[1] She was of Puerto Rican, Sicilian, and Cuban descent[4][5] and proud of her Native American ancestry.

[6] Gallardo's television credits include episodes of Monsters (American TV series), Starsky & Hutch, Lou Grant, Quincy, Hill Street Blues, Cagney & Lacey, Kojak, Falcon Crest, Trapper John, M.D., The Golden Girls, Knots Landing, MacGyver, L.A. Law, Babylon 5, ER and NYPD Blue.

She also appeared in films including Windwalker, Death Wish II, and Silence of the Heart.

She taught and coached some of Hollywood's biggest stars, including Angelina Jolie, Keanu Reeves, Billy Drago and Peta Wilson.

[7] While residing in Paris, Kentucky, Gallardo died on January 2, 2012, at Jewish Hospital, Louisville.