Norma Candal (born April 10, 1930 in Fajardo, Puerto Rico) is a Puerto Rican actress and comedian who is best known for her role as "Petunia".

Norma's family lived in the Fajardo Sugar Co. sugar plantation. Her father was the company's accountant. Norma participated in her first Christmas school play when she was 9 years old. She went to the "Colegio del Sagrado Corazon" (Sacred Heart Private School) in her hometown, where she obtained her primary and secondary education.

Norma enrolled in the University of the Sacred Heart where she earned her Bachelors Degree in Humanities. She was planning on a political career and was going to study political sciences but, she was granted a scholarship to the Catholic University of Washington where she earned her Masters Degree in Theater.

Norma returned to Puerto Rico upon graduating and in 1965 became the host of the television show "En Alas de la Imaginacion" (On the Wings of the Imagination) for WIPR T.V. Shortly after, she joined Tommy Muñiz Productions in Channel 4 WAPA T.V. It was during this period of time that Norma gained fame in Puerto Rico. She worked in the shows "Aquí con Norma" (Here with Norma); "El Show del Mediodía" (The Midday Show) and "La Criada Malcriada" (The Crazy Maid) where she played the comical role of "Petunia", a "simple minded" maid, a role that would give her fame. There was a strike against Tommy Muñiz Productions in 1970, which forced Norma to leave the show and join "ASTRA Productions" for which she did a couple of shows.

In 1980, Norma went to work for Cardinal Luis Aponte Martinez at the Cathedral of San Juan. In 1985, she returned to television and starred as Doña Tere in "La Pensión de Doña Tere" (Mrs. Tere Boarding House).

Norma Candal also participated in the Spanish version of the play "Steal Magnolias"; "The Letters of Mozart"; "The Old Maids of San Sebastian Street" and "Kisses on the Forehead". In 2004, she had a role in the movie "Díos los Cría" (God Created Them) directed by Jacobo Morales.

See also

• List of famous Puerto Ricans