The Most Influential Latino Actresses of All Time

Latino actresses have shaped film and television across continents, opening doors in Hollywood and elevating Latin American cinema through unforgettable roles, barrier-breaking achievements, and industry-shifting advocacy. From Golden Age icons to today’s global headliners, their influence spans awards milestones, box-office records, and behind-the-camera leadership as producers and directors. Many helped internationalize Spanish- and Portuguese-language storytelling, while others became the face of mainstream franchises that reached billions of viewers. Together, they expanded opportunities on both sides of the camera and set new standards for representation that continue to ripple through the industry.

Rita Moreno

Rita Moreno is widely recognized as the first Latina performer to achieve EGOT status, earning competitive Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards. She won an Academy Award for her performance in ‘West Side Story’ and later returned to the property in a new role and as an executive producer on a modern adaptation. Moreno’s television work ranges from ‘The Electric Company’ to a celebrated remake of ‘One Day at a Time’. She has used her platform to advocate for equitable casting and Latinx visibility in American media.

Dolores del Río

Dolores del Río became one of the first Latin American actresses to become a Hollywood star, later returning to Mexico to help define its cinematic Golden Age. In the United States, she appeared in films like ‘Bird of Paradise’ and ‘Flying Down to Rio’. In Mexico, her collaborations with directors like Emilio Fernández produced classics such as ‘María Candelaria’. Her international career demonstrated that a Latina leading lady could succeed on both sides of the border.

Katy Jurado

Katy Jurado broke ground in Hollywood westerns and dramas, becoming the first Latina nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She earned a Golden Globe for her performance in ‘High Noon’, which brought her critical acclaim and broader recognition. Jurado frequently portrayed complex characters in both English- and Spanish-language productions. Her success helped dispel narrow casting expectations for Latina performers in the mid-20th century.

María Félix

María Félix emerged as a defining star of Mexico’s Golden Age of cinema, renowned for powerful roles and collaborations with major directors. Her filmography includes influential titles like ‘Doña Bárbara’ and ‘Enamorada’. Félix worked extensively in Mexico, Argentina, and Europe, expanding her impact beyond national cinema. Her screen presence and artistic partnerships helped elevate Mexican film on the world stage.

Carmen Miranda

Carmen Miranda, born in Portugal and raised in Brazil, became one of Hollywood’s most recognizable international stars. She popularized Brazilian music and dance in films such as ‘The Gang’s All Here’ while maintaining a successful recording and stage career. Miranda also served as a cultural ambassador during World War II through the U.S. Good Neighbor policy era. Her cross-media reach helped introduce Latin American rhythms and style to global audiences.

Lupe Vélez

Lupe Vélez was a Mexican actress who transitioned from silent films to sound cinema in Hollywood, known for the ‘Mexican Spitfire’ series. She headlined comedies and dramas that showcased her comedic timing and screen charisma. Vélez’s success in studio pictures made her one of early Hollywood’s prominent Latina stars. Her career opened doors for subsequent generations of Spanish-speaking actresses in American film.

Sônia Braga

Sônia Braga is a Brazilian actress whose international acclaim began with ‘Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands’ and continued with roles in ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’. She later earned widespread recognition for leading the acclaimed drama ‘Aquarius’. Braga’s career spans Brazilian television, Hollywood films, and independent cinema. Her body of work helped international audiences engage with contemporary Brazilian storytelling.

Fernanda Montenegro

Fernanda Montenegro is a towering figure in Brazilian theater and cinema who received a historic Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Her performance in ‘Central Station’ drew global attention to Brazilian film at the turn of the century. Montenegro’s decades-long career includes landmark stage and television roles that have influenced generations of performers. She remains a reference point for serious dramatic craft in Portuguese-language media.

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez built a rare multi-hyphenate career as a film star, recording artist, and producer. Her breakout portrayal of Selena Quintanilla in ‘Selena’ brought mainstream attention to a major Mexican-American cultural story. Lopez has led numerous box-office hits, including ‘Out of Sight’ and ‘Hustlers’, and created projects for Latinx talent through her production companies. She has also headlined global live events, expanding Latino representation in popular culture.

Salma Hayek Pinault

Salma Hayek earned an Academy Award nomination for portraying painter Frida Kahlo in ‘Frida’, a project she also produced. She co-founded production companies that developed English- and Spanish-language titles, including the series ‘Ugly Betty’. Hayek has appeared in a wide range of films, from dramas to major franchise entries like ‘Eternals’. Her behind-the-camera work has boosted opportunities for Latin American stories in mainstream markets.

Eva Longoria

Eva Longoria rose to prominence with ‘Desperate Housewives’ and transitioned into producing and directing across film and television. She has established initiatives that develop and finance projects by Latinx creators. Longoria’s feature directorial work includes ‘Flamin’ Hot’, and she has helmed episodes across multiple series. Her advocacy and industry programs have supported pipeline access for underrepresented talent.

Sofía Vergara

Sofía Vergara became one of television’s most recognizable stars through ‘Modern Family’, earning numerous award nominations. She has leveraged that visibility into producing roles and business ventures connected to entertainment. Vergara’s early work in Spanish-language media helped her cross over to U.S. network television. Her high-profile presence normalized Latina leads in mainstream sitcoms.

America Ferrera

America Ferrera won a Primetime Emmy for ‘Ugly Betty’, becoming one of the youngest performers to receive that honor in a lead comedy role. She later earned an Academy Award nomination for her supporting role in ‘Barbie’. Ferrera has produced series and documentaries that spotlight social issues and Latino communities. She co-founded organizations and initiatives aimed at civic engagement and industry inclusion.

Gina Rodriguez

Gina Rodriguez won a Golden Globe for her leading role in ‘Jane the Virgin’, a bilingual dramedy that introduced telenovela conventions to new audiences. She has produced and starred in projects across streaming and film that center Latina protagonists. Rodriguez launched programs to fund and mentor emerging filmmakers. Her career helped broaden network television’s appetite for hybrid, bilingual storytelling.

Zoe Saldaña

Zoe Saldaña has led several of the highest-grossing franchises in cinema history, including ‘Avatar’ and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’. She has portrayed key roles across science fiction and action, expanding representation within genre filmmaking. Saldaña co-founded a media company to champion diverse voices in front of and behind the camera. Her global box-office reach has demonstrated sustained audience demand for Latina leads.

Michelle Rodriguez

Michelle Rodriguez broke through with ‘Girlfight’ and became a mainstay of action cinema with ‘The Fast and the Furious’. She has consistently performed her own physically demanding roles, shaping expectations for women in action franchises. Rodriguez’s credits span studio films and independent productions, including ‘Avatar’ and ‘Resident Evil’. Her filmography widened the range of characters available to Latina performers in mainstream genre projects.

Ana de Armas

Ana de Armas, born in Cuba, transitioned from Spanish-language productions to Hollywood features with roles in ‘Blade Runner 2049’ and ‘Knives Out’. She earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her portrayal in ‘Blonde’. De Armas has anchored projects across drama, thriller, and action, including ‘No Time to Die’. Her quick ascent has strengthened the visibility of Cuban talent in global cinema.

Adriana Barraza

Adriana Barraza is a Mexican actress and renowned acting coach who earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘Babel’. She has worked extensively in Mexico and the United States across film and television. Barraza operates an acting studio that has trained performers for international markets. Her dual career as an educator and performer has had a lasting impact on Latin American talent development.

Yalitza Aparicio

Yalitza Aparicio became the first Indigenous Mexican woman nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in ‘Roma’. A former teacher, she used her platform to advocate for Indigenous rights, women’s labor rights, and education. Aparicio has served as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador focusing on Indigenous peoples. Her debut’s global reach encouraged casting that reflects Mexico’s full cultural diversity.

Kate del Castillo

Kate del Castillo is a Mexican star whose lead performance in ‘La Reina del Sur’ helped popularize narco-drama storytelling internationally. She has alternated between Spanish-language productions and English-language series and films. Del Castillo co-founded production ventures to create roles for Latino talent across markets. Her cross-border career strengthened the pipeline between telenovelas and global streaming hits.

Alice Braga

Alice Braga, niece of Sonia Braga, gained early attention with ‘City of God’ and went on to star in ‘I Am Legend’. She led the U.S. series adaptation of ‘Queen of the South’, expanding the reach of a Spanish-language hit. Braga has worked in Brazilian, Mexican, and American productions, frequently in genre and crime dramas. Her bilingual career illustrates the fluid exchange between Latin American cinema and U.S. television.

Rosario Dawson

Rosario Dawson debuted in ‘Kids’ and built a varied career across independent films, studio releases, and television. She portrayed Ahsoka Tano in ‘Ahsoka’, bringing a beloved animated character to live action. Dawson has produced and supported projects centered on social impact and civic engagement. Her cross-platform presence has kept Latina performers at the forefront of major franchise storytelling.

Stephanie Beatriz

Stephanie Beatriz is known for scene-stealing work on ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ and for voicing Mirabel in Disney’s ‘Encanto’. She has appeared in stage productions and independent films while lending her voice to multiple animated series. Beatriz’s roles have highlighted nuanced portrayals of identity within mainstream comedy and family entertainment. Her visibility in animation and network TV broadened the range of Latinx representation for younger audiences.

Eiza González

Eiza González transitioned from Mexican television to Hollywood features with turns in ‘Baby Driver’, ‘Hobbs & Shaw’, and ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’. She has pursued roles across action, sci-fi, and drama while collaborating with high-profile directors. González has also developed producing projects to expand opportunities for Latina-centered stories. Her career reflects a new wave of cross-border talent flourishing in global franchises.

Elizabeth Peña

Elizabeth Peña was a Cuban-American actress whose credits include ‘La Bamba’, ‘Lone Star’, and ‘The Incredibles’. She worked steadily in film and television while championing complex roles for Latina performers. Peña earned multiple awards, including an Independent Spirit Award for ‘Lone Star’. Her career helped establish a modern blueprint for bilingual, cross-genre success in American media.

Catalina Sandino Moreno

Catalina Sandino Moreno earned international acclaim with her breakthrough in ‘Maria Full of Grace’, becoming one of the first Colombian actresses recognized by major U.S. awards bodies. She has since worked steadily in both independent films and television, including appearances in ‘The Affair’ and ‘From’. Moreno frequently collaborates on projects that spotlight Latin American migration and women’s perspectives. Her cross-border career has helped bring Colombian talent and stories to wider audiences.

Eva Mendes

Eva Mendes established herself in Hollywood with roles spanning crime dramas, comedies, and action like ‘Training Day’, ‘Hitch’, and ‘The Place Beyond the Pines’. Beyond acting, she has produced and partnered on fashion and beauty ventures that broadened her public influence. Mendes has supported bilingual and Latino-focused campaigns and served as a spokesperson for major brands. Her mainstream visibility helped normalize Latina leads in studio films.

Rosie Perez

Rosie Perez first gained attention as a choreographer before breaking through as an actress in ‘Do the Right Thing’ and ‘White Men Can’t Jump’. She has balanced film, television, and stage work, including a Tony-nominated performance and ensemble roles such as ‘Birds of Prey’. Perez has advocated for Puerto Rican and broader Latino representation in the arts and public health initiatives. Her multi-disciplinary career broadened the scope of roles available to Latina performers.

Jenna Ortega

Jenna Ortega moved from Disney Channel projects to leading global hits, headlining ‘Wednesday’ and appearing in ‘Scream’. She has produced and shaped creative direction on select projects, taking an active role behind the scenes at a young age. Ortega’s work often blends genre elements with coming-of-age themes that resonate across audiences. Her rapid ascent underscores the growing demand for Latina talent in high-profile series and franchises.

Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez transitioned from early stardom to adult roles and producing, co-starring in ‘Only Murders in the Building’ and developing documentaries and scripted projects. She founded a beauty brand and philanthropic ventures focused on mental health and youth empowerment. Gomez’s bilingual background and music career have extended her reach across the Americas. As a producer-actor, she has created opportunities for new voices and stories.

Tessa Thompson

Tessa Thompson has played key roles across indie cinema and major franchises, including ‘Creed’ and ‘Thor: Ragnarok’. She has produced projects like ‘Passing’, amplifying underrepresented filmmakers and literary adaptations. Thompson has spoken publicly about inclusive casting and expanded representation across race, gender, and sexuality. Her mixed Afro-Panamanian and Mexican heritage informs a cross-cultural presence in mainstream Hollywood.

Karla Souza

Karla Souza bridged Mexican cinema and U.S. television, starring in ‘We Are the Nobles’ and breaking out in ‘How to Get Away with Murder’. She has led and produced Spanish- and English-language series and films, showcasing bilingual range. Souza often supports initiatives that develop Latino writers and directors. Her career exemplifies a modern pipeline from Mexico’s film industry to American prestige television.

Melissa Barrera

Melissa Barrera gained recognition with the series ‘Vida’ and expanded to musical and horror projects like ‘In the Heights’ and ‘Scream’. She has emphasized Latina-centered narratives and worked with directors bringing bilingual stories to mainstream platforms. Barrera’s training in Mexico’s performance schools laid the foundation for a cross-border career. Her visibility in genre films has diversified the roles offered to Mexican actresses.

Dascha Polanco

Dascha Polanco rose to prominence in ‘Orange Is the New Black’, contributing to one of streaming’s formative ensemble dramas. She has since appeared in projects such as ‘In the Heights’ and ‘Samaritan’, moving between television and film. Polanco often speaks about Afro-Latina identity and equitable representation in casting. Her trajectory helped broaden Dominican-American visibility in U.S. media.

Justina Machado

Justina Machado earned widespread acclaim for ‘One Day at a Time’, helping reintroduce a classic sitcom through a Cuban-American lens. She has worked across drama and comedy in series like ‘Six Feet Under’ and ‘Jane the Virgin’. Machado has supported projects that highlight working-class stories and multi-generational Latino families. Her performances have anchored culturally specific narratives with broad appeal.

Linda Cristal

Linda Cristal was an Argentine actress best known to U.S. audiences for ‘The High Chaparral’, earning multiple awards and nominations. She worked in both Latin American cinema and Hollywood studio productions. Cristal’s success during a period of limited roles for Latinas established a model for cross-industry careers. Her visibility on network television expanded recognition of South American actresses in the United States.

María Conchita Alonso

María Conchita Alonso transitioned from music and pageantry to acting, appearing in films like ‘Moscow on the Hudson’ and ‘The Running Man’. She was among the first Cuban-Venezuelan performers to secure leading roles in Hollywood during the 1980s. Alonso maintained a presence in Spanish-language media, sustaining a bicultural career. Her crossover helped pave the way for later Latina stars in action and comedy.

Cecilia Roth

Cecilia Roth is a leading figure in Argentine and Spanish-language cinema, known for collaborations with auteur directors including ‘All About My Mother’. She has balanced film and television roles while supporting independent productions in Argentina. Roth’s performances often explore identity, grief, and social change through character-driven narratives. Her work helped international audiences engage with contemporary Argentine film.

Paulina García

Paulina García earned major festival recognition for ‘Gloria’, bringing Chilean cinema to international attention. She continues to alternate between film and television across Latin America, Europe, and streaming platforms. García often portrays middle-aged women with complexity, breaking age-related stereotypes in casting. Her sustained festival presence has elevated Chile’s profile on the global arthouse circuit.

Anya Taylor-Joy

Anya Taylor-Joy, who grew up in Argentina and speaks Spanish, has led acclaimed projects across film and limited series, including ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ and ‘The Witch’. She has collaborated with directors known for stylized storytelling and genre innovation. Taylor-Joy’s bilingual background and international upbringing have shaped a global-facing career. Her prominence has highlighted the breadth of Argentine-connected talent working at the center of mainstream and independent cinema.

Share your picks and who you’d add to this list in the comments!