Hollywood’s Most Successful Hispanic and Latina Actresses

Salma Hayek

Salma Hayek is a Mexican-American actress, producer, and director who broke barriers in the late 20th century to become one of the first actresses of Latina descent to establish a successful career in the US film industry. Hayek was born on September 2, 1966, in Veracruz, Mexico by a Spanish mother and Lebanese father. She grew up in Mexico but later attended a Catholic school in Louisiana where she lived with her aunt during her teenage years.

Hayek went back to Mexico City for university, but after a brief stint she dropped out to pursue an acting career. In 1989, Salma was noticed by Mexican television producers who gave her a role in a Mexican soap opera.

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In 1991, Hayek decided to move on to Los Angeles to pursue her film career. After a few small roles, Hayek finally landed her first significant role in a Hollywood blockbuster film called Desperado alongside Antonio Banderas. She went on to star in many other top rated Hollywood films such as From Dusk Till Dawn, Dogma, Frida among others. Her performance in Frida earned her an Academy Award for best actress.

Hayek made her directorial debut in 2003 with her television movie The Maldonado Miracle which earned her an Emmy Award. Hayek has acted, directed and produced multiple Hollywood films and TV series, and she continues to do so to date.

You might recognize Salma Hayek due to her roles in:

• Frida
• Desperado
• Wild Wild West