Dean Zayas Pereira (October 17, 1938 – February 3, 2022) was a Puerto Rican actor, director, playwright, author, poet, dramatic arts professor, and television show host. He directed some of Puerto Rico's best known telenovelas, such as Cristina Bazán, Coralito and Tanairi among others. Zayas was a catedràtic at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, for over 50 years.