{{Short description|Panamanian-born American actress and social worker}} {{Infobox person | name = Hazel Medina | image = | birth_date = {{birth date|1937|10|8}} | birth_place = Colón, Panama<ref name="obituary" /> | death_date = {{death date and age|2012|2|14|1937|10|8}} | death_place = New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, U.S.<ref name="obituary" /> | spouse = Jerry Matz (1981–2012; her death) | occupation = Actress | years_active = 1967-2007 }}

'''Hazel Medina''' (October 8, 1937&nbsp;– February 14, 2012) was a Panamanian-born American actress and social worker. She made many guest appearances on television shows between 1969 and 2007, as well as appearing on stage as a member of Theater West and a founding member of the Group Repertory Theater.<ref>[https://www.variety.com/article/VR1118051377 Actress Hazel Medina dies at 74, Balanced performing with career as social worker"], Variety.com, March 12, 2012. Accessed November 3, 2012.</ref>

==Career== She made her on-screen debut in the TV series ''I Spy'' in 1967, playing the younger sister of Bill Cosby's character. Then she followed up with a part in ''Gunsmoke''.<ref>''New York Amsterdam News'', 6/27/2012 - [http://amsterdamnews.com/news/2012/jun/27/a-celebration-of-the-life-of-hazel-medina-matz/ A celebration of the life of Hazel Medina-Matz]</ref> In 1970, she appeared in an episode of ''Medical Center'', "The Rebel In White", playing the part of Hettie Simpson.<ref>[http://www.ultimate70s.com/actor/Hazel_Medina/-/- 1970-1982 TV show guest appearances for Hazel Medina], ultimate70s.com. Accessed May 31, 2024.</ref>

==Illness and death== In 2007, Medina was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. She died from complications of the disease on February 14, 2012. She was 74 years of age at New York Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan.<ref>[https://variety.com/2012/film/news/actress-hazel-medina-dies-at-74-1118051377/ Actress Hazel Medina dies at 74], ''Variety'', March 12, 2012.</ref><ref name="obituary">[https://amsterdamnews.com/news/2012/06/28/a-celebration-of-the-life-of-hazel-medina-matz/ A Celebration of the Life of Hazel Medina Matz], amsterdamnews.com. June 28, 2012. Accessed June 4, 2024.</ref>

==Filmography== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |+ Filmography |- ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" | Director ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes # |- ! scope="row" | ''Watermelon Man'' | 1970 | Widow | Melvin Van Peebles | |- ! scope="row" | ''Women in Chains'' | 1972 | Althea | Bernard L. Kowalski | TV movie |- ! scope="row" | ''Limbo'' | 1972 | Jane Work | Mark Robson | |- ! scope="row" | ''Cry Rape'' | 1973 | Louise Jennings | Corey Allen | TV movie |- ! scope="row" | ''Longtime Companion'' | 1989 | Triage Nurse | Norman René | |- ! scope="row" | ''Malcolm X'' | 1992 | Cashier Person | Spike Lee | |- ! scope="row" | ''The Point of Betrayal'' | 1995 | Nurse | Richard Martini | |- ! scope="row" | ''Music of the Heart'' | 1999 | Alice | Wes Craven | |- ! scope="row" | ''Ten Hundred Kings'' | 2000 | Rehab Attendant | D.W. Maze | |- ! scope="row" | ''My Suicidal Sweetheart'' | 2005 | Night Nurse | Michael Parness | |- ! scope="row" | ''Betty on the Bed'' | 2006 | Alice | Steve Harper | Short |- ! scope="row" | ''I Think I Love My Wife'' | 2007 | Pam | Chris Rock | (final film role) |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{IMDb name|0575694|Hazel Medina}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Medina, Hazel}} Category:1938 births Category:2012 deaths Category:American television actresses Category:American film actresses Category:American social workers Category:Actresses from Los Angeles Category:Panamanian emigrants to the United States Category:Deaths from multiple myeloma in New York (state) Category:20th-century American actresses Category:21st-century American women Category:Naturalized citizens of the United States