Anita DeMarco is an inmate at Litchfield Penitentiary. She is portrayed by Lin Tucci.
Personality
DeMarco is kind to the new inmates that constantly pass through her cell, but also suffers no nonsense and can be seen to laugh at others' expense (eg. when Piper was served a tampon-sandwich by Red). She was particularly close to Miss Rosa before the latter's death, having bunked with her for many years.
Physical Appearance
DeMarco is a small, heavy-set, middle aged woman with short hair. She often wears a heavy amount of blue eye shadow.
Biography
Before Litchfield
Little is known about DeMarco's life before prison. She has a husband and at least one grandchild ("40 Oz. of Furlough"). Her cousin was killed and thrown into a river, causing her relative to go on a vicious killing spree ("Toast Can't Never Be Bread Again").
Arrival at Litchfield
DeMarco arrived at Litchfield around the same time as Red and Vee (although Vee stated she had been to Litchfield previously). DeMarco had a massive heart attack soon after coming to Litchfield. She began using a machine to help her breathe at night. Her health condition made her a permanent resident in the transfer cells along with Miss Rosa. She has essentially become part of the welcoming committee, helping new inmates adjust and prepare for life in prison.
DeMarco is generally seen congregating with Red's family.
DeMarco upon first arriving to Litchfield ("40 OZ of Furlough").
Season One
DeMarco is one of the older inmates, although not old enough to be considered one of the Golden Girls. She is among the inmates who first help Piper adjust to life in prison ("I Wasn't Ready").
Season Two
DeMarco reveals she has applied for furlough twice; once when her husband had open heart surgery and the second time for the birth of her first grandchild ("40 Oz. of Furlough).
Season Three
DeMarco was crushed when her long-time roommate Miss Rosa died. When Red moves into the transfer cells after her stint in the medical wing, DeMarco initially tries to keep her from using Miss Rosa's bunk. However, Red reassures her that Rosa is gone and everybody must move on, saying that Rosa wouldn't want to be remembered by that bunk as she hated it.
DeMarco later gets to enjoy time with her grandchild during the Mother's Day event at Litchfield ("Mother's Day").
DeMarco is one of the inmates who are obsessed with Suzanne Warren's sci-fi erotica, Time Hump Chronicles. She is also one of the inmates randomly chosen to work in the Whispers sweatshop.
Season Four
In Season Four, after the stop-and-frisks on the latina inmates begin, DeMarco tries to get frisked by CO Blake who she finds attractive. He knows DeMarco isn't a Spanish name, but Anita insists and gets frisked by Blake.
Season Five
N/A
Memoir
DeMarco is based on a real-life inmate whom Piper Kerman, the author of Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison, met in prison. Piper stated that she did in fact have a heart attack upon her arrival and uses a respiratory machine, like in the first episode of the show, and is depicted in Kerman's book as being of Italian descent.
DeMarco is also seen to be attracted to construction foreman Leon McDonald, and directs several lewd comments his way, which he pointedly disregards.
Gallery
Season 1
"I Wasn't Ready"
