Born on Governor's Island, New York, actress Norma Maldonado has built a solid reputation in Hollywood by bringing passion to every project. Whether playing a commanding attorney or a mother fighting for her children, Norma always shines on screen. She's starred in dozens of film and television projects including Mad Men, The Closer, Criminal Minds, Desperate Housewives, NYPD Blue, and Erin Brockovich often working with directors and creators of the highest caliber such as Steven Soderbergh, Gregory Navas, Joel Schulmaker, and J.J. Abrams. In addition, Norma has lent her talents to numerous national television commercials, voice-overs projects and looping of top Hollywood films.In real life, Norma is a strong woman who goes out of her way to help those in need. Her strength and compassion first began as by-product of childhood circumstances. Norma's father was in Air America for the US Air Force which forced her family to frequently relocate and required her to adapt to many new surroundings. Life would change dramatically for the young girl when, at the tender age of 12, her father was killed in action. Standing strong for her family, Norma's mother relocated the family to her homeland of Puerto Rico. It was here that Norma discovered her passion for acting while watching her mother's friends tape weekly variety shows at the WAPA Studios.Norma has always had a fascination for human behavior. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology at the University of Puerto Rico and completed one year of clinical Psychology at Albizu University. Later, she went on to earn a Masters in Communications from the University of Georgia. Over the years, Norma has also developed an ear for languages and accents. Her fluency in English, Spanish, and Serbian has helped open doors to many interesting roles, including that of a rape counselor in a short film for the United Nations. Shot in the Macedonian language, the film was made to help bring attention to the trafficking of young women into white slavery.Norma is passionate about her service to charities and organizations in need. She has been involved with several children's causes and has worked for 13 years with the LA Music Center's Education Programs, storytelling to children throughout California and across the country. She helps St. Jude's Children Hospital, Susan G. Koman Foundation, MANNA, AJWS, and ONE, and is currently working to stop sex trafficking of children and young people. Norma has also been an active member of some of Hollywood's most prominent entertainment organizations, including Film Independent and Women in Film. Show less «