Jossara Jinaro(1973-2022)

Jossara Jinaro, described in the Latin media as the "strong, smart, and sexy ultimate woman," was the love child of two Maoists in South America. She was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and when her Mother married a Colombian diplomat she moved to Colombia. As a little girl she loved to watch movies. Her favorite was "Gilda" because she loved Rita Hayworth as the night club dancing dame. Jossara always dreamed of being just like her. Samba and salsa rhythms pulled Jossara onto the stage. She began dancing at the age of 5 and by the time she was 8 she did her first play. Her Step-Father was held hostage by the guerrilla and soon after he was released her family sought safety in the United States.

She fully learned English at the age of 15 and soon found herself caught between a traditional Latin Family and her new American identity. She decided to leave home at the age of 16 and pursue her artistic dreams. Her first professional gig was singing and dancing at the theme park Old Indiana Fun Park where everybody recognized her as the girl playing Janet Jackson. This love for singing and dancing got her in a BFA musical theatre program that fall. She graduated top of her class and was recognized as the best actress and most likely to succeed. She got her first agent in Chicago and started working professionally right away. Chicago reviewers referred to her as "dynamic and versatile, the ultimate chameleon," "a classic beauty who fills the stage with heat, passion, and intensity."

Jossara left Chicago to play Rene, the seductress in "Dark Rapture," at the American Conservatory Theatre. An agent approached her after her opening night and asked her to come to Los Angeles. Once she arrived in LA she was soon snatched up by Columbia Tri-Star to play the beautiful and funny Virginia Bustos in the Alma nominated sitcom "Viva Vegas." Since then, Jossara has fought for and been very fortunate to play strong, positive and non-traditional roles for Latinas.

After making her network debut recurring on Judging Amy as Cheech Marin's smart and driven activist daughter, she got the attention of Emmy-Award winning director/producer Christopher Chulack, who cast her on ER and later opposite Simon Baker on Smith. The storyline of her role on "Passions," as Rae, the strong and sexy club owner, was nominated for the 2006 GLAAD award. She went back to Colombia in 2009 to work on the Novela La Bella Ceci y El Imprudente and returned to Hollywood to work on the new series East Los High.

Her biggest love is the film world. So much so that she began to produce her own projects. A budding filmmaker with critically-acclaimed shorts and a feature that was accepted into Panavision's new filmmaker's program. She's made the film festival rounds with award-winning films like Desert Road Kill which garnered her a best supporting Actress award. You may have also seen her in "Devil's Rejects," a Rob Zombie Film, "Havoc," with Anne Hathaway, "TenTricks," with Leah Thompson, "Fly Boys," with Stephen Baldwin, Oliver Stone's "World Trade Center," opposite Maggie Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena, and recently in Lion Gate's urban hip-hop movie "Go For It!" as Loli, the queen bee of the dance floor.

Jossara still loves to do live theatre. Most recently she was the female lead in "Firehouse" from consulting producer Academy Award winner Robert Moresco and in "The Birthday Present" directed by Academy Award winner Jonathan Sanger.