By Bel Hernandez
Twenty years ago the most visible Latino actors in Hollywood were Andy Garcia and Salma Hayek. However the term “Latina/o Super Stars” of modern day would not materialize until the mid ‘90s when Cameron Diaz starred in Mask and became the highest visible Latina actress (however she did not consider herself a Latina). So the title of the first modern day Latina Super Star goes to Jennifer Lopez, the first Latina to earn a million dollars for a role. It was the title role of Gregory Nava’s biopic Selena, based on the life and death of Tejano music legend Selena. The Latina/o Super Star was re-born. Number one on the star Internnet Movie Database (IMDB) list on April 1st was Rosario Dawson, who heads off our list. And yes, the women were the highest trenders — in order of IMDB STARmeter — here is our list:
Rosario Dawson Actor/Activist/Writer/Producer IMDB STARmeter: 233
Bio: Rosario Dawson was born in New York to a Puerto Rican/Afro-Cuban mother and a Native American/Irish father. Dawson was discovered sitting on a stoop in her neighborhood by screenwriter Harmony Korine and director Larry Clark who immediately cast her in the gritty, controversial teen drama, Kids kick starting her career. Dawson went on to star in such projects as 25th Hour, Men in Black II, Grind House and Alexander. She has a successful voice-over career and recently published her own comic book miniseries. On stage, she co-starred as “Julia” in a revival of Two Gentlemen of Verona at the Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park and appeared in The Vagina Monologues. Appearing in both indie and major studio films and on the stage, Dawson mesmerizes.
Net Worth: $16 million Credit Highlights: Sin City, Men in Black II, Alexander, and Eagle Eye; Seven Pounds Current Projects: Chavez; They Die By Dawn; Gimmie Shelter (Post Prod.); Sin City: A Dame To Kill For (Post Prod.); Queen of the Night (Post Prod.); Parts Per Billion (Post Prod.); O.C.T.: Occult Crimes Taskforce (In Devel.)
Zoe Saldaña Actor/Producer/Director/Fashionista IMDB STARmeter: 315
Bio: Born in New Jersey and raised in Queens, New York. At 10 years old, her family moved to the Dominican Republic where Zoe trained as a ballerina at the prestigious ECOS Espacio de Danza Dance Academy. At 17, Zoe moved back to the States where her dance training came in handy. Her first big screen role was as “Eva Rodriguez,” the talented and headstrong ballet dancer in the film Center Stage (2000). Through her talent she has gained the respect and praise from industry insiders, among them Jerry Bruckheimer, Steven Spielberg, and Tom Hanks. Known for her acting talent, classic looks and fashionista style, Zoe is now also producing.
Net Worth: $8 Million Credit Highlights: Colomibana,Star Trek, Pirates of the Caribbean and Avatar, Vantage Point. Current Projects: Star Trek Into Darkness (Post Prod.); Blood Ties (Completed); Nina (Post Prod.); Out of the Furnace (Post Prod.); Infinitely Polar Bear (Filming); Guardians of the Galaxy (Announced); Avatar 2 (Rumored)
Jessica Alba
Jessica Alba Actor/Entrepreneur/Spokeswoman/Model IMDB STARmeter: 324
Bio: Born in Pomona, CA Jessica Alba’s family moved to Biloxi, Mississippi, when she was an infant. At age 12 after only one acting class she was signed by an agent. She has played a variety of roles ranging from light comedy to gritty drama since beginning her career. She made her feature film debut in 1993 in Hollywood Pictures’ comedy Camp Nowhere (1994). After guest starring in most of the popular TV shows, in 2000 she landed the title role in the sci-fi TV series Dark Angel that would secure her place in Hollywood royalty. A Golden Globe-nominated actress, Alba has easily navigated between blockbuster films and hit TV shows. A mother of two, Alba divides her time between acting, being a mom and entrepreneurship. She created The Honest Company an organization that helps moms identify what is best for their babies.
Net Worth: $20 million. Credit Highlights: The Fantastic Four, Valentine’s Day, Sin City, Little Frockers. Dark Angel (TV). Current Projects:Machete Kills; Sin City: A Dame to Kill For; How to Make Love Like an Englishman (Rumored)
Sofia Vergara Actor/Entrepreneur/Spokesperson/Producer IMDB STARmeter: 385
Bio: Sofía was born and raised in Barranquilla, Colombia to a well to do family. While studying pre-Dentistry at Colombia University, a photographer discovered her on the beach, which led to modeling and television work. She co-hosted a travel show, Fuera de serie (1995), for Univision – all with an eye on making the “crossover” into English-language TV. ABC put her under a holding deal. Her first film role was as one of three leads in the film Chasing Papi. Her breakthrough role was as “Gloria Delgado-Pritchett” in the American TV series, Modern Family. In 2011, she received an Emmy nomination for “Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series” for this role. In 2012 Vergara was named the highest paid actress in Hollywood by Forbes magazine, Vergara is the biggest crossover talent from Latin America in U.S. television history.
Net Worth: $27 million Credit Highlights: New Year’s Eve; Medea Goes to Jail; Meet the Browns; Soul Plane; Big Trouble (TV) Regular on: Hot Properties, The Knights of Prosperity Current Projects: Machete Kills, Fading Gigolo (Post Prod.), The Smurfs (Post Prod.); Heat Killer Woman (Exec. Prod – TV); Heat
Cameron Diaz Actor/Producer/Soundtrack IMDB STARmeter: 399
Bio: A tall, strikingly attractive blue-eyed blonde, Cameron Diaz hails from San Diego, CA. She is the daughter of Billie (Anglo-German) and Emilio Diaz (Cuban-American). She began modeling at 16 traveling the world. Her first film was as the female lead in her The Mask (1994) that grossed $343.9M worldwide. The Hollywood limelight has not stopped shining on her since. With her acting chops and comedic timing she is one of filmdom’s hottest properties and most sought after actresses. Diaz received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2009.
Net Worth: $90 million. Credit Highlights: Bad Teacher, What to Expect When you’re Expecting, There’s Something About Mary, Gangs of New York, Vanilla Sky, My Best Friend’s Wedding, Charlie’s Angels, and the voice for Shrek Current Projects: The Counselor (Post Prod); Agent: Century 21 (Pre-Prod); One Hit Wonders (Script); The Other Woman
Latino Stars Part 2 coming up next. Subscribe to Latin Heat (its free) HERE and Stay tuned.
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