Hispanic Actresses Everyone Loves

From groundbreaking Oscar winners to sitcom favorites and action stars, Hispanic actresses have shaped film and television across languages and genres. This list brings together icons and rising talents from Mexico, Spain, the Caribbean, and Latin America who have delivered memorable performances and helped broaden representation on screen. You will spot award winners, franchise leads, and scene stealers whose work spans indie films, network hits, and global streaming smashes.

Salma Hayek Pinault

Born in Coatzacoalcos, Mexico, Salma Hayek broke through in Hollywood with roles in ‘Desperado’ and ‘From Dusk Till Dawn’. She earned an Academy Award nomination for portraying Frida Kahlo in ‘Frida’. Beyond acting, she has produced projects that champion diverse stories. She works in both English and Spanish markets and remains active in film and television.

Penélope Cruz

Penélope Cruz is a Spanish star known for her collaborations with Pedro Almodóvar and roles in ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’ and ‘Volver’. She became the first Spanish actress to win an Academy Award. Cruz moves easily between European cinema and Hollywood features. She also models and supports humanitarian causes tied to health and education.

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez began as a dancer before leading films like ‘Selena’, ‘Out of Sight’, and ‘Hustlers’. She balances acting with a successful music career and major live performances. Lopez has produced television and film projects that highlight Latina stories. She maintains a business portfolio that includes fashion and beauty brands.

Sofía Vergara

Sofía Vergara gained global recognition on ‘Modern Family’. She started as a television host in Latin America before moving into American film and TV. Vergara has launched ventures in fashion and home goods. She continues to serve as a judge on ‘America’s Got Talent’ while developing scripted projects.

Ana de Armas

Cuban-born Ana de Armas earned international notice in ‘Knives Out’. She portrayed Marilyn Monroe in ‘Blonde’ and appeared in franchise films like ‘No Time to Die’. De Armas trained at Cuba’s National Theater School before working in Spain. She now leads English-language productions while maintaining ties to Spanish projects.

Eva Longoria

Eva Longoria became a household name with ‘Desperate Housewives’. She has directed and produced for television and film, including episodic work and features. Longoria founded a production company to amplify underrepresented voices. She is active in philanthropy and advocacy centered on education and entrepreneurship.

America Ferrera

America Ferrera earned acclaim on ‘Ugly Betty’ and appeared in the cultural phenomenon ‘Barbie’. She has produced and directed episodes of television comedies and dramas. Ferrera frequently speaks about representation in media. She supports initiatives that expand civic engagement and opportunities for young people.

Gina Rodriguez

Gina Rodriguez won awards for her leading role on ‘Jane the Virgin’. She has starred in films like ‘Miss Bala’ and lent her voice to animated features. Rodriguez founded a production banner to create more Latinx-centered stories. She also mentors emerging artists through industry programs.

Michelle Rodriguez

Michelle Rodriguez made a splash with ‘Girlfight’ and became a core part of the ‘Fast and Furious’ franchise. She has appeared in action, sci-fi, and indie projects. Rodriguez is known for performing many of her own stunts. She frequently supports environmental and wildlife causes.

Zoe Saldaña

Zoe Saldaña anchors major franchises with key roles in ‘Avatar’ and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’. She trained in dance before transitioning to film. Saldaña co-founded a digital platform focused on empowering women. She works across blockbuster projects and smaller character-driven films.

Rita Moreno

Rita Moreno is an EGOT winner with landmark roles in ‘West Side Story’ and ‘One Day at a Time’. Her career spans stage, film, and television across decades. Moreno has advocated for performers of color throughout her life. She continues to act and narrate documentaries and family programming.

Aubrey Plaza

Aubrey Plaza broke out on ‘Parks and Recreation’ and has led acclaimed films like ‘Emily the Criminal’. She balances comedy with darker, offbeat roles. Plaza produces independent projects and champions unique voices. She works in both studio films and limited series.

Rosario Dawson

Rosario Dawson has appeared in ‘Rent’, ‘Sin City’, and the ‘Star Wars’ series ‘Ahsoka’. She co-founded a voter engagement organization to expand participation. Dawson has produced documentaries and advocacy content. She continues to blend genre work with socially conscious projects.

Dascha Polanco

Dascha Polanco gained attention with ‘Orange Is the New Black’. She has since appeared in films like ‘In the Heights’. Polanco uses her platform to discuss body positivity and representation. She works in both English and Spanish-language productions.

Jenna Ortega

Jenna Ortega led the global hit ‘Wednesday’ and appeared in the ‘Scream’ franchise. She started with Disney Channel roles before moving into darker material. Ortega is bilingual and often supports causes related to mental health. She continues to headline young adult and genre projects.

Eiza González

Eiza González transitioned from Mexican television to Hollywood with ‘Baby Driver’ and ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’. She has modeled for international brands alongside acting. González often performs in action and sci-fi titles. She actively supports disaster relief and women’s health initiatives.

Aimee Garcia

Aimee Garcia is known for ‘Dexter’ and ‘Lucifer’. She co-wrote comic books tied to genre franchises and produces screen content. Garcia has a background in economics and journalism from Northwestern University. She appears in both live-action and voice roles.

Melissa Fumero

Melissa Fumero starred as Amy Santiago on ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’. She later led the workplace comedy ‘Blockbuster’. Fumero has directed episodes of television comedies. She participates in panels and programs centered on Latina representation in media.

Stephanie Beatriz

Stephanie Beatriz is recognized for ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ and voiced a lead in ‘Encanto’. She has performed on Broadway and in independent films. Beatriz is active in LGBTQ+ advocacy and representation. She continues to work across animation, theater, and television.

Ana Ortiz

Ana Ortiz earned acclaim on ‘Ugly Betty’ and ‘Love, Victor’. She trained in vocal performance before focusing on acting. Ortiz has appeared in numerous network dramas and comedies. She frequently mentors young performers through arts programs.

Gina Torres

Gina Torres is known for ‘Suits’, ‘Firefly’, and ‘9-1-1: Lone Star’. She trained at the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art. Torres often portrays strong leadership roles in genre and procedural series. She also produces and develops scripted projects.

Eva Mendes

Eva Mendes starred in ‘Training Day’, ‘Hitch’, and ‘The Place Beyond the Pines’. She has collaborated with major fashion houses and launched lifestyle products. Mendes stepped back from frequent acting to focus on family and business ventures. She continues to lend her voice to advocacy and design projects.

Kate del Castillo

Kate del Castillo led the hit series ‘La Reina del Sur’. She successfully bridged Mexican and U.S. markets in film and television. Del Castillo produces content through her own company. She frequently appears in action and political thrillers.

Yalitza Aparicio

Yalitza Aparicio debuted in ‘Roma’ and received an Academy Award nomination. She is of Mixtec and Triqui heritage and advocates for indigenous rights. Aparicio has served as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. She works in international film and educational initiatives.

Cecilia Suárez

Cecilia Suárez drew a global audience with ‘The House of Flowers’. She has a long career in Mexican cinema and theater. Suárez often collaborates with acclaimed Latin American directors. She supports cultural programs that expand access to the arts.

Karla Souza

Karla Souza became widely known for ‘How to Get Away with Murder’. She previously headlined successful Mexican comedies. Souza works as a producer and supports anti-corruption efforts. She continues to act in both Spanish and English projects.

Martha Higareda

Martha Higareda starred in ‘Amarte Duele’ and appeared in ‘Altered Carbon’. She founded a production company to create bilingual content. Higareda writes and produces films in Mexico and the United States. She often blends romance, drama, and sci-fi genres.

Úrsula Corberó

Úrsula Corberó reached worldwide fame with ‘Money Heist’. She has led Spanish films and fashion campaigns. Corberó appears in international productions and action titles. She engages in environmental and social initiatives in Spain.

Alba Flores

Alba Flores is known for ‘Money Heist’ and ‘Vis a vis’. She comes from a family of artists and trained in dramatic interpretation. Flores has performed in stage productions and lends her voice to social causes. She continues to work across Spanish television and film.

Itziar Ituño

Itziar Ituño played Inspector Raquel Murillo in ‘Money Heist’. She speaks multiple languages and performs in Basque and Spanish projects. Ituño has a background in sociology alongside acting. She balances film, television, and stage work.

Paz Vega

Paz Vega gained attention with ‘Sex and Lucia’ and crossed over with ‘Spanglish’. She has worked in European and American productions. Vega models for international brands and participates in film festivals. She continues to act in drama and thriller projects.

Elsa Pataky

Elsa Pataky has appeared in the ‘Fast and Furious’ franchise and Spanish-language films. She studied journalism before focusing on acting. Pataky collaborates on fitness and wellness content. She divides her time between European and Australian productions.

Anya Taylor-Joy

Anya Taylor-Joy spent much of her childhood in Argentina and speaks Spanish. She broke out with ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ and ‘The Witch’. Taylor-Joy leads studio films and prestige limited series. She often works with visionary directors on genre-bending projects.

Cote de Pablo

Cote de Pablo is best known for ‘NCIS’. Born in Chile, she moved to the United States to study acting and musical theater. De Pablo has starred in stage productions and television films. She periodically returns to the ‘NCIS’ universe while pursuing new roles.

Stephanie Cayo

Stephanie Cayo is a Peruvian actress and singer who starred in ‘Club de Cuervos’. She began acting as a child in telenovelas. Cayo works across Latin American markets and Spain. She records music and appears in streaming romantic comedies.

Genesis Rodriguez

Génesis Rodríguez has appeared in ‘Man on a Ledge’ and voiced characters in animated hits like ‘Big Hero 6’. She began in telenovelas before moving to Hollywood films. Rodríguez is fluent in English and Spanish. She works in both comedy and thriller genres.

Patricia Velásquez

Patricia Velásquez acted in ‘The Mummy’ films and has an extensive modeling career. She founded a nonprofit focused on indigenous communities in Venezuela. Velásquez appears in English and Spanish-language productions. She writes and speaks about cultural heritage and inclusion.

Gaby Espino

Gaby Espino is a Venezuelan actress known for popular telenovelas. She hosts and produces television specials and reality formats. Espino has a major following across Spanish-language media. She collaborates with beauty and lifestyle brands.

Paulina Gaitán

Paulina Gaitán drew praise with ‘Sin Nombre’ and appeared in ‘Narcos’. She began acting at a young age in Mexico. Gaitán works in independent films and streaming series. She often chooses intense, character-driven roles.

Teresa Ruiz

Teresa Ruiz earned international attention with ‘Narcos: Mexico’. She trained at prestigious acting studios in the United States and Mexico. Ruiz has produced films through her own banner. She balances roles in crime dramas and literary adaptations.

Share your favorite performances by these actresses in the comments and tell us who else belongs on the list.