that have not yet been released

Film Year Title Role Notes 1984 The Brother from Another Planet Noreen's Client 1988 The Milagro Beanfield War Milagro Townsperson 1990 Q&A Mrs. Valentin 1991 City of Hope Nidia The Super Female #2 1992 Boomerang Guard 1994 Angie Roz 1995 Drunks Chairwoman 1996 Evita Bianca Duarte Marvin's Room Beauty Shop Lady 1997 States of Control Purse-snatched Woman White Lies Woman #1 in Window 1999 Things I Forgot to Remember Carmela Music of the Heart Ms. Olivas 2000 Isn't She Great Mrs. Ramirez Center Stage ABA Receptionist Requiem for a Dream Malin & Block Secretary 2001 K-PAX Transit Officer 2002 Changing Lanes Mrs. Miller Apartment 5C Jenny 2004 Imaginary Heroes Maria Uncredited 2006 A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints Aunt Mary 2010 Remember Me Aidan's Professor 2011 Mr. Popper's Penguins Nanny Trouble in the Heights Gloria 2012 One for the Money Rosa Gomez The Place Beyond the Pines Malena Gutierrez 2014 The Angriest Man in Brooklyn Jane Top Five Chelsea's Mom Like Sunday, Like Rain Esa Fugly! Moms 2016 Custody Joyce Urge Esthetician America Adrift Sorida 2017 The Light of the Moon Mariana Humor Me Fortune Teller 2019 Fair Market Value Missy Goya 2020 Godmothered Beth 2021 In the Heights Abuela Claudia Encanto Abuela Alma Madrigal (singing voice) 2023 Somebody I Used to Know Joanne "Jojo" 2024 Spellbound General Cardona (voice) 2025 Eternity Karen

Television

Stage YearShowRoleNotes 1982 Lullabye and Goodnight Saint Off-Broadway 1984 The Human Comedy Mexican Woman Broadway 1987 Les Misérables Female Ensemble/Madame Thénardier Understudy Broadway (Replacement) 2001 Mamma Mia! Rosie Broadway (Replacement) 2002 Man of La Mancha The Housekeeper Broadway Revival 2004 Reckless Trish/Woman Patient Broadway 2008 In the Heights Abuela Claudia BroadwayNominated—Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical

Discography

Charted songs +List of charted songs, with year released, selected chart positions, and album name shown Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album US AUS CAN IRE NZHot UK WW "The Family Madrigal"(with Stephanie Beatriz and Encanto cast) 2021 20 40 31 18 7 7 20 RIAA: Gold ARIA: Gold BPI: Platinum Encanto"All of You"(with Stephanie Beatriz, John Leguizamo, Adassa, Maluma, and Encanto cast) 71 — 83 — — — 111 BPI: Silver "—" denotes songs which were not released in that country or did not chart.