Zulay Henao | |
---|---|
![]() Henao at the 2013 Alma Awards | |
Born | Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia | March 22, 1979
Nationality | Colombian, American |
Education | New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts |
Occupation(s) | Actress, model |
Years active | 2005–present |
Partner | Kevin Connolly (2019–present) |
Children | 1 |
Military career | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch | United States Army |
Years of service | 1997–2000 |
Zulay Henao (born March 22, 1979) is an American film and television actress. [1] Since first appearing in the 2005 independent production Film 101, she has appeared in numerous films and single episodes of television series, as well as appearing as a series regular in Love Thy Neighbor (2013), If Loving You Is Wrong (2014–2020), and a recurring role in The Oath (2019).
Henao was born in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia. [2] [3] She and her family emigrated to New Jersey. [1] After high school she served three years with the U.S. Army. [4] [5] After the service, Henao enrolled at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts to study acting. [6]
Henao appeared in two small films, and in 2007 made her television debut in an episode of Lifetime drama series, Army Wives . In the same year she also guest-starred on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit . Also in 2007, Henao had supporting roles in films Illegal Tender and Feel the Noise . In 2008 she starred in the horror film Grizzly Park , and appeared opposite Charles S. Dutton in a Lifetime Original Movie Racing for Time .
In 2009, Henao had the female lead role in the sports film Fighting alongside Channing Tatum, and also appeared in the science fiction film S. Darko . In 2011 she starred in the independent psychological-thriller film, Boy Wonder . [7] Henao also has appeared in Takers (2010) and Hostel: Part III (2011).
In 2013, Henao began starring as regular on the Oprah Winfrey Network sitcom, Love Thy Neighbor . [2] She left the show after a single season. [8] Henao starred opposite Nia Long, Wendi McLendon-Covey, and Amy Smart in the 2014 film The Single Moms Club , directed by Tyler Perry. [9] [10] She later was cast in same role of television adaptation of film, called If Loving You Is Wrong . [11] [12] Also in 2014, Henao was cast as adult film legend Vanessa del Rio, in an untitled biopic directed by Thomas Mignone. [13] [14] She later left the project and was replaced by Vivian Lamolli. [15] In 2019, she had a recurring roles in The Oath and Stumptown .
Henao is in a relationship with Kevin Connolly. The couple are parents to daughter Kennedy Cruz, born in June 2021. [16]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2005 | Film 101 | Unknown Role | |
Clearview | Gloria Rojas | ||
2007 | Illegal Tender | Mora | |
Feel the Noise | Carol "CC" Reyes | ||
Saturday Morning | Unknown Role | ||
2008 | The Heart Is a Hidden Camera | Natasha | Short film |
Grizzly Park | Lola | ||
2009 | Fighting | Zulay Velez | |
S. Darko | Baelyn | Direct-to-video | |
The Magnificent Cooly-T | Angie | ||
2010 | Takers | Monica Hatcher | |
2011 | Boy Wonder | Teresa Ames | |
Havana Heat | Agent Brianna Evans | ||
Hostel: Part III | Nikki | ||
2014 | White Space | Lynn Navarro | |
The Single Moms Club | Esperanza | ||
2015 | Destined | Giselle Porter | |
2016 | True Memoirs of an International Assassin | Rosa Bolivar | |
Meet the Blacks | Lorena Black | ||
2017 | Grow House | Madison | |
2018 | Beyond White Space | Lynn Navarro | |
2019 | Grand Isle | Detective Newton | |
2021 | The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2 | Lorena |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2007 | Army Wives | Delores Marino | Episode: "Only the Lonely" |
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Forensics Tech Casanueva | Episode: "Svengali" | |
2008 | Fear Itself | Christie | Episode: "New Year's Day" |
Racing for Time | Carmen | TV movie | |
2009 | The Unusuals | Rosa Trumble | Episode: "Crime Slut" |
2013 | Love Thy Neighbor | Marianna Perez | Series regular, 13 episodes |
2014–2020 | If Loving You Is Wrong | Esperanza | Series regular |
2017 | MacGyver | Cynthia | Episode: "Large Blade" |
2018 | Kevin Can Wait | Rebecca Romero | Episode: "Kevin Can Date" |
2019 | The Oath | Carmen Velasquez | Recurring role, 8 episodes |
Star | Lucia | Episodes: "Watch the Throne" and "The Reckoning" | |
Stumptown | Denise | Episodes: "Missed Connections" and "Family Ties" |