Salma Hayek

Salma Hayek was born on September 2, 1966 in Coatzacoalcos, Mexico. Her father is of Lebanese descent and her mother is of Mexican/Spanish ancestry. After having seenWilly Wonka (1971)in a local movie theater, she decided she wanted to become an actress. At age 12, she was sent to the Academy of the Sacred Heart in New Orleans, Louisiana. After attending Mexico City's prestigious university Universidad Iberoamericana, she felt ready to pursue acting seriously.

She soon landed the title role inTeresa (1989),a hugely successful soap opera which earned her the star status in her native Mexico. However, anxious to make films and to explore her talent as well as passion, she left both Teresa (1989) and Mexico in 1991. Heartbroken fans spread rumors that she was having a secret affair with Mexico's president and left to escape his wife's wrath. She made her way to Los Angeles. She approached Hollywood with naive enthusiasm and quickly learned that Latina actresses were typecast as the mistress maid or local prostitute. By late 1992, she had landed only small roles. She appeared onStreet Justice (1991),The Sinbad Show (1993),Nurses (1991),and as a sexy maid onDream On (1990).She also had only one line inMi vida loca (1993).Feeling under-appreciated by Anglo filmmakers, she vented her frustrations onPaul Rodriguez's late-night Spanish-language talk show.

Robert Rodriguezand his wifeElizabeth Avellanhappened to be watching and were immediately smitten with her. He soon gave her big break -- to star oppositeAntonio Banderasin the cult classicDesperado (1995),bringing her into Hollywood prominence. The moviegoers were as dazzled with her as he had been. Afterwards, she was cast again by Rodriguez to star in the cult classicFrom Dusk Till Dawn (1996).Her first star billing came later that year withFools Rush In (1997)oppositeMatthew Perry.It was a modest hit and her star continued to rise in both commercial and films such asBreaking Up (1997)with an unknownRussell Crowe,54 (1998),Dogma (1999)andIn the Time of the Butterflies (2001),the small artistic film which won her an ALMA award as best actress and the summer blockbusterWild Wild West (1999).Her production company Ventanarosa produced the Mexican feature filmEl coronel no tiene quien le escriba (1999),which was shown at the Cannes Film Festival and selected as Mexico's official Oscar entry for best foreign film.

The new millennium started out quietly as she prepared to produce and star in her dream role ofFrida Kahlo,the legendary Mexican painter whom she had been admiring her entire life and whose story she wanted to bring to the big screen ever since she arrived in Hollywood.Frida (2002)was full of passion and enthusiasm, with performances from her andAlfred Molinaas Kahlo's cheating husbandDiego Rivera.It also featured an entourage of stars such asAntonio Banderas,Ashley Judd,Geoffrey Rush,Edward NortonandValeria Golino.

It was a box office hit and was nominated for six Academy Awards, including best actress for Hayek. It won awards for make-up and score byElliot Goldenthal.Later that year, she expanded her horizons, directingThe Maldonado Miracle (2003),which was shown at the Sundance Film Festival. In 2003, she starred in the finale of Rodriguez's Desperado trilogyOnce Upon a Time in Mexico (2003),again opposite Banderas. She also starred inAfter the Sunset (2004)oppositePierce Brosnan,andAsk the Dust (2006)oppositeColin Farrell.She then starred inBandidas (2006),which also featuredPenélope Cruz,andLonely Hearts (2006)oppositeJared Leto.