Norma Marina del Villar Silva (born 5 November 1939), known professionally as Norma Lazareno, is a Mexican actress. She established herself as a scream queen through her appearances in Mexican horror films.
Among her most notable works include her roles in the films: Hasta el viento tiene miedo (1968), María Isabel (1968), La horripilante bestia humana (1969), El Libro de piedra (1969), La muñeca perversa (1969), Fray Don Juan (1970), Rapiña (1975) and Las tres tumbas (1980).
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Life and career
Around 1978, she married actor and comedian Pablo Ferrel. Together, they had a daughter, Paulina Lazareno, born in 1977. Ferrel and Lazareno separated in the 1980s but never formally divorced. Despite living apart, they shared the responsibility of raising their daughter, who decided to pursue a career as an actress as she grew up.
In 1991, she starred alongside Gonzalo Vega in the political satire La señora presidenta; the production was a huge success and ran for seven years, concluding in 1998. However, amidst the success she enjoyed during that time, her personal life suffered a devastating blow; on June 28, 1997, her daughter Paulina died in a car accident at the age of 19. This tragedy left a deep mark on her, as she was unable to recover for several years, until she finally found solace by immersing herself in her professional life and learned to cope with her grief—without ever forgetting her daughter.
Focusing her career on theater, she remained active in 2025 thanks to Los huevos de mi madre—a musical comedy she had been co-starring in with actor Fernando Botero since 2022—which they performed in various states across Mexico. That same year, Mujer de otro tiempo premiered, a TV movie made in collaboration with the streaming platform Canela TV.
Filmography
Film
Yo también soy Marilyn (2012) - Tia Begoña
El estudiante (2009) - Alicia
La hacienda del terror (2005)
La tregua (2003) - Rosa
El verdugo (2003)
Todo contigo (2002) - Doña Carmen
Religión, la fuerza de la costumbre (2000)
En las manos de Dios (1996)
Ataque salvaje (1995)
Ansiedad asesina (1992) - Begoña Mayorial
Jóvenes delincuentes (1991)
Deliciosa sinvergüenza (1990) - Madre superiora
Marcados por el destino (1990) - Gloria
El pozo del diablo (1990)
Señoritas a disgusto (1989) - María
Me llaman violencia (1989)
Entre picudos te veas (1989)
Pero sigo siendo el rey (1988)
Para que dure no se apure (1988)
El último triunfo (1988) - Doña Juanita
El tráiler asesino (1986)
Gavilán o paloma (1985)
Los pepenadores de acá (1985) - Rutila
Televisión
La mexicana y el güero (2021) - Doña Crucita Rojas
Simplemente María (2015-2016) - Olivia Aparicio Vda. de Bazaine
Gossip Girl Acapulco (2013) - Cecilia 'Ceci' López-Haro
Libre para amarte (2013) - María Teresa Lascurain
Estrella2 (2013)
Porque el amor manda (2012-2013) - Tracy Rodríguez
Como dice el dicho (2011-2015) - Leonor / Alicia / Dalia
La rosa de Guadalupe (2008-2013) - Esperanza / Catita / Rosario / Laila
Hasta que el dinero nos separe (2009-2010) - Rosario Álvarez del Castillo
Destilando amor (2007) - Nuria Toledo de Duarte
Niña amada mía (2003) - Judith Alcázar de Rincón del Valle
¡Vivan los niños! (2002-2003) - Adelina
Carita de ángel (2000-2001)
Por tu amor (1999) - Adelaida Zambrano
Preciosa (1998) - Regina de la Diva
El secreto de Alejandra (1997-1998) - Paulina
No tengo madre (1997) - Margarita Malpica
Mujer, casos de la vida real (1996-2001)
Theater
Extraños en un tren (2016)
La familia real
Cómo envejecer con gracia
Los árboles mueren de pie
Ciego amor
Esta monja ¡No!
Sueña
Algo pasó (1988-1989)
