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American actress

Ilka Tanya Payán (January 7, – April 6, ) was a Dominican-born actress and attorney who later became a prominent HIV/AIDS activist in the United States.

Early life

Payán was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and immigrated to the United States at the age of thirteen, settling permanently in New York City.

Acting career

She became widely recognized for her role in the Spanish-language telenovelaAngelica, Mi Vida ("Angelica, My Life").

It was from her role on this serial that provided Payán with the experience to move on to bigger roles in Hollywood with a small role in the film Scarface, and a guest role on the television series Hill Street Blues.

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Prior to these roles, she had worked in local theatrical and television projects in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Spain.

She also worked hard to encourage New York's Latino theater community. She was a founder of the Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA),