# Sara Ramirez
**Sara Ramirez** (born 1975) is a Mexican-American actress and singer, born in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, who moved to the United States at age eight and graduated with a [Bachelor of Fine Arts](https://www.edgepedia.org/bachelor-of-fine-arts) from the [Juilliard School](https://www.edgepedia.org/juilliard-school)[1](https://www.sensacine.com.mx/actores/actor-113998/). She won the 2005 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical as the [Lady of the Lake](https://www.edgepedia.org/lady-of-the-lake) in *Monty Python's Spamalot*, and became widely known for playing Dr. Callie Torres on the ABC medical drama *Grey's Anatomy* for 11 seasons and 239 episodes[1](https://www.sensacine.com.mx/actores/actor-113998/) • [2](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Sara-Ramirez/).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1975, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico; moved to the United States at age eight[1](https://www.sensacine.com.mx/actores/actor-113998/) |
| Training | Graduate of the Juilliard School's Drama Division[1](https://www.sensacine.com.mx/actores/actor-113998/) • [2](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Sara-Ramirez/) |
| Broadway debut | Wahzinak in Paul Simon's *The Capeman*, original Broadway production, 1998[2](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Sara-Ramirez/) |
| Signature stage role | The Lady of the Lake in *Monty Python's Spamalot* (2005); Tony Award and Outer Critics Circle Award winner[2](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Sara-Ramirez/) |
| Signature TV role | Dr. Calliope "Callie" Torres on *Grey's Anatomy*, 11 seasons and 239 episodes[1](https://www.sensacine.com.mx/actores/actor-113998/) |
| Later TV roles | Kat Sandoval on *Madam Secretary* (2017–2019); Che Diaz on *And Just Like That...*[1](https://www.sensacine.com.mx/actores/actor-113998/) • [2](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Sara-Ramirez/) |
## Early life and training
Ramirez was born in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, and moved to the United States at the age of eight[1](https://www.sensacine.com.mx/actores/actor-113998/). She trained at the Juilliard School's Drama Division, from which she graduated[2](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Sara-Ramirez/).
## Broadway career
Ramirez made her Broadway debut as Wahzinak in [Paul Simon](https://www.edgepedia.org/paul-simon)'s *The Capeman*, in the original 1998 Broadway production[2](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Sara-Ramirez/). She followed it with *The Gershwins' Fascinating Rhythm* (1999), for which she received an Outer Critics Circle nomination for Best Actress, and played Felicia in the Broadway transfer of *A Class Act* (2001)[2](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Sara-Ramirez/). Off-Broadway she performed in *The Vagina Monologues* alongside [Tovah Feldshuh](https://www.edgepedia.org/tovah-feldshuh) and Suzanne Bertish[2](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Sara-Ramirez/).
**Spamalot and the Tony Award.** In 2005 Ramirez originated the role of the Lady of the Lake in the original Broadway production of *Monty Python's Spamalot*. She won both the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical for the role, and also took a BroadwayWorld Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical[2](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Sara-Ramirez/). Regional stage work includes *The Game* as the Marquise de Merteuil at the Barrington Stage Company, Anna Deavere Smith's *Piano* as Alicia, and *Barrio Babies* as Josie at the Denver Center[2](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Sara-Ramirez/).
## Television
Ramirez's best-known television role is Dr. Calliope "Callie" Torres on ABC's medical drama *Grey's Anatomy*. She appeared in 11 seasons and 239 episodes, and the character has been described as the longest-running LGBT character in the history of American television[1](https://www.sensacine.com.mx/actores/actor-113998/). After leaving that series she joined *Madam Secretary* as Kat Sandoval, a bisexual and non-binary character, from 2017 to 2019[1](https://www.sensacine.com.mx/actores/actor-113998/).
Her other television credits include *And Just Like That...* as Che Diaz, *As the World Turns* as Hannah and Valeri Meridez, two appearances on *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* as Lisa Perez and Mrs. Barrera, and guest roles on *Third Watch*, *[Spin City](https://www.edgepedia.org/spin-city)*, and *Welcome to New York*[2](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Sara-Ramirez/).
## Film and voice work
Ramirez's film appearances include *You've Got Mail* (1998) as the Zabar's cashier, *Washington Heights* (2002) as Belkis, *Spider-Man* (2002) as a cop at a carjacking, *Chicago* (2002) in the female ensemble, and *Going Under* (2004) as Lisa[2](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Sara-Ramirez/). She was a producer of the 2016 film *Loserville*[2](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Sara-Ramirez/).
In voice acting she has played Queen Miranda in the Disney animated series *Sofia the First* and its follow-up *[Sofia the First: Royal Magic](https://www.edgepedia.org/sofia-the-first-royal-magic)*, and voiced Amber in the 2024 animated series *Velma*[2](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Sara-Ramirez/). She also appeared in the 2024 audio series *Hot White Heist 2* as Tina[2](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Sara-Ramirez/).
## References
1. [Sara Ramirez – SensaCine.com.mx](https://www.sensacine.com.mx/actores/actor-113998/)
2. [Sara Ramirez (Actor) – Broadway & Theatre Credits, BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Sara-Ramirez/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of Latin America and Iberia › Mexican screen actors*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license