At A Glance

The daughter of Cuban and Puerto Rican parents, Santiago's family moved from the Bronx to Homestead, Florida, when she was 13.

Saundra attended the University of Miami on a scholarship, majoring in psychology. As a University of Miami student, she became interested in acting. After graduation, she went on to post-graduate study in theater and arts at Southern Methodist University, eventually earning a master's degree.

She is best known for her role as Detective Gina Calabrese on the hit 1980s television show Miami Vice. She spent three years playing the role of crime boss Carmen Santos on the long-running CBS soap opera Guiding Light. Coincidentally, she appeared simultaneously in a recurring role on The Sopranos as Tony Soprano's next door neighbor, Jeannie Cusamano, and as her twin sister, Joan.

Acting Portfolio: TELEVISION

One Life to Live Carlotta Vega September 2, 2009 to September 8, 2011

One Life to Live
Isabella Santi/Angelina Parades
Summer 2004

Guiding Light
Carmen Santos
January 1999 to June 6, 2000; November 10, 13 and 14, 2000; August 10, 2001 to January 2, 2003

The Sopranos
Jean Cusamano
1999

To Sir With Love 2
1996

Deadline for Murder: From the Files of Edna Buchanan
Rosinha Zulueta
1995

New York Undercover
Juanita
April 13, 1995

The Cosby Mysteries
Amy Flusser
1994

With Hostile Intent
1993

Law & Order
Sandra Alvaro
November 18, 1992

Miami Vice
Detective Gina Navarro Calabrese
1984

Acting Portfolio: FILM

The Promise
Lourdes
2006

Threads
Franca Fortuna
2002

Hi-Life
Elena
1998

Nick and Jane
Stephanie
1997

Carlito's Way
1993

Beat Street
1984

End of August
Mariequita
1982

Acting Portfolio

THEATRE (BROADWAY)

Chronicle of Death Fortold

Smile

A View From the Bridge

Acting Portfolio

THEATRE (REGIONAL)

Hello Again

Bedfellows

The Young Girl and the Monsoon

Spike Heels

Evita

Awards & Acclaim

Daytime Emmys Pre-Nomination, Outstanding Supporting Actress (2003) ALMA Awards Nominee, Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama (2002)

Vital Statistics

PLACE OF BIRTH: Bronx, New York

DATE OF BIRTH: April 13, 1957

HAIR: Black

EYES: Brown
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Miami and a Masters of Fine Arts from Southern Methodist University.

MARITAL STATUS: Married musician, Roger Squintero, on November 21, 1999