Sara Elena Ramirez is a Mexican-American actor, singer, and activist.
Born in Mexico in 1975, Ramirez moved to the US at age eight. After graduating from Juilliard, Ramirez embarked on a career in acting, landing roles in broadway productions such as in Paul Simon’s The Capeman (1998) and Monty Python’s Spamalot (2005), for which they won a Tony Award for their portrayal of the Lady of the Lake. During this same time, Sara made the shift into television and film.
Ramirez gained wider acclaim and recognition for playing the bi character Dr. Callie Torres in the long-running medical drama Grey’s Anatomy (2005–) for 11 seasons. Sara has appeared in more than 25 movies and shows in roles big and small, including You’ve Got Mail (1998), Spider-Man (2002), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999–), Sofia the First (2012–2018), and the Sex and the City reboot And Just Like That… (2021–), in which they play Miranda’s new lover.
Ramirez also played Kat Sandoval, the spirited bi policy advisor on the CBS political drama Madam Secretary (2014–2019).
In addition to acting, Ramirez is very active as a television personality. They have been a guest on various award shows such as the Tony Awards, the NAACP Awards, and the GLAAD Media Awards, as well as programs such as The Oprah Winfrey Show (1986–2011), The View (1997–), Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003–), Rachel Ray (2006–2023), The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (2005–2015), Live with Kelly and Mark (1988–), the Today show (1952–), and 16 appearances on Entertainment Tonight (1981–).
In 2009, Ramirez released their first single, a version of the song “Silent Night” they’d sung in an episode of Grey’s Anatomy. The track went on to become part of their debut self-titled extended play released in 2011. The EP hit number 37 on the Billboard 200 and number nine on Billboard’s Independent Albums chart. Ramirez also contributed to the soundtracks for Monty Python’s Spamalot (2005) and Grey’s Anatomy: The Music Event (2011).
In a 2016 speech at the 40 to None Summit, Ramirez came out as bisexual and queer, and as nonbinary in a 2020 Instagram post.
Ramirez has been an outspoken activist and LGBT rights campaigner. They sit on the board of directors for True Colors United, The Task Force, and the New York, San Francisco, and San Diego LGBT Centers. Ramirez has also expressed her support for various bisexual foundations including the American Institute for Bisexuality, Bi.org’s parent organization. They were awarded the Ally for Equality Award by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation in 2015.