Take a closer look at some of Hollywood's top-tier talent at the beginning of their careers.

Child Stars, Then and Now

Take a closer look at some of Hollywood&#39;s top-tier talent at the beginning of their careers.

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Bryan Cranston and Monique Candelaria in Breaking Bad (2008)

Monique Candelaria as 'Ranger Nova' in "Driftless"

Screenshot of Monique Candelaria in Lovecraft Country Episode 4 'History of Violence' as 'Yahima Maraocoti'.

2012 The Control Group; Monique Candelaria (Heather)

Monique Candelaria still shot while on "The Three Gibbets Crossroad - A Pillowman Story".

Monique Candelaria still shot while on "The Three Gibbets

Monique Candelaria in Bald Cap before getting a cast of her head for "Lovecraft Country".

Monique Candelaria in bald cap before making a cast of her head.

Monique Candelaria Head Cast Imprint for "Lovecraft Country".

Monique Candelaria and Leroy Silva pose for art project.

Monique Candelaria and Simone Gurule for Dia de Los Muertos.

Monique Candelaria on the set of "The Weeping" as La Llorona.

Monique Candelaria as Agent Alvarez waiting in her trailer to get onto the set of "Snatchers".

Monique Candelaria as Agent Alvarez in the makeup trailer.

Monique Candelaria behind the scenes of "Banshee Chapter".

Monique Candelaria, Simone Gurule and Tommy Flanagan behind the scenes on "The Wave".

Monique Candelaria getting a cast of her head for "Lovecraft Country".

Monique Candelaria getting a cast of her head for "Lovecraft Country ".

Monique Candelaria under the green goo for the casting of her head in "Lovecraft Country".

Monique Candelaria under all the green goo for the casting of her head for "Lovecraft Country ".

Monique Candelaria and Simone Gurule in trailer before heading to set on "The Wave".

Monique Candelaria with spiraled black and white contacts.

Monique Candelaria and Simone Gurule waiting in trailer to go to set on "The Wave".

Monique Candelaria with Simone Gurule behind the scenes of "The Wave".

Monique Candelaria, Simone Gurule and Tommy Flanagan in still shot taken from "The Wave" for Exclusive Entertainment.

Monique Candelaria still shot from "The Three Gibbets Crossroad - A Pillowman Story".

Monique Candelaria with Simone Gurule on the set of "The Three Gibbets Crossroad - A Pillowman Story".

Monique Kathleen Candelaria was born February 11th, 1987 in Albuquerque, New Mexico to Carla Bernadette Castillo and David Robert Candelaria. Soon after she was born her father joined the army and they moved to Bremerhaven, Germany where her brother, David A. Candelaria, was born. Monique also has 2 half brothers (twins), Ivan and Nathan Del Curto, which are a year younger than her.

After her father suffered from a brain aneurysm, making him a 100% disabled veteran, her family returned to New Mexico and her love for the arts began to flourish. As a child around the age of 7 she began singing in weddings and funerals. Realizing that singing is her security blanket she never pursued music as a career but kept it in her life as a passionate hobby. At 15 years old she became a dancer for a local television show in Albuquerque called, "Dance, Dance, Dance it's a Teen Thing". In 2009 she graduated from the University of New Mexico with a B.A. in Theatre emphasis in Acting.

The first film she was officially cast in was a 1940's New Mexican period piece called _Bless me, Ultima (2013)_ directed by 'Carl Franklin' in 2010. Her most recognizable role was Lucy, the Denny's waitress from _"Breaking Bad" {Live Free or Die (#501} (2012-2013) (TV)_. However, her 1st lead role was in a feature film was _The Control Group (2014)_ starring Brad Dourif. A couple of years later she was cast in her 2nd lead role in the film _Cents (2016)_ as the character Angela Baca who struggles with being a single mother raising a mathematical genius.

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Monique Candelaria

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