By Robert Wood
As shy as she was, still in high school, Vanessa Marquez figured out a way to get an audition to the film Stand and Deliver. She took the bus to her audition and she landed one of the ensemble roles, she was cast as Ana Delgado in the 1988 drama which starred Edward James Olmos and went on to be a big hit, as well as start Marquez on a career in Hollywood.
She played nurse Wendy Goldman during the first three seasons of ER, where fans really got to see her talent. Other TV appearances include: Seinfeld, Melrose Place and Malcolm & Eddie. In films, Marquez was in Under Suspicion (2000), Blood In Blood Out (1993) and the indie film, Twenty Bucks (1993).
The native Angeleno, Marquez had a passion for acting since an early age, especially after the first time she saw the 1939 classic, The Wizard of Oz. When she was just eight years old, she wrote Paramount Studios, saying, “My name is Vanessa Marquez, and I am 8 years old an actress, and I am ready to audition for any parts you feel that I’m right for.” No response came for another six years, until she was cast in Stand and Deliver, and that is when her professional career began in earnest.
Throughout many stages of her life, Marquez faced many obstacles, challenges and instances of adversity. Despite the series of hurdles she encountered, her talent, determination and dedication were just three of the qualities she used to beat the odds and have an impact entertaining and inspiring audiences.
These traits often emerged through in the characters she played. Ana Delgado in Stand and Deliver, future professor Lucy in August 29 and other roles such as her spot as a nursing student on NBC’s Nurses and later as Nurse Wendy Goldman on ER were all characters who either succeeded or were positioned to succeed through education in a variety of fields.
In her writings, Marquez relayed the story of how her English teacher in Schurr High School encouraged her and was one of the first people to recognize that she had abilities beyond the expectations held by others. Vanessa Marquez was a gifted and talented thespian and writer. She had mental demons that ultimately, she was not able to overcome. Still, her work speaks volumes—Playwright Jose Rivera named a character of Vanessa Marquez in his 2000 play Sonnets for an Old Century after the actress, who had appeared in his 1997 play, The Street of the Sun.
“Any film that not only allows you to dream, but LIVE the dream, is worthy of every accolade. Thirty something years later, the body may be weak but the heart and mind and soul are just as inspired perhaps even more so. You see, for some of us, it’s not just a movie. It’s become a way of life, a way of thinking, living and dealing with the world around us in the most hopeful, inspired and spiritual of ways.” –Vanessa Marquez
With regards to what has happened since Marquez’s death by police shooting, it is reported that this past June, her mother, Delia McElfresh has filed Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages. According to the incident report, it was the paramedics who brought the South Pasadena police officers, who disregarded the paramedics’ decision that Marquez had a right to refuse to be taken to hospital and instead created a confrontation that led to her death, the suit states.
“This is exactly the kind of lethal and unnecessary police action that has led so many in the country to call out for police reform,” said plaintiff’s attorney Vicki I. Sarmiento in an NBC4 report. “This was a situation in which Ms. Marquez was in her home minding her own business and instead of receiving assistance from medical professionals, she was shot to death.”
Hopefully, as the 21st century continues on, more people can exceed whatever expectations others have of them. But it is also important that people with mental health disorders be at the forefront for them to have access to medical treatments to prevent tragedies like that of Marquez. And, that all law enforcement agencies be trained in recognizing that victims with mental health problems require a sensitive and special handling—not sure why that is not obvious—but just maybe they would not get trigger happy before giving mental health professionals an opportunity to deescalate the situation.
Mental health diseases will always plague our society. May future generations of people, regardless of age, gender, economic status or cultural background can have an ultimately positive effect on not only themselves but also their community, their country and their world. And, that those who need mental health treatments, that they be able to be treated without getting shot down by law enforcement agencies.
Marquez’s life was challenged with mental health issues that she worked on in the A&E Network reality TV series, Intervention, as she tried to manage her shopping addiction. Unfortunately, according to friends, her treatment was unsuccessful. Her mental illness (said to be bipolar disorder and agoraphobia) ended her acting career as she pretty much stayed homebound.