Latinos have been a vital part of Hollywood since the silent movie era. As the times changed so did Latinos and their contributions to the movie world. International stars emerged from various Latin American countries and from the US. Their Spanish surnames at first where changed, such as Rita Hayworth or were exotic enough to pull off stardom in Hollywood, like a Carmen Miranda. These famous Latina movie stars were followed by Maria Felix, the iconic actress of the golden age of Mexican cinema who refused to accept Hollywood's offers and Katy Jurado in High Noon and their films. The decades and times progressed as Rita Moreno broke ground in West Side Story and Raquel Welsh broke hearts with her fabulous looks. From J-Lo to Penelope Cruz, here is a list of famous Latina movie stars, in alphabetical order, and their accomplishments.
Penelope Cruz
Penelope Cruz is a rare combination of bombshell looks and acting prowess. She made her film debut in the 1992 film Belle Epoque, when she was sixteen. Cruz often collaborated with fellow Spaniard, director Pedro Almodovar. This cinematic union has creative a string of incredible films such as All About my Mother and Broken Embraces. Cruz gained world wide recognition in Almodovar's Volver (2006.) when she received a Best Actor nomination, the first ever for a Spanish actress. In 2009, Cruz won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona, becoming the first Spanish-born actress to win an Oscar. In 2010 Cruz received a third nomination for her supporting role in the musical Nine.
Maria Felix
Maria Felix is simply the greatest Mexican actress to date. From the 40' up till the 70's, Feliz work Internationally and had fame in Europe and Latin America. Felix starred in films such as Dona Barbara and Enamorada in Mexico and Sonatas in Spain. Felix flexed her international appeal in France in Jean Renoir's French Canan and other impressive work in Italy as well. Felix was in such demand that when Hollywood finally answered she would not take small or stereotypical roles. Composers created songs about, designers such as Christian Dior dressed here, she was a true international star till her passing at the age of 88.
Rita Hayworth
With 61 films done over a 37 year span, Rita Hayworth was a star for the ages. Born to a Spanish father, her birth name was Margarita Carmen Cansino. Her films included Cover Girl with Gene Kelly, Blood and Sand and Gilda that cemented her title as a sex symbol. Considered by the American Film
Institute as one of the Greatest Stars of All Time, Rita Hayworth fought the Latina stereotype of the time and those of women in film and refused to do nudity.
Jennifer Lopez
From film to fashion, music to dance, Jennifer Lopez or "J-lo" has done it all. She was the first Latina actress to command a million dollar paycheck for her Golden Globe nominated performance in Selena (1997). Other successful films include Maid in Manhattan, the Wedding Planner and Monster in Law with Jane Fonda. With a worldwide top selling fashion and perfume line, and several number one recording albums, Jennifer Lopez, from New York of Puerto Rican parents, is according to Forbes magazine "The richest person of Latin American descent in Hollywood ."
Carmen Miranda
Carmen Miranda known around the world for her fruit top hats, jewelry and samba dancing was a really an early Hollywood pioneer for Latinas. From 1940 to 1953 Miranda made 14 films and in 1946 was Hollywood's highest paying actor. From Brazil, Miranda's images and songs are still emulated to this day.
Rita Moreno
Rita Moreno known around the world for her Oscar winning performance of Anita in The West Story (1961), is the only Latino to win four of of top industry awards, the fore mentioned Oscar, an Emmy, a Tony and a Grammy. She made for dancing debut on Broadway when she was 13. Her other
films of note included Singing in the Rain, Carnal Knowledge and Pinero. Rita was born in Puerto Rico and raised in New York City.
Paul Saucido - Saucido writes about music, culture, martial arts, movies and such. He has written about Latin music since the mid 90's for LA Weekly, La ...
Join the Conversation