Cara Santana, an actress, activist, and director, has carved a unique niche with her versatile talent in both comedy and drama. A classically trained performer from the Idyllwild Arts Academy, Santana honed her craft with training in the Stanislavski, Uta Hagen, and Meisner methods. 

Most recently, Santana starred in DAUGHTER OF THE BRIDE, for MarVista Entertainment, opposite Academy Award winning actress, Marcia Gay Harden. From previous roles in network sitcoms like THE NEIGHBORHOOD to the independent film BE THE LIGHT, where she was honored with film festival accolades, Santana continues to demonstrate her ability to master both sharp and comedic timing while delivering emotionally resonating performances. Her roles in the critically acclaimed Starz series VIDA, Fox’s SALEM and Netflix’s SANTA CLARITA DIET showcase her seamless adaptability as a performer. 

Behind the camera, Santana is expanding her reach by developing her own projects. She is currently directing the documentary film THE SHUFFLE, which exposes corruption in the rehabilitation industry. Additionally, she wrote and is working to develop a feature film titled STEPS, based on true events that depict the intertwined lives of six people struggling with addiction and their journey to recovery over three decades. Santana is also producing and developing a dark comedy series that dives into the world of Instagram-based prostitution.

As an activist, Santana has returned to her hometown of El Paso to visit the border and advocate for immigration reform and continues to support organizations including UNICEF, The Art of Elysium, and El Paso’s Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center.

Santana has made a significant impact in the social media space, by collaborating with brands like L’Oreal Paris, Armani Beauty, and American Express, using her growing digital presence and authenticity to raise awareness in the realms of fashion, beauty, lifestyle, art, and advocacy.