Latino stars turn out to honor Rita Moreno and others at 30th annual Imagen Awards

The 30th Annual Imagen awards brought together dozens of Latino celebrities — including actors Edward James Olmos, America Ferrera and Roselyn Sanchez — to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on Friday night to honor positive portrayals of Latinos in media. The night’s top honoree was long-time actor and singer Rita Moreno, who received the Imagen Foundation’s Legacy Award for the track record she has established as an entertainer over a more than half a century.

The awards also honored the films, television series and actors that best portrayed Latinos and the Latino experience. “McFarland, USA,” which told the story of the unlikely rise of a team of Mexican American cross-country athletes in rural California, took home the trophy for best picture.

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Best actor went to comedian George Lopez for his role in “Spare Parts,” about a group of Latino students who take top honors at a robotics competition, despite only having a budget of $800. Best actress went to Zoe Saldana for her role in the animated Day of the Dead flick, “The Book of Life.”

Other honorees included actor Gael García Bernal for his role in the online classical music series “Mozart in the Jungle,” and Gina Rodriguez for her work in the comedy “Jane the Virgin.”

But the awards weren’t just about Hollywood glitz. Every year, the Imagen Foundation also honors people making a difference in the community, such as Father Gregory Boyle, the founder of the charitable company Homeboy Industries. He was the recipient of a President’s Award.