Justina Machado is an American actress, born on September 6, 1972, in Chicago, Illinois. She is of Puerto Rican descent and grew up in a working-class neighborhood. After completing high school, Machado became involved with the Latino Chicago Theater Company, where she developed a deeper interest in acting and performance.
In 1996, Machado moved to Los Angeles to pursue professional acting opportunities. Her early work included small roles in television and film, but she gained significant recognition for her performance as Vanessa Diaz in the critically acclaimed HBO series Six Feet Under. Her contribution to the ensemble cast earned her a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2004.
Machado further expanded her television presence with a recurring role as Darci Factor on the CW’s Jane the Virgin. She later took on a leading role in the Netflix reboot of the Norman Lear series One Day at a Time. Portraying Penelope Alvarez, a single mother and military veteran, Machado received praise for her authentic and heartfelt performance.
One Day at a Time addresses contemporary issues impacting Latino families, including PTSD, immigration status, LGBTQ+ identity, and civic engagement through voting. The show has been widely lauded for its cultural relevance and positive representation of Latino communities. Machado has expressed hope that its success will lead to greater opportunities and visibility for Latino talent in the entertainment industry.
| Height: | 5' 1" |
| Salary: | N/A |
| Date of Birth: | September 6, 1972 (age 46 years) |
| Nationality: | American |
| Net Worth: | N/A |
| Birth Place: | Chicago, IL |
| Education: | Lane Tech College Prep High School (1986–1990) |
| Shoe Size: | N/A |
| Net Worth 2020: | 5 million |
| Net Worth 2021: | 4 million |
