The Most Influential Hispanic Actresses of All Time

From Hollywood’s Golden Age to today’s global franchises and prestige TV, Hispanic actresses have shaped on-screen storytelling, opened doors across industries, and championed representation behind the scenes. Their work spans multiple countries, languages, and genres—often breaking records and setting firsts along the way. Below is a look at 40 trailblazers whose careers, accolades, and off-screen impact continue to resonate across film and television.

Rita Moreno

Rita Moreno is one of the few performers to achieve EGOT status, winning competitive Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in New York, she broke through in Hollywood musicals and later expanded into television and stage work. Her landmark performance in ‘West Side Story’ earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She has also served on arts and advocacy boards, mentoring emerging Latino talent and advancing representation initiatives.

Salma Hayek

Salma Hayek earned a Best Actress Oscar nomination for portraying Frida Kahlo in ‘Frida’, a film she also produced. Originally from Veracruz, Mexico, she moved from telenovelas to U.S. cinema and later built a prolific producing slate. She co-founded a production company that has developed film and television projects highlighting Latin American stories. Beyond acting, she is active in humanitarian campaigns focused on women’s rights and global health.

Penélope Cruz

Penélope Cruz became the first Spanish actress to win an Academy Award, taking Best Supporting Actress for ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’. She established her career in Spanish cinema before moving into international productions with noted directors. Cruz has multiple Oscar nominations across leading and supporting categories. She frequently collaborates with Spanish filmmakers while maintaining a strong presence in English-language film.

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez transitioned from dance and television to a major acting career with acclaimed turns in films like ‘Selena’ and later ‘Hustlers’. She has headlined studio releases while also producing film and TV through her companies. Lopez has consistently topped box-office charts and music rankings, creating crossover visibility for Latina performers. She has also developed opportunities for Latin creatives through mentorship and production partnerships.

Sofía Vergara

Sofía Vergara became one of television’s highest-paid performers through her long-running role on ‘Modern Family’. Born in Barranquilla, Colombia, she moved from Spanish-language media to mainstream U.S. television and film. She has launched successful business ventures, including endorsements and product lines. Vergara’s work in front of and behind the camera helped normalize bilingual, bicultural characters on network TV.

Eva Longoria

Eva Longoria rose to prominence on ‘Desperate Housewives’ and later pivoted to producing and directing across TV and film. She founded a production banner to champion Latino-focused stories and emerging creators. Longoria has directed episodes of multiple series and feature projects, expanding Latina leadership in the industry. Her philanthropy includes education and entrepreneurship programs for the Latino community.

America Ferrera

America Ferrera won a Primetime Emmy for her lead role in ‘Ugly Betty’, becoming a defining face of 2000s network television. She has produced, directed, and starred in film and TV projects centering diverse perspectives. Ferrera co-founded initiatives supporting Latinx creatives and voter participation efforts. Her work spans independent dramas and large-scale studio releases, amplifying Latina visibility across formats.

Zoe Saldaña

Zoe Saldaña has starred in several of the highest-grossing franchises, including ‘Avatar’ and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’. Born to Dominican and Puerto Rican parents, she trained in dance before transitioning to film. Saldaña’s roles bridge science fiction, action, and drama, reflecting broad audience appeal. She also produces content focused on multicultural narratives and women-led stories.

Michelle Rodriguez

Michelle Rodriguez broke out with ‘Girlfight’ and became a mainstay of the ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise. Of Dominican and Puerto Rican heritage, she has worked across action, sci-fi, and independent film. Rodriguez is known for physically demanding roles that expanded the range of Latina representation in genre cinema. She has also voiced characters in animation and games, extending her impact to new audiences.

Ana de Armas

Cuban-born Ana de Armas moved from Spanish-language television to international films, earning a Best Actress Oscar nomination for ‘Blonde’. She gained wide recognition in ‘Knives Out’ and continued into action and thriller projects. De Armas has alternated between studio blockbusters and character-driven dramas. Her career highlights the growing global pathways for Spanish-speaking talent in English-language markets.

Dolores del Río

Dolores del Río was among the first Mexican actresses to achieve major stardom in Hollywood before returning to lead Mexico’s Golden Age of cinema. She headlined silent and early sound films in the United States, then earned critical acclaim in Mexican classics. Del Río’s international career paved the way for future cross-border success stories. She also supported arts institutions and film festivals in Mexico.

María Félix

María Félix became an emblem of Mexico’s Golden Age of cinema with commanding roles in literary adaptations and historical dramas like ‘Doña Bárbara’. She worked with leading directors in Mexico, Spain, France, and Italy. Félix’s star power helped Mexico’s film industry reach audiences across Europe and Latin America. She maintained a prominent public profile that elevated Mexican cinema on the world stage.

Katy Jurado

Katy Jurado won a Golden Globe for her performance in ‘High Noon’, becoming one of the earliest Latina actors recognized by major U.S. awards. She worked extensively in both Hollywood and Mexican cinema. Jurado specialized in complex supporting roles that challenged prevailing stereotypes. Her cross-cultural career opened doors for bilingual performers in mid-century film.

Lupe Vélez

Lupe Vélez transitioned from Mexican theater to Hollywood, becoming a major comedic and dramatic star in the 1930s. She headlined the ‘Mexican Spitfire’ film series, which achieved strong box-office results. Vélez worked across studios at a time when opportunities for Latina actors were limited. Her prominence marked one of the earliest sustained Latin American presences in U.S. cinema.

Yalitza Aparicio

Yalitza Aparicio earned a Best Actress Oscar nomination for her debut performance in ‘Roma’. Born in Oaxaca, she brought international attention to Indigenous Mexican representation in film. Aparicio has since served as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador focusing on Indigenous languages. She continues to choose projects and advocacy that expand visibility for underrepresented communities.

Kate del Castillo

Kate del Castillo reached global audiences with the Spanish-language series ‘La Reina del Sur’. She built a career across Mexican film, U.S. television, and streaming platforms. Del Castillo founded a production company to develop bilingual projects. Her cross-border success illustrates the reach of Spanish-language content in international markets.

Carmen Maura

Carmen Maura is a longtime collaborator of Pedro Almodóvar, with standout roles in films such as ‘Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown’. She has won multiple Goya Awards, Spain’s top film honor. Maura’s career spans theater, television, and film in Spain and France. Her performances helped elevate Spanish cinema’s profile during the 1980s and beyond.

Victoria Abril

Victoria Abril emerged as a leading figure in Spanish and European cinema, appearing in works like ‘Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!’. She has received multiple Goya nominations and international festival prizes. Abril’s roles range from psychological drama to dark comedy. Her filmography contributed to the international recognition of contemporary Spanish storytelling.

Adriana Barraza

Adriana Barraza earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her work in ‘Babel’. Originally from Mexico, she is also a respected acting coach and theater director. Barraza has appeared in U.S. and Latin American productions across film and television. Her cross-cultural career underscores the mobility of Spanish-speaking talent in global cinema.

Rosario Dawson

Rosario Dawson, of Puerto Rican and Cuban heritage, has starred in films like ‘Sin City’ and ‘Rent’ and in television and streaming series. She has produced documentaries and supported youth media programs. Dawson’s work spans independent features, franchises, and voice acting. Her advocacy includes voting initiatives and campaigns for diverse representation in media.

Gina Rodriguez

Gina Rodriguez became widely known for ‘Jane the Virgin’, earning major television awards and helping expand bilingual storytelling on network TV. She has produced series and films to showcase Latino voices and narratives. Rodriguez founded programs offering industry access and training to underrepresented youth. Her film roles include action, animation, and indie dramas, reflecting range beyond her breakout series.

Eiza González

Eiza González transitioned from Mexican telenovelas to international films like ‘Baby Driver’ and high-profile action projects. She has partnered with major studios while also developing Spanish-language content. González has served as a brand ambassador and advocate for cross-border creative collaboration. Her casting across genres has helped normalize Latina leads in mainstream genre films.

Maribel Verdú

Maribel Verdú is a two-time Goya Award winner with acclaimed performances in Spanish and international cinema, including ‘Y tu mamá también’. She has worked with celebrated directors in Spain, Mexico, and beyond. Verdú’s career spans period pieces, thrillers, and literary adaptations. She also participates in film academy initiatives that support emerging Spanish-language filmmakers.

Ángela Molina

Ángela Molina rose to prominence in European art-house cinema with films like ‘That Obscure Object of Desire’. She has received lifetime achievement honors from Spanish festivals and the Goya Academy. Molina’s multidecade career covers Spanish, French, and Italian productions. She comes from a noted artistic family and has supported cultural institutions in Spain.

Paz Vega

Paz Vega gained international attention with ‘Sex and Lucia’ and transitioned to English-language projects including ‘Spanglish’. She has alternated between European and U.S. productions across film and television. Vega has served as a jury member at major film festivals, contributing to global cinema discourse. She continues to headline Spanish-language series while appearing in international co-productions.

Cecilia Roth

Cecilia Roth, a key figure in Argentine and Spanish cinema, earned major awards for her role in ‘All About My Mother’. She has balanced stage and screen work, collaborating frequently with auteur directors. Roth has supported Argentine film institutions and training programs. Her career helped elevate Latin American actors within European art-house circles.

Norma Aleandro

Norma Aleandro is one of Argentina’s most decorated actresses, internationally recognized for ‘The Official Story’. She has an extensive theater career and has taught acting workshops across Latin America. Aleandro faced censorship during a period of dictatorship and later returned to prominent roles. Her body of work is frequently cited in film studies curricula focusing on Latin American cinema.

Libertad Lamarque

Libertad Lamarque began in Argentine cinema and became a major star in Mexico’s film industry after relocating. She recorded numerous albums and headlined melodramas that became staples of classic Latin American film. Lamarque later moved into telenovelas, reaching new generations of viewers. Her cross-national career mapped early pathways for Spanish-language stardom across markets.

María Conchita Alonso

María Conchita Alonso, born in Cuba and raised in Venezuela, made successful transitions from Latin American entertainment to Hollywood films. She has worked in action, comedy, and drama while maintaining a music career. Alonso appeared on Broadway and U.S. television, expanding her range of audiences. She remains active in public life and charity events tied to Latin American communities.

Rosie Perez

Rosie Perez earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘Fearless’ and choreographed for television and music before focusing on acting. Of Puerto Rican heritage, she has appeared in independent films, studio releases, and stage productions. Perez has been a panelist and host on prominent U.S. programs, broadening her cultural influence. She supports organizations focused on health equity and youth arts education.

Elizabeth Peña

Elizabeth Peña built a steady career in film and television with notable roles in ‘Lone Star’ and ‘La Bamba’. A Cuban-American performer, she portrayed a wide range of characters outside stereotypical confines. Peña also directed television episodes, contributing behind the camera. Her legacy includes mentorship and early advocacy for more nuanced Latino roles in Hollywood.

Gina Torres

Gina Torres, of Cuban descent, is known for standout television roles in ‘Firefly’, ‘Suits’, and genre series. She has led and produced spinoff content, increasing Latina presence in executive roles. Torres frequently voices characters in animation and games, reaching multi-generational audiences. She participates in initiatives that promote industry access for diverse talent.

Jenna Ortega

Jenna Ortega gained international visibility with ‘Wednesday’ and earlier roles in family and thriller projects. Of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage, she has used her platform to support mental health and immigrant rights organizations. Ortega alternates between mainstream hits and independent films. She speaks publicly about inclusive casting and creative authorship for young Latin talent.

Stephanie Beatriz

Stephanie Beatriz is recognized for ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ and for voicing leads in acclaimed animated features like ‘Encanto’. Born in Argentina to Bolivian and Colombian parents, she has worked across comedy, drama, and voice acting. Beatriz advocates for LGBTQ+ representation in media and has produced indie projects. She participates in industry panels and programs that mentor early-career creators.

Anya Taylor-Joy

Anya Taylor-Joy, raised in Argentina and the UK, works in both English and Spanish and has headlined globally popular limited series and films. She moves between studio franchises and art-house productions. Taylor-Joy collaborates with international directors and continues to take Spanish-speaking roles. Her bilingual career underscores modern, transnational pathways for Hispanic performers.

Bárbara Mori

Bárbara Mori achieved continental fame with the series ‘Rubí’ before moving into film across Mexico and Latin America. She has produced independent projects and participated in co-productions beyond the region. Mori supports health-related causes through public campaigns and partnerships. Her career helped expand the export of modern telenovela stars into cinema.

Belén Rueda

Belén Rueda is a leading Spanish actress known for hit thrillers like ‘The Orphanage’ and acclaimed television work. She has garnered major Spanish awards and consistent box-office success in domestic cinema. Rueda collaborates on co-productions across Europe and Latin America. Her filmography helped boost the international profile of contemporary Spanish genre filmmaking.

Verónica Castro

Verónica Castro became a dominant figure in Mexican telenovelas and later hosted high-rating television programs. Her shows were syndicated widely, giving her pan–Latin American recognition. Castro recorded albums and led tours, extending her brand beyond acting. She remains a reference point in studies of television’s Golden Age in Mexico.

Thalía

Thalía, a Mexican singer and actress, starred in globally distributed telenovelas such as ‘María la del Barrio’. Her series achieved record international sales for Spanish-language television. Thalía leveraged her visibility into music, fashion, and publishing ventures. She continues philanthropic work through foundations focused on children’s health and education.

Share your picks in the comments: who else belongs on this list and what roles first made you take notice?