Hispanic Actors Who Were Everywhere In The 2010s

The 2010s marked a significant era of visibility and success for Hispanic actors across the global entertainment landscape. Audiences witnessed these talented performers transitioning from supporting parts to leading roles in major blockbuster franchises and prestige television series. Their work spanned diverse genres ranging from gritty crime thrillers to expansive science fiction epics. This period helped redefine representation in Hollywood as these men brought complex and compelling characters to life.

Oscar Isaac

Isaac established himself as one of the most versatile actors of the decade with high-profile roles in both independent films and massive blockbusters. He garnered critical acclaim for his portrayal of a folk singer in the Coen Brothers film ‘Inside Llewyn Davis’. His fame skyrocketed when he piloted an X-wing as Poe Dameron in the ‘Star Wars’ sequel trilogy. He also delivered a chilling performance as a tech genius in ‘Ex Machina’ and won a Golden Globe for ‘Show Me a Hero’.

Pedro Pascal

This actor became a global sensation after his charismatic turn as Oberyn Martell in the fantasy series ‘Game of Thrones’. He continued his winning streak by starring as DEA agent Javier Peña in the gritty crime drama ‘Narcos’. Pascal closed out the decade by stepping into the armor of the titular bounty hunter in ‘The Mandalorian’. His ability to convey deep emotion and toughness made him a standout star during these years.

Michael Peña

Peña was a constant presence in cinemas throughout the 2010s thanks to his comedic timing and dramatic range. He stole scenes as the fast-talking Luis in the Marvel hit ‘Ant-Man’ and its sequel. The actor also played a crucial role as a pilot in the sci-fi survival film ‘The Martian’. His filmography during this period included diverse projects like ‘American Hustle’ and the war film ‘Fury’.

Diego Luna

Luna expanded his international reach significantly during this decade with major roles in film and television. He starred as Cassian Andor in the prequel film ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ to great acclaim. The actor also returned to dramatic television as the lead in ‘Narcos: Mexico’ portraying the drug lord Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo. Additionally, he lent his voice to the animated film ‘The Book of Life’ which celebrated Mexican culture.

Gael García Bernal

This celebrated actor charmed audiences as the eccentric conductor Rodrigo De Souza in the Amazon series ‘Mozart in the Jungle’. His performance in the show earned him a Golden Globe award during its four-season run. He also provided the voice for the character Hector in the massive Disney Pixar hit ‘Coco’. Bernal continued to work steadily in international cinema with films like ‘No’ and ‘Desierto’.

Benicio del Toro

Del Toro brought his signature intensity to several major franchises throughout the decade. He joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as The Collector in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and appeared in ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’. His most acclaimed role of the era was arguably the mysterious Alejandro in the intense thriller ‘Sicario’. He reprised this dark and complex character in the sequel ‘Sicario: Day of the Soldado’.

Javier Bardem

Bardem played one of the most memorable Bond villains of the modern era as Raoul Silva in ‘Skyfall’. He continued to secure villainous roles in blockbusters such as ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales’. The actor also starred in the psychological horror film ‘Mother!’ alongside Jennifer Lawrence. His work remained consistently high in profile and garnered attention from global audiences.

Edgar Ramírez

Ramírez received wide recognition for his portrayal of Gianni Versace in ‘The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story’. He starred in the remake of ‘Point Break’ as Bodhi and appeared in the thriller ‘The Girl on the Train’. The actor also played a Greek god in ‘Wrath of the Titans’ early in the decade. His rugged looks and acting chops kept him in high demand for action and drama alike.

Demián Bichir

Bichir earned an Academy Award nomination early in the decade for his moving performance in ‘A Better Life’. He later joined the ensemble cast of Quentin Tarantino’s western ‘The Hateful Eight’. The actor also starred in the horror blockbuster ‘The Nun’ as Father Burke. His television work included a leading role in the crime drama series ‘The Bridge’.

John Leguizamo

Leguizamo remained a fixture in Hollywood with voice roles in the ‘Ice Age’ franchise as Sid the Sloth. He delivered a memorable performance as Aurelio in the action hit ‘John Wick’ and its first sequel. The actor also received critical praise for his role in the Netflix series ‘Bloodline’. He rounded out the decade by writing and starring in his own award-winning Broadway show.

Andy Garcia

García continued to be a dignified presence on screen with roles in various mainstream comedies and action films. He appeared as the President in the disaster movie ‘Geostorm’ and played a romantic lead in ‘Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again’. The actor also joined the cast of the HBO series ‘Ballers’ alongside Dwayne Johnson. He consistently brought gravitas to every project he joined.

Eugenio Derbez

Derbez broke box office records with his heartfelt comedy ‘Instructions Not Included’ which he directed and starred in. He crossed over into mainstream American cinema with lead roles in ‘How to Be a Latin Lover’ and the remake of ‘Overboard’. His production company helped bring more bilingual content to theaters in the United States. He proved that Spanish-language films could compete financially with Hollywood blockbusters.

Antonio Banderas

Banderas experienced a career renaissance late in the decade with his lead role in ‘Pain and Glory’. That performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. He also voiced the swashbuckling cat in the ‘Shrek’ spin-off ‘Puss in Boots’. Additionally, he played Pablo Picasso in the anthology series ‘Genius’ for National Geographic.

Manuel Garcia-Rulfo

Garcia-Rulfo gained traction in Hollywood as one of the titular gunmen in the remake of ‘The Magnificent Seven’. He appeared in the star-studded mystery ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ as Biniamino Marquez. The actor also had a role in the action sequel ‘Sicario: Day of the Soldado’. His career momentum built steadily with appearances in action-heavy films throughout the years.

Jay Hernandez

Hernandez took on the iconic role of Thomas Magnum in the reboot of the classic series ‘Magnum P.I.’ starting in 2018. Before that, he played El Diablo in the DC Comics film ‘Suicide Squad’. He also showed his comedic side as a love interest in the hit comedy ‘Bad Moms’. His transition from film supporting roles to a network TV lead marked a successful decade.

Wilmer Valderrama

Valderrama moved away from his sitcom roots to take on more dramatic roles in action procedurals. He joined the main cast of the long-running hit ‘NCIS’ as Special Agent Nick Torres. The actor also starred in the television adaptation of ‘From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series’. He remained a familiar face on television with voice work in children’s programming as well.

Gabriel Luna

Luna impressed audiences with his portrayal of Robbie Reyes, also known as Ghost Rider, in ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’. He was later cast as the new advanced antagonist in ‘Terminator: Dark Fate’. The actor also appeared in the crime anthology series ‘Wicked City’. His physical performances in action roles established him as a rising star in the genre.

Diego Boneta

Boneta gained significant attention for his lead role in the musical film ‘Rock of Ages’ alongside Tom Cruise. He later starred in the horror-comedy series ‘Scream Queens’ created by Ryan Murphy. The actor achieved massive success in Latin America and beyond by portraying Luis Miguel in the biographical series ‘Luis Miguel: The Series’. His singing ability and acting range served him well throughout the decade.

Tyler Posey

Posey became a teen idol by starring as Scott McCall in the supernatural drama ‘Teen Wolf’ for the entire decade. The show developed a massive cult following and kept him in the spotlight for six seasons. He also appeared in the horror film ‘Truth or Dare’ produced by Blumhouse. His work was central to the young adult genre on television during this era.

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Miranda revolutionized musical theater with his creation of ‘Hamilton’ which became a cultural phenomenon in the mid-2010s. He transitioned to film by starring in ‘Mary Poppins Returns’ as Jack the lamplighter. He also wrote the chart-topping songs for the Disney animated film ‘Moana’. His creative output defined the sound of the decade on both stage and screen.

Anthony Ramos

Ramos broke out as part of the original cast of ‘Hamilton’ playing dual roles on Broadway. He leveraged that success into a supporting role in the Oscar-winning film ‘A Star Is Born’. The actor also appeared in the Spike Lee series ‘She’s Gotta Have It’ on Netflix. His energy and musical talent made him a sought-after performer by the end of the 2010s.

Alfonso Herrera

Herrera gained a global following for his role as Hernando Fuentes in the sci-fi drama ‘Sense8’. He also starred as the lead in the television adaptation of ‘The Exorcist’ on Fox. The actor balanced his international work with projects in Mexico including the political satire ‘The Dictatorship’. He was praised for his ability to handle intense dramatic material.

Miguel Ángel Silvestre

Silvestre became known to international audiences as Lito Rodriguez in the Wachowskis’ series ‘Sense8’. He also played a major role in the hit Spanish series ‘Velvet’ which found a large audience on streaming platforms. The actor joined the cast of ‘Narcos’ for its third season as a money launderer. His charisma made him a standout in ensemble casts.

Nestor Carbonell

Carbonell played the morally ambiguous Sheriff Alex Romero in the ‘Psycho’ prequel series ‘Bates Motel’. He remained a recognizable face due to his previous work but solidified his presence with this long-running role. The actor also appeared in the CBS drama ‘Ringer’ and directed episodes of high-profile series. His distinct look and intensity worked well for mystery and thriller genres.

Clifton Collins Jr.

This character actor was ubiquitous in the 2010s with roles in both television and film. He played the host Lawrence in the hit HBO sci-fi series ‘Westworld’. Collins also appeared in the blockbuster ‘Pacific Rim’ and the crime thriller ‘Triple 9’. He consistently brought depth to supporting roles in major productions.

Danny Trejo

Trejo capitalized on his cult status by starring in the action films ‘Machete’ and ‘Machete Kills’. He maintained a prolific schedule with countless appearances in B-movies and television guest spots. The actor became a pop culture icon during this time and frequently appeared in commercials. His tough exterior and lovable personality made him a favorite across generations.

Tony Dalton

Dalton entered the ‘Breaking Bad’ universe late in the decade as the charming but terrifying Lalo Salamanca in ‘Better Call Saul’. His performance was immediately hailed as one of the best villain portrayals on television. Before that, he starred in the HBO Latin America series ‘Sr. Ávila’. His late-decade rise introduced him to a massive US audience.

Danny Pino

Pino spent the first half of the decade starring as Detective Nick Amaro in ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’. He later played a key role in the political thriller ‘Scandal’ as Alejandro Berrios. The actor eventually took on a lead antagonist role in the series ‘Mayans M.C.’. He was a reliable presence on network television procedurals and dramas.

Jon Seda

Seda became the face of the ‘Chicago’ franchise TV universe playing Detective Antonio Dawson. He starred primarily in ‘Chicago P.D.’ but frequently crossed over into ‘Chicago Fire’ and ‘Chicago Justice’. His character was a grounding force in the chaotic world of Dick Wolf’s procedurals. He also appeared in the HBO miniseries ‘The Pacific’ at the very start of the decade.

Adam Rodriguez

Rodriguez reprised his role as Eric Delko in ‘CSI: Miami’ until the show concluded early in the decade. He then showed off his dance moves in the hit film ‘Magic Mike’ and its sequel ‘Magic Mike XXL’. The actor later joined the main cast of ‘Criminal Minds’ as Luke Alvez. His career balanced between physically demanding roles and dramatic television work.

Rico Rodriguez

Rodriguez grew up on screen playing Manny Delgado in the sitcom juggernaut ‘Modern Family’. The show remained a ratings hit and award winner throughout the entire decade. His character provided much of the comic relief and heart in the ensemble cast. He became one of the most recognizable child actors on television during this era.

Benjamin Bratt

Bratt had a busy decade with roles in films like ‘Ride Along 2’ and ‘Doctor Strange’. He voiced the character Ernesto de la Cruz in the Pixar smash hit ‘Coco’. On television, he starred in the musical drama ‘Star’ as talent manager Jahil Rivera. He maintained a strong presence in both live-action and animated projects.

Bobby Cannavale

Cannavale delivered an explosive performance as Gyp Rosetti in ‘Boardwalk Empire’ which earned him an Emmy. He starred in the HBO rock ‘n’ roll drama ‘Vinyl’ produced by Martin Scorsese. The actor also appeared in ‘Ant-Man’ and the reboot of ‘Jumanji’. His ability to play volatile characters made him a go-to actor for intense dramas.

Kirk Acevedo

Acevedo was a key player in the sci-fi series ’12 Monkeys’ where he played Ramse. He also took on the role of the villain Ricardo Diaz in the superhero series ‘Arrow’. The actor appeared in ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’ as a supporting character. His intensity suited the post-apocalyptic and comic book genres perfectly.

Rick Gonzalez

Gonzalez became a series regular on ‘Arrow’ playing the vigilante Wild Dog. He brought a street-level grit to the polished superhero team on the CW network. Before that, he appeared in shows like ‘Rush’ and ‘Mr. Robot’. His character arc on ‘Arrow’ was a significant part of the show’s middle and later seasons.

David Zayas

Zayas continued his role as Angel Batista on the hit show ‘Dexter’ until its conclusion in 2013. He then played the mob boss Sal Maroni in the Batman prequel series ‘Gotham’. The actor also appeared in the Netflix series ‘Bloodline’ alongside other prominent Latino actors. He was a staple in crime dramas throughout the ten-year period.

Jimmy Smits

Smits added gravitas to the ‘Sons of Anarchy’ cast playing the pimp Nero Padilla. He returned to the ‘Star Wars’ universe as Bail Organa in ‘Rogue One’. The actor also starred in the legal drama ‘Bluff City Law’ and had a recurring arc on ‘How to Get Away with Murder’. His veteran status elevated every show he appeared in during the 2010s.

Esai Morales

Morales played major recurring roles in hit series like ‘Criminal Minds’ and ‘Chicago P.D.’. He starred as a calculated antagonist in the first season of ‘How to Get Away with Murder’. The actor also appeared in the vampire series ‘From Dusk Till Dawn’. He consistently played authority figures with hidden agendas or dark sides.

Raúl Esparza

Esparza became a fan favorite as Assistant District Attorney Rafael Barba on ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’. He brought a sharp wit and theatrical flair to the courtroom drama for six seasons. The actor also played the chilling Dr. Frederick Chilton in the horror series ‘Hannibal’. His background in theater translated into commanding television performances.

Please share which actor from this list made the biggest impression on you in the comments.