Early Life and Cultural Roots
Begoña del Pilar Plazaetxea Goyenetxe was born on July 12, 1966, in Bogotá, Colombia. Her early years were shaped by a rich tapestry of Basque and Colombian identities.
| Year | Age | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | 0 | Bogotá, Colombia | Birth of Begoña Plaza |
| 1968 | 2 | Gernika, Euskadi | Family relocates to Gernika |
| 1973 | 7 | Hollywood, California | Family immigrates to the United States; father opens bakery |
| 1975 | 9 | Hollywood, California | Film debut in Big Sister |
| 1984 | 18 | Los Angeles, California | Begins professional acting in major studio productions |
Her father, a native of Gernika, Euskadi, survived the April 26, 1937 bombing that devastated his hometown. That event later became the centerpiece of Plaza’s documentary work. Her mother, born in Colombia to a Basque father, reinforced bilingual fluency from infancy. Between 1973 and 1992, Plaza navigated life between three countries—Colombia, Spain, and the United States—fostering her dual-language skills and cultural adaptability.
Acting and Filmmaking Career
Over a span of 40 years, Plaza has built a multifaceted career in film and television. She collaborated with prominent directors and shared screen time with leading actors of the late 20th century.
| Year | Title | Role | Medium | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Heartbreak Ridge | Supporting Actress | Feature Film | California, USA |
| 1989 | Born on the Fourth of July | Spanish Interpreter | Feature Film | California, USA |
| 1990 | Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection | Lead Antagonist | Feature Film | Colombia |
| 1995 | Heat | Police Detective | Feature Film | California, USA |
| 1997 | Dark Justice (Episodes 1–12) | Guest Star | Television | Barcelona, Spain |
| 2003 | Souvenir Views | Writer, Director | Documentary | New York, USA |
Key milestones:
- 1986: First major studio role at age 20 in a military drama.
- 1989–1995: Four feature films spanning war narratives, action thrillers, and crime dramas.
- 1997: Pioneered U.S.–Catalan television co-production with 12 episodes filmed in Barcelona.
- 2003: Premiered Souvenir Views at an international film festival in April 2003; broadcast on an independent arts channel.
Her documentary Gernika Lives (2018) investigates the April 26, 1937 bombing through interviews with survivors aged 80–95, including her father. Edited in 2019 with a runtime of 40 minutes, it was narrated by her mentor, an American actor aged 86 at the time of recording.
Writing and Stage Productions
Plaza’s career also encompasses playwriting and stage direction. She has authored 5 full-length scripts and 3 one-person shows.
| Year | Title | Format | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Souvenir Views | Documentary Film | New York Film Festival |
| 2012 | Teresa’s Ecstasy | Stage Play | Off-Broadway, Cherry Lane |
| 2015 | The Persistence of Memory | Screenplay | Private Workshop |
| 2021 | Quantum’s Big Picture | One-Person Play | New York Public Library |
| 2024 | Passion Flower of Spain | Nonfiction Book | In progress |
Highlights:
- 2012: Teresa’s Ecstasy earned a 12-minute standing ovation during its March–April run.
- 2021: Quantum’s Big Picture explores concepts in quantum mechanics over a 60-minute solo performance.
- 2024: Upcoming book examines the life of a Spanish Civil War figure through 320 pages of archival research.
Family and Personal Life
Plaza’s personal narrative is intertwined with her family’s history of migration and resilience.
| Family Member | Birth Year | Location | Notable Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Father | 1929 | Gernika, Euskadi | Guernica bombing survivor; bakery owner in Hollywood (1973–1985) |
| Mother | 1935 | Barranquilla, Colombia | Basque descent; bilingual educator |
| Former Spouse | 1964 | Barcelona, Spain | Catalan artist; married 1989, divorced 1995 |
| Daughter: Caterina | 1992 | Barcelona, Spain | Born August 8, 1992; private individual |
- Married from 1989 to 1995, Plaza and her spouse collaborated on 2 art exhibitions in Barcelona.
- As a single mother since 1995, she balanced international filmmaking with raising her daughter.
- She maintains residence in New York City (Manhattan) and Barcelona, spending 6 months each year on each continent.
Despite a public career, Plaza avoids social media platforms and focuses on archival research, writing, and private collaborations. She has lived in 5 major cities: Bogotá, Gernika, Hollywood, New York, and Barcelona.
Legacy and Impact
Plaza’s work bridges historical memory, scientific inquiry, and personal narrative, earning her recognition across 3 continents.
| Domain | Contribution | Year Range |
|---|---|---|
| Historical Documentary | Preservation of Basque memory (Gernika Lives) | 2018–2020 |
| Feature Films | Roles in 6 major Hollywood productions | 1986–1995 |
| Stage and Writing | 5 scripts and books exploring human resilience | 2003–Present |
| Cultural Exchange | U.S.–Catalan co-productions and bilingual projects | 1997–Present |
Her commitment to cross-cultural storytelling is shown:
- 3 languages mastered: Spanish, English, Basque
- 4 continents visited for research and festivals
- Over 1,200 hours of recorded interviews with historical witnesses
Emerging filmmakers and playwrights look to her documentaries and plays for inspiration in blending personal and collective memories.
FAQ
Who is Begoña Plaza?
Born on July 12, 1966, in Bogotá, Colombia, Begoña Plaza is a Spanish-American actor, writer, director, and filmmaker.
What are her most notable films?
Her key films include Heartbreak Ridge (1986), Born on the Fourth of July (1989), Heat (1995), and Delta Force 2 (1990).
When did she premiere her first documentary?
Gernika Lives premiered in 2018 and had a 40-minute runtime edited in 2019.
How many scripts has she written?
She has written 5 full-length scripts and 3 one-person shows since 2003.
Does she have children?
Yes, she has one daughter, Caterina, born on August 8, 1992, in Barcelona.
What languages does she speak?
She speaks 3 languages: Spanish, English, and Basque.
Where does she currently live?
She divides her time between Manhattan in New York City and Barcelona, Spain.
What upcoming work is she known for?
Her forthcoming book, Passion Flower of Spain, is set for release in 2024 and spans approximately 320 pages.
