Lana Parrilla

Lana Parrilla – Life, Career & Memorable Quotes

: Dive into the journey of Lana Parrilla — born July 15, 1977 — from Brooklyn beginnings to iconic TV roles like Regina Mills in Once Upon a Time. Explore her life, career, and powerful quotes.

Introduction

Lana María Parrilla (born July 15, 1977) is an American actress, producer, and occasional director, best known for her compelling portrayal of Regina Mills / The Evil Queen in ABC’s fantasy drama Once Upon a Time. Over her multi-decade career, she’s demonstrated range across genres — from drama and crime to fantasy and suspense — and built a reputation for depth, emotional intensity, and resilience.

Early Life & Background

• Birth & family roots: Lana Parrilla was born in Brooklyn, New York. Her mother, Dolores Dee Azzara, has Sicilian (Italian) ancestry, and her father, Sam Parrilla, was Puerto Rican and played professional baseball (including a season with the Philadelphia Phillies).

• Childhood & upbringing: Parrilla grew up in Brooklyn (notably the Boerum Hill area) and later graduated from Fort Hamilton High School in Bay Ridge.

• Tragedy of her father’s death: When Lana was 16 (in 1994), her father was fatally shot during an assault. That loss deeply impacted her personal journey.

• Acting education: After high school, she moved toward Los Angeles and trained at the Beverly Hills Playhouse, studying acting seriously.

• Family influences: Her aunt, Candice Azzara, is a Broadway and television actress, and served as an early inspiration and mentor to Lana.

Career & Breakthrough Roles

Early Television & Film Work

• Lana’s first screen appearances came around 1999, on series such as Grown Ups.

• In 2000–2001, she was a regular on Spin City (as Angie Ordonez)

• She had roles in shows like JAG, The Shield, 24, Lost, Windfall, and Swingtown, showcasing her versatility.

• In Boomtown (2002–2003), she played Teresa Ortiz, a part that earned her recognition and the Imagen Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Regina Mills / Evil Queen in Once Upon a Time

• Lana’s signature role came in 2011 when she joined the cast of Once Upon a Time, portraying Regina Mills / The Evil Queen. The character evolves over the series from villainy toward redemption, allowing Parrilla to explore complex emotional and moral arcs.

• Her performance garnered critical praise, a devoted fan following, and awards, like the ALMA Award for Outstanding TV Actress – Drama in 2012.

• She held that role through the show’s run until 2018.

Recent & Current Projects

• After Once Upon a Time, she appeared in Why Women Kill (Season 2) as Rita Castillo.

• Most recently, she starred in the Netflix sci-fi action film Atlas (2025), playing Val Shepherd.

• Parrilla has also launched a clothing brand, Keep It Regal, inspired by her Once Upon a Time persona and fan culture.

Struggles & Resilience

Lana Parrilla’s path has included significant challenges that shaped her character:

• Early hardship & homelessness: At age 19, while trying to balance school and acting, she dropped out of college and lived out of her car for several months, staying at friends’ places.

• She has said that the memory of those dark days drives her work ethic and creativity, as she fears ever returning to that state.

• Personal transformation: Her role as Regina in Once Upon a Time is itself about redemption, growth, and reclaiming identity — themes Parrilla has both portrayed and lived.

Personality, Traits & Philanthropy

• Emotionally courageous / vulnerable: Parrilla often speaks about embracing rawness, exposing emotional truth, and letting vulnerability inform her acting.

• Hardworking & diligent: She describes herself as “very, very diligent and extremely hard-working.”

• Supportive / inclusive: She has openly voiced support for the LGBTQ+ community, pointing to lifelong ties and the importance of using her platform.

• Fighting spirit: She has mentioned learning self-protection early (her father was a Golden Gloves boxer) and growing up in Brooklyn taught her to be on guard.

Notable Quotes by Lana Parrilla

Here are some standout lines reflecting her philosophy, struggles, and perspective:

“There’s always going to be someone who is prettier than you, better than you in some way, but everyone has that something that makes them different.” “At 3 years old, I was imitating … Then at 5, I knew, ‘OK, this is something I really like.’” “To be vulnerable, to be raw, to virtually expose your guts, I like doing that.” “I am very, very diligent and extremely hard-working.” “I have a lot of LGBT friends and family members … and I’ve always supported the community … I think it’s important to voice that.”

Legacy & Influence

Lana Parrilla has left a distinct mark in television and pop culture:

• Her Regina / Evil Queen role is widely regarded as one of the most memorable fantasy villains/antiheroes in modern TV drama.

• Through Once Upon a Time, she inspired audiences with themes of redemption, maternal strength, and transformation.

• Her openness about personal hardship — from homelessness to grief — adds authenticity to her public persona, enhancing her connection with fans.

• She continues to evolve — not limited to acting, but also entrepreneurship and creative projects that leverage her fan base and identity (e.g. Keep It Regal).

Conclusion

Lana Parrilla’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and purposeful reinvention. From Brooklyn origins, through loss and early hardship, to embodying a beloved, complex character on a hit show, her journey underscores resilience, emotional honesty, and the transformative power of art.