A native of San Jose, California, De Soto grew up in a Mexican-American family of nine and earned a double major in Spanish literature and drama at San Jose State University, where she performed with the Light Opera Company. She debuted in The In-Laws (1979) and soon after appeared in Cannery Row (1982), receiving the Golden Eagle Award for Best Actress for The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez. Televisio…
