Eva Longoria Asks Film Grads To Look To Rita Moreno As A Guiding Light

LOS ANGELES, CA (CBS SF/AP) — Eva Longoria has some advice for the new graduates of the American Film Institute: Use Rita Moreno as a guiding light to use myriad points of view.

Longoria presented the legendary stage and screen actress with an honorary doctorate of fine arts Wednesday in Los Angeles.

The 84-year-old and Bay Area resident, Moreno recalled her discouraging early days in Hollywood where she was called on by studios to play any and every ethnicity. She called them "dusky maiden roles."

Yet, Moreno said, that those directors and studios "could not succeed in drowning this Puerto Rican." She of course would rise above that early stereotyping, winning Emmys, a Grammy, Tony and Oscar.

Director Quentin Tarantino also received an honorary degree.

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