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Liza Colón-Zayas Is the Heart of The Bear
Liza Colón-Zayas is one of the most essential, authentic voices in television right now. Born in the Bronx in 1972 to Puerto Rican parents, she’s built her career from the ground up, moving from the theater world to film and TV with a determination that shows in every character she plays. With four acclaimed seasons of The Bear under her belt and a fifth on the way, Colón-Zayas has secured her place in the cultural conversation, thanks to her Emmy-winning role as Tina Marrero.
The Rise Before The Recognition
Before she donned a chef’s apron on FX’s hit show, Liza was paving her way on the stage. As a founding member of New York’s LAByrinth Theater Company, she both wrote and performed Sistah Supreme, a one-woman show inspired by her experiences growing up Afro-Latina in New York. This performance carved her identity as a fearless storyteller dedicated to authenticity.
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Her theater work garnered attention from both critics and casting directors. Eventually, she secured roles on popular TV shows like Law & Order: SVU, Dexter, Sex and the City, and Blue Bloods. She also impressed in the critically acclaimed Between Riverside and Crazy, taking home the Lucille Lortel Award. But it was her role in The Bear that really made her a star.
Tina Marrero: From Side Character to the Heartbeat of the Show
Introduced as a skeptical line cook in the first season, Tina Marrero has become the emotional anchor of The Bear. Colón-Zayas plays Tina with warmth, grit, and humor. Over time, Tina evolves from a resistant employee into a skilled sous-chef who commands respect in a high-pressure kitchen. Her journey, much like Colón-Zayas’ own, is about growth, resilience, and self-belief.
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In season four, Tina faces new challenges, including the pressure to streamline her pasta prep time. But she also opens up, seeks advice from her coworkers, and lets go of her defensive edge. Her growth arc is subtle yet powerful. As Colón-Zayas shared with Variety, “This season, I realize these people aren’t the enemy. We’re all in this together.”
Episode 6 of season three, “Napkins,” unveiled Tina’s backstory. After getting fired from an office job and hitting a low point in her life, she stumbled upon The Beef, where Mikey Berzatto offered her a job. That opportunity changed the course of her life.
In the show, you also get to know a little about Tina’s marriage, showcasing a newfound emotional maturity, a scene that’s even more touching when you know her real-life husband, David Zayas (Dexter), plays her on-screen partner.
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Colón-Zayas’ work has finally received the accolades it deserves. She became the first Latina to win the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2024. She also earned an Imagen Award, a SAG Award, and nominations for the Golden Globe and Critics Choice Awards, and another Emmy nomination could be announced soon, with contenders revealed on July 15.
Liza continues to diversify her work. In 2024, she appeared in the fantasy-comedy film If, alongside Ryan Reynolds and Phoebe Waller-Bridge. And with a fifth season of The Bear on the way, her star is only rising.
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After three decades of persistence, Liza Colón-Zayas is finally getting her due. She’s not just portraying Tinashe’s embodying every hardworking woman who’s ever needed a second chance. And she’s doing it with grace, power, and authenticity.
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