The daughter of Cuban and Puerto Rican parents, Santiago's family moved from the Bronx to Homestead, Florida, when she was 13.
Saundra attended the University of Miami on a scholarship, majoring in psychology. As a University of Miami student, she became interested in acting. After graduation, she went on to post-graduate study in theater and arts at Southern Methodist University, eventually earning a master's degree.
She is best known for her role as Detective Gina Calabrese on the hit 1980s television show Miami Vice. She spent three years playing the role of crime boss Carmen Santos on the long-running CBS soap opera Guiding Light. Coincidentally, she appeared simultaneously in a recurring role on The Sopranos as Tony Soprano's next door neighbor, Jeannie Cusamano, and as her twin sister, Joan.
One Life to Live
Isabella Santi/Angelina Parades
Summer 2004
Guiding Light
Carmen Santos
January 1999 to June 6, 2000; November 10, 13 and 14, 2000; August 10, 2001 to January 2, 2003
The Sopranos
Jean Cusamano
1999
To Sir With Love 2
1996
Deadline for Murder: From the Files of Edna Buchanan
Rosinha Zulueta
1995
New York Undercover
Juanita
April 13, 1995
The Cosby Mysteries
Amy Flusser
1994
With Hostile Intent
1993
Law & Order
Sandra Alvaro
November 18, 1992
Miami Vice
Detective Gina Navarro Calabrese
1984
The Promise
Lourdes
2006
Threads
Franca Fortuna
2002
Hi-Life
Elena
1998
Nick and Jane
Stephanie
1997
Carlito's Way
1993
Beat Street
1984
End of August
Mariequita
1982
Smile
A View From the Bridge
Bedfellows
The Young Girl and the Monsoon
Spike Heels
Evita
PLACE OF BIRTH: Bronx, New York
DATE OF BIRTH: April 13, 1957
HAIR: Black
EYES: Brown
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Miami and a Masters of Fine Arts from Southern Methodist University.
MARITAL STATUS: Married musician, Roger Squintero, on November 21, 1999
