Outstanding Performance in a Television Series Awards go to:  Morena Bacarrin, Lana Parrilla, and Gina Torres  

Mario.500Pasadena, CA - The National Hispanic Media Coalition, NHMC, announces its 16th Annual Impact Awards Gala, taking place Friday, February 22, in Beverly Hills, California. The NHMC Gala is one of the premiere Latino entertainment events in the country, recognizing outstanding contributions to the positive portrayal of Latinos in media. NHMC’s President and CEO, Alex Nogales, will host four hundred of the most influential persons in Hollywood when it comes to advancing Latino talent in Hollywood.

This year’s Impact Awards will honor onscreen talents Mario Lopez, Morena Baccarin, Lana Parrilla and Gina Torres.

“You know something exciting is happening when Latinos get to play a broad array of roles ranging from evil queens to lawyers, and when Latinos are hosting major shows like Extra and X Factor,” Nogales stated. “These four top-notch talents are beloved by millions of American fans, with particular appeal to the American Latino community.”
Media all-star Mario Lopez, host of Fox’s X-Factor and the nationally syndicated EXTRA, will be honored with the award Outstanding Media Entrepreneur for his great feats in the entertainment industry thus far. Mario’s acting career was launched on the cult TV classic Saved by the Bell where he played the funny and lovable jock, A.C. Slater. Known as a jack of all trades, Mario is not only a well-known TV personality but also a nationally-syndicated radio show host on On with Mario and a New York Times bestselling author for his health and fitness books.
Morena Baccarin

Morena Baccarin

This year NHMC is honoring the following actresses with the NHMC Outstanding Performance in a Television Series Award:

 Morena Baccarin for her moving performance on Showtime’s Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning series, Homeland. Baccarin plays Jessica Brody, the presumed-widow of Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis), a marine who was thought to have died in Iraq but turns up alive after eight years and returns home a war hero. Baccarin stars alongside a notable cast that includes Claire Danes, Damian Lewis and Mandy Patinkin. Before Homeland, Baccarin was last seen starring as a shapeshifting alien leader on ABC’s drama sci-fi, V.
Lana Parilla

Lana Parilla

Lana Parrilla for her role as the Evil Queen / Mayor Regina Mills in ABC’s Once Upon a Time. Parrilla’s performance as the alluring villain of parallel worlds, a mythical fairytale land and the modern fictional town of Storybrooke, Maine, has garnered her numerous accolades including TV Guide Magazine’s “Fan Favorite Villain.”

Seasoned television and film actress Gina Torres will be honored for her role as Jessica Pearson, managing partner of Pearson Harden law firm, on USA’s Suits. Most notably known in the world of sci-fi, Torres has TV credits ranging from her

Gina Torres

Gina Torres

role as the Russo-Cuban assassin Anna Espinsoa, on Alias, to the shotgun-toting mercenary Zoe Washburn, on Firefly, and the soul-eating Jasmin onAngel. Her film credits include The Matrix Reloadedand Matrix Revolutions opposite husband Laurence Fishbourne and Keanu Reeves.

Extended talent biographies and headshots provided upon request.
More information about the 16th Annual Impact Awards Gala can be found here.