Ana Alicia

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Ana Alicia (born Ana Alicia Ortiz on 12 December 1956 in Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico) is a Mexican-born actress, who moved to El Paso, Texas when she was a child. She is best known for her role as Jane Wyman's archenemy and Lorenzo Lamas's first wife, Melissa Agretti on the primetime soap opera Falcon Crest. She was sometimes credited on Falcon Crest as Ana-Alicia.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Biography

Upon graduating high school in 1973, Ortiz earned a scholarship to Wellesley College, but eventually left, instead pursuing her bachelor's degree in drama at the University of Texas at El Paso to be closer to her mother and siblings.^{[citation needed]}

After Ortiz earned her degree in 1977, she moved to Los Angeles and started auditioning for roles in various productions. Eventually, she won the part of Alicia Nieves on Ryan's Hope, moving to New York City temporarily for taping.^{[citation needed]}

After fifteen months on the serial, Ortiz moved back to Los Angeles part-time and kept auditioning while attending law school at Southwestern University at night back in Texas. Eventually, her acting opportunities suffered and she decided to pursue acting full-time.^{[citation needed]}

This decision led to a successful audition for Falcon Crest. Ortiz helped Melissa become the serial's "love to hate" character; she did what she wanted with little regard for others. Being a very lucrative role, she continued to play Melissa for seven years (1981 to 1988).^{[citation needed]}

In 1989, Ortiz appeared with Raúl Juliá in the movie Romero, her most successful film role to date. By and large, since then, Ortiz has decided to take a sabbatical from acting.^{[citation needed]}

Ortiz is also a favorite of fans of the horror movie Halloween II.^{[citation needed]}

Ortiz married Gary R. Benz on 24 April 1994. They have two children together.^{[citation needed]}