Rosa María "Rosie" Pérez (born September 6, 1964) is an American actress, dancer, choreographer, director, and community activist.

Early life

Pérez was born in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Bushwick to Puerto Rican parents. Her mother Lydia Pérez (née Fontañez), a singer, was married to Ventura Pérez at the time of Rosie's birth. However, Rosie's biological father is Ismail Serrano, a Merchant Marine with whom her mother had had an affair. Much of her young life was spent in foster care.Quake or No Quake, the Show Must Go On - New York Timesaids_group.html Rosie Helped Mom, Aids Groups Sayher_mom_aids_activi.html ROSIE, HER MOM & AIDS Activist Pérez shuns mom who's dying of the disease She attended the Grover Cleveland High School in Queens, New York and a community college in Los Angeles.books.google.com/books?id=1YpcSNSYXCwC&pg=PA209&lpg=PA209&dq=%22Rosie+Perez%22+%22Grover+Cleveland+High+School%22&source=bl&ots=ILSZvUtzS7&sig=yviBBRVDbP_o8X3Jfs-3r-J4jjw&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=3&ct=result#PPA210,M1