Roldán, Emma

(1893 or '96?-1979)

   famous "battle-axe" actress of Mexican cinema, on-screen from the 1930s until her death. Roldán, who first appeared on stage in 1912, often played acerbic, even gruff characters (including a fair number of villainous roles), although later in her career her screen image mellowed somewhat. Married to actor Alfredo del Diestro. She earned Best Supporting Actress nominations for Vértigo, Vino el remolino y nos alevantó and Cárcel de mujeres, but the only major prize she won in her long career was a Diosa de Plata for La pasión según Berenice.