Maria Elena Ruiz (born January 30, 1972) is an American actress. While information regarding her early life and specific educational background is limited in publicly available resources, she is known for her contributions to film and television.
Ruiz is primarily recognized for her supporting roles, often playing characters with strong personalities. She began her acting career with smaller roles and has since built a solid resume in both television and film.
Ruiz is perhaps best known for her role as Maria Ruiz, a tough and resourceful inmate, in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black. Her performance garnered critical acclaim and contributed significantly to the show’s success. She received a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series for her work on the show in 2017.
In addition to Orange Is the New Black, Ruiz has appeared in various other television shows, further solidifying her presence in the industry. These include guest appearances and supporting roles in series spanning different genres.