Patrice Martinez

Patrice Martinez
Born June 12, 1963
Died December 24, 2018 (aged 55)
Other names Patrice Camhi, Patricia Martinez
Occupation Actress
Years active 1986–1999
Spouse
Daniel Camhi
(m. 1987; div. 1992)

Patrice Martinez (June 12, 1963 – December 24, 2018) was an American actress. She received her theatrical education in London, played the role of Carmen in the film Three Amigos, and starred in the early 1990s television series Zorro.

Life and career

Martinez was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. As a child, she performed in a local theater. She started her screen career as a teenager, working as an extra in the film Convoy, directed by Sam Peckinpah. After high school, when she was eighteen, she moved from Albuquerque to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London.

She returned to the United States and soon moved to Los Angeles, California, where she gained her first film experience in A Walk on the Moon. She appeared in Three Amigos in 1986, and later accepted a role on Magnum, P.I. with Tom Selleck, portraying Linda Lee Ellison in season 7 ("Forty") and season 8 (the series conclusion, "Resolutions", episodes 12 & 13). After that, she portrayed Victoria Escalante in Zorro and appeared in Beetlejuice, The Effects of Magic, and Vital Signs.

Martinez is the sister of Benito Martinez and the daughter of Margarita Martinez-Cannon. She also has a sister, Benita, who looks like her but is two years younger. Benita was also cast in Three Amigos.

From 1987 until 1992, Martinez was married to producer-director Daniel Camhi, and was credited as "Patrice Camhi" in the first two seasons of Zorro. Martinez and Camhi divorced, so she appeared as Patrice Martinez from Season Three on.

Death

Martinez died on December 24, 2018, at her home in Burbank, California, after a long illness.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1978 Convoy Maria
1986 Three Amigos Carmen
1987 A Walk on the Moon India
1987 Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge Bright Water
1988 Beetlejuice Miss Argentina, Receptionist
1998 The Effects of Magic Beatrice
1990–1993 Zorro Victoria Escalante

Awards

  • The Sir Emile Littler Award (at RADA) for "Outstanding Talent"
  • The Flora Robson Award (at RADA) for the "Best Talent from Overseas"
  • The Edmund Gray Memorial Award (at RADA) for "Best Performance in a Restoration Company"
  • The Dame Edith Evans Memorial Award (at RADA) for "Excellence in Speaking Poetry"
  • The Lord Lurgan's Ivar Novello Award (at RADA) for her "Grace and Charm in Movement"
  • The Margo Albert Golden Eagle Award (1987) for "Most Promising Actress"
  • The SAG/AFTRA Award for "Achievements in the Entertainment Industry"