During a publicity tour for Moana in 2016, Lin Manuel Miranda revealed that early stage-work had begun on a project that John Lasseter had presented to him and Byron Howard. Howard and Jared Bush subsequently revealed that after finishing Zootopia, they wanted to work on a musical, turning into a Latin American musical once Miranda came on board. Since Howard and Bush had worked on “where two characters go out into the world and learn about each other,” they wanted to try something “completely different.” The 3 men discussed their common experience of having large extended families and decided to make a musical about a large extended family with a dozen main characters. During the 5 years it took to develop the film, Howard and Bush’s “true north” was the theme of perspective “about how you see the other people in your family and how you’re seen.” They began brainstorming ideas on a whiteboard. Early on, they made “three important discoveries” about families that formed the film’s story basis: “1) most of us don’t feel truly seen by our families, 2) most of us carry burdens we never let our families see, and 3) most of us are oblivious that nearly all of us, especially within our own families, feel the exact same way.” In turn, Miranda suggested that the “vibrant broad spectrum” of Latin American music could “best capture” the complexity of family relationships. Early in development, the production team spoke with many therapists and psychologists as well as family members and Disney Animation people.

        Howard and Bush began discussing Latin American culture at length with Juan Rendon and Natalie Osma, who had previously worked with them on the documentary Imagining Zootopia. Since Rendon and Osma happened to be from Colombia and repeatedly drew upon their personal experiences with Colombian culture in their discussions, Bush, Howard, and Miranda decided to focus their research on that country. With Rendon and Osma being the first 2 experts that Disney hired as consultants. In 2018, the 5 went on a research trip to Colombia for 2 weeks. They met with architects, chefs, and artisans to immerse themselves in the country’s culture. They visited the Gabriel Garcia Marquez Foundation as well as cities like Bogota and Cartagena. But they found more inspiration in the small towns such as Salento and Barichara. With Bush stating, “every town we went to had a very specific personality,” because of how the country’s mountainous terrain divides and isolates them. And it was this isolation that became key to placing the Madrigals residence in a “remote encanto,” a charmed or “spiritually blessed” place where magic and reality merge. In Barichara, they befriended a woman named Espinosa Uribe who showed them around town and was later hired as a consultant on the film’s historical and cultural authenticity. She was also an inspiration for Mirabel with her curly black hair, big glasses, and gestures. They also decided to set the movie in the early 1900s and use a “folkloric Colombian aesthetic” due to the Thousand Days’ War that resulted in entire villages fleeing to save themselves as depicted in the film. Upon its 2021 release, Encanto garnered rave reviews as well as earned $261.3 million at the box office against a $120-150 million budget, which would be considered an under performance. But since life was getting back to normal after the Covid 19 pandemic, it’s fairly solid. Yet, it was very popular on Disney+ and “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” was one of the most listened to songs at the time. It also won many awards including the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. In this post, we’ll meet the voices behind 3 more characters from Luca as well as Mirabel, Alma, Luisa, Julieta, Pepa, Isabela, and Camillo.

541. Giacomo Gianniotti

Dates: 1989-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Rome, Italy. Father’s Italian. Mother’s Canadian. Parents’ divorced in 1994 resulting in him being raised in his mom’s hometown of Parry Sound, Ontario in Canada. Moved again at 16 to Toronto into York Mills. Attended high school at Cardinal Academy of the Arts in Toronto. Graduated from Humber College’s Theatre Program and completed an actor’s residency at Norman Jewison’s Canadian Film Centre in Toronto. Made screen debut in 2010.

Movies and Cartoons: Luca (2021)

Characters: Giacomo

Also Known For: Italian-Canadian actor best known as Dr. Andrew DeLuca in Grey’s Anatomy and Diabolik in Diabolik: Ginko Attacks! and Diabolik: Who Are You?. Film appearances include Race and The Cuban. TV appearances include Reign, Murdoch Mysteries, Medicina generale, Beauty & the Beast, Selfie, Backpackers, From Scratch, Wild Cards, and Deceitful Love. Video game appearances include Marvel’s Avengers and Horizon: Forbidden West.

Personal Life: Married to Nichole Gustafson since 2019.

Later Life: Often divides his time between Toronto and Rome working in Canadian and Italian stage, films, and television.

Trivia: None.

542. Gino La Monica

Dates: 1944-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Portici, Italy. Trained at the Accademia Nazionale di Arte Drammatica Silvio D’Amico. Began acting in theatre and television during the 1960s.

Movies and Cartoons: Luca (2021) as well as the short Ciao Alberto.

Characters: Tommaso

Also Known For: Italian actor best known as a dubbing artist. Has dubbed the voices of Christopher Walken, William Hurt, Sam Neill, Dustin Hoffman, Richard Gere, David Hemmings, Martin Sheen, Robert Redford, Harrison Ford, Michael Caine, Alan Rickman, Jonathan Pryce, Jeremy Irons, and others. Film dubbings include Titan A. E., Over the Hedge, The Graduate, Deep Red, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, The Mission, GoldenEye, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, X-Men, Pirated of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Ted, Captain America: Civil War, Thor: Ragnarok, The Man Who Invented Christmas, Avengers: Infinity War, The Two Popes, Black Widow, and Dune Part Two. TV dubbings include Avatar: The Last Airbender and Star Wars: Clone Wars.

Personal Life: Married to Emanuela Giovannini since 2012. Has 2 daughters named Alessia and Carolina.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.

543. Jim Pirri

Dates: 1964-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Lakewood, Colorado. Father’s a linguist. Grew up in Italy. Was an engineering major at the University of Colorado where he studied theater. Took part in the Colorado Shakespeare Festival in 1987 and 1988. Made his screen debut in 1989.

Movies and Cartoons: Luca (2021) as well as the series The Owl House.

Characters: Mr. Branzino

Also Known For: Voice actor and fight choreographer best known as Angelo Bronte in Red Dead Redemption 2, Luca Cocchiola in Battlefield 1, Rais in Dying Light, Boozer in Days Gone, Kraven the Hunter in Spider-Man 2, David Vega in Victorious, and Uncle Frank in Shake It Up. Film appearances include The Wizard, Perfect Target, Collaborator, The Fault in Our Stars, Madagascar, The Hunted, Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay, and Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie. TV appearances include Beverly Hills 90210, Santa Barbara, Diagnosis: Murder, Reasonable Doubt, Valley of the Dolls, Murder, She Wrote, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Family Matters, Home Improvement, 3^rd Rock from the Sun, Union Square, JAG, The Love Boat: The Next Wave, Just Shoot Me!, The Practice, Nash Bridges, Providence, NCIS, Charmed, Alias, CSI: NY, Zoey 101, Without a Trace, The O.C., Chuck, iCarly, CSI: Miami, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, NCIS: Los Angeles, Major Crimes, The Exes, Star vs. the Forces of Evil, Bones, Lethal Weapon, Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia, Dreamworks Dragons, Batwoman, Wizards: Tales of Arcadia, and Batman: Caped Crusader. Video game appearances include World of Warcraft, L.A. Noire, Captain America: Super Soldier, Diablo III, Lost Planet 3, Grand Theft Auto V, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Murdered: Soul Suspect, Heroes of the Storm, The Order: 1886, Rise of the Tomb Raider, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, Mafia III, Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst, Final Fantasy XV, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, Injustice 2, Knack II, Middle-earth: Shadow of War, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, God of War, Thief of Thieves, Star Wars: Squadrons, Return to Monkey Island, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, and Batman: Arkham Shadow.

Personal Life: Can’t find anything about his personal life.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.

544. Stephanie Beatriz

Dates: 1981-present

Early Life and Career: Born Stephanie Beatriz Bischoff Alvizuri in Neuquen, Argentina. Father’s Colombian. Mother’s Bolivian. Family moved to the United States when she was 2. Grew up in Webster, Texas which is outside Houston. Attended Clear Brook High School. As a child, her mother took Beatriz and her younger sister to arts exhibits and events. Became interested in acting after taking speech and debate as an elective, allowing her to appear in plays. Became a US citizen at 18. Attended the all-women’s Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. After graduating in 2002, she moved to New York to pursue acting.

Movies and Cartoons: Encanto (2021) as well as the series Elena of Avalor and Duck Tales and the video game Disney Dreamlight Valley.

Characters: Mirabel Madrigal

Also Known For: Actress best known as Detective Rosa Diaz in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Quiet in Twisted Metal, Carla in In the Heights, and Vaggie in Hazbin Hotel. Film appearances include Short Term 12, You’re Not You, Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, Ice Age: Collision Course, The Pistol Shrimps, The Light of the Moon, Hal Magic, The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, The Bob’s Burgers Movie, Reverse the Course, First Time Female Director, and Doin’ It. TV appearances include The Closer, Southland, Modern Family, @midnight, Bob’s Burgers, BoJack Horseman, Hell’s Kitchen, The Unauthorized Bash Brothers Experience, Twelve Forever, Family Guy, Wizards: Tales of Arcadia, Reno 911!, Central Park, Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous, American Dad!, Maya and the Three, Robot Chicken, The Legend of Vox Machina, Big Mouth, Krapopolis, Hit-Monkey, A Man on the Inside, and Creature Commandos.

Personal Life: Married to actor Brad Hoss since 2018. They have a daughter born in 2021. Came out as bisexual in 2016. Has a severe astigmatism and needs glasses to see. Doesn’t normally wear her glasses in many of her roles and her eyes are sensitive to contact lenses. Thus, she has difficulty hitting her marks while on camera. Also experienced an eating disorder while in college.

Later Life: Has lived in Los Angeles since 2010.

Trivia: None.

545. María Cecilia Botero

Dates: 1955-present

Early Life and Career: Born María Cecilia Botero Cadavid in Medellin, Antioquia in Colombia. Studied anthropology before becoming an actress. Made her screen debut in 1971.

Movies and Cartoons: Encanto (2021)

Characters: “Abuela” Alma Madrigal

Also Known For: Colombian actress, television presenter, and journalist. TV appearances include La hipocondríaca, Las hermanitas Calle, La ley secreta, Enfermeras, Protagonistas de novela, and La venganza de Analia.

Personal Life: Sister of actress Ana Cristina Botero and niece of actress Dora Cadavid. Married to Argentine director David Stivel from 1983 to their divorce in 1992. They have a son named Mateo.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.

546. Jessica Darrow

Dates: 1995-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Miami, Florida. As a teenager, she watched Disney films and listened to songs written by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Attended and graduated from Rutgers University. First role was in the 2019 film Feast of the Seven Fishes.

Movies and Cartoons: Encanto (2021)

Characters: Luisa Madrigal

Also Known For: Actress and singer best known as Mikki Easton in Fifteen-Love. TV appearances include Blue Bloods, Hamster & Gretel, Monster High, The Residence, and Elsbeth.

Personal Life: Identifies as queer.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.

547. Angie Cepeda

Dates: 1974-present

Early Life and Career: Born Angélica María Cepeda Jiménez in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. Raised in Barranquilla. Lived with her mother and two older sisters after her parents divorced. Moved to Bogota after discovering her vocation in drama. While studying drama, a beer company contacted her with whom she later made advertisements for. She soon played bit parts in several Colombian soap operas and movies. Made her big break in 1997.

Movies and Cartoons: Encanto (2021)

Characters: Julieta Madrigal

Also Known For: Colombian actress best known for the telenovela Pobre Diabla along with the films Captain Pantoja and the Special Services and Love in the Time of Cholera. Film appearances include Ilona Ilega con la Iluvia, Panteleon y las visitadoras, El destino no tiene favoritos, Suddenly Paradise, Love for Rent, Oculto, El Muerto, With or Without Love, Heleno, A Night in Old Mexico, The Vanished Elephant, Wild Horses, The Seed of Silence, Kill Chain, and Astronauta. TV appearances include Candela, Las Juanas, Vientos de agua, Los protegidos, 2091, and Halo.

Personal Life: Younger sister of Lorna Paz Cepeda.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.

548. Carolina Gaitán

Dates: 1984-present

Early Life and Career: Born Carolina del Pilar Gaitán Lozano in Villavicencio, Colombia. Studied at the Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute in New York.

Movies and Cartoons: Encanto (2021)

Characters: Pepa Madrigal

Also Known For: Colombian actress and singer who’s starred as lead roles in Celia, Sin Senos Si Hay Paradiso and Narcos. As a singer, she’s lent her voice to many TV theme songs and has an album with songs she composed herself that combines the sounds of various topical currents empowering Latin women with salsa, son, and bolero. Was also a background singer for “This Is Me” in The Greatest Showman. TV appearances include Isa TK+, La Diorsa Coronada, Flor Salvaje, Hermanitas Calle, and Rojo carmes.

Personal Life: Married to Nicolas Moreno since 2015.

Later Life: Is currently a judge on X Factor Colombia.

Trivia: Has received 2 Premios Tu Mundo from Telemundo.

549. Diane Guerrero

Dates: 1987-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Passaic, New Jersey to undocumented Colombian immigrants. Raised in Boston, Massachusetts. Was the only member of her family to with American citizenship who chose to remain in the United States at 14 when her parents older brother were deported back to Colombia after unsuccessfully pursuing legal citizenship. Was later raised in Roxbury and Jamaican Plain after being taken in by other Colombian families. Attended Boston Arts Academy, a performing arts high school where she was in the music department and sang in a jazz group. Although she pursued political science and communications in college with her first job being in a law office. In 2010 at 24, Guerrero decided to pursue an acting career, appearing in a Lou Bello music video that same year. In 2011, she moved to New York City and studied acting at the Susan Batson Studios where she met her manager Josh Taylor. Made her big break in 2012 in Orange Is the New Black.

Movies and Cartoons: Encanto (2021) as well as the series Elena of Avalor.

Characters: Isabela Madrigal

Also Known For: Actress best known as Maritza Ramos in Orange Is the New Black, Lina in Jane the Virgin, and Jane in Doom Patrol. Film appearances include My Man Is a Loser, Peter and John, Happy Yummy Chicken, Killerman, and Blast Beast. TV appearances include Body of Proof, Are We There Yet?, Blue Bloods, Person of Interest, Superior Donuts, Dora and Friends: Into the City!, Harvey Girls Forever!, Legends of Tomorrow, and The Eric Andre Show.

Personal Life: Can’t find anything about her personal life.

Later Life: Because of what happened to her family Guerrero is a strong advocate for immigration reform. She even wrote a book called In the Country We Love: My Family Divided, a memoir about her family being detained and deported. Volunteers and is an ambassador for the Immigration Legal Resource Center, a non-profit organization aiming to educate people about issues in the immigrant community. Has also become a board member of Mi Familia Vota, a national nonprofit organization seeking to engage communities for social justice. In 2015, she was named one of the Presidential Ambassadors for Citizenship and Naturalization by President Barack Obama.

Trivia: In 2018, she received “Lupe Ontiveros Indomitable Spirit Award” by the National Hispanic Media Coalition for her commitment to advocacy and increasing the visibility of the Latino community’s achievements and contributions in the United States. That same year, she was also recognized at the 2018 Phillip Burton Immigration & Civil Rights Awards for her advocacy for immigrants. Has received 3 Screen Actors Guild Awards.

550. Rhenzy Feliz

Dates: 1997-present

Early Life and Career: Born in the Bronx, New York City to a single mother. Soon moved and grew up in Miami, Florida. After his mother remarried, he moved to Los Angeles and attended Santa Monica High School where he majored in drama and gained an interest in it. He and his team were finalists in the 2016 August Wilson Monologue Competition and The Music Center’s Spotlight program where he gained recognition. Landed to role of Alex Wilder for Runaways in 2017.

Movies and Cartoons: Encanto (2021)

Characters: Camilo Madrigal

Also Known For: Actor best known as Alex Wilder in the Marvel Cinematic Universe series Runaways and Victor Aguilar in The Penguin. Film appearances include All Together Now and The Tender Bar. TV appearances include Casual, Teen Wolf, Kevin (Probably) Saves the World, and American Horror Stories.

Personal Life: Can’t find anything about his personal life.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.