Yahoo Lifestyle 26 Latine Actors At The Start Of Their Careers Vs. Now
Latine actors have played a vital role in shaping the film and television industry.
Their works have significantly enhanced diversity and inclusivity on screen, paving the way for more authentic representations.
In honor of Latine Heritage Month, take a look at these exceptional Latine actors, their first major roles, and their recent projects:
1.Alice Braga
Alice has been acting since 1998, starting with her role in the Portuguese-language short film Trampolim.
Some of Alice's notable roles include City of God (2002), I Am Legend (2007), Predators (2010), The Rite (2011), Elysium (2013), Soul (2020), and The Suicide Squad (2021). She also appeared in the TV crime series Queen of the South (2016–2021). Her most recent role was in the TV series Dark Matter (2024), where she portrayed the character Amanda Lucas.
Jennifer Lopez is an actress and singer and has been acting since 1986. Her first significant role was in the film My Family (1995).
Jennifer's notable films include Selena (1997), Anaconda (1997), Out of Sight (1998), The Wedding Planner (2001), Maid in Manhattan (2002), Shall We Dance? (2004), Monster-in-Law (2005), and Hustlers (2019). Her latest album and narrative-driven film, This Is Me... Now (2024), is based on her career journey and love life.
3.Michael Peña
Michael Peña has been acting since 1994. His first role was as Bunk in Running Free (1994).
Michael has starred in notable films such as Crash (2004), American Hustle (2013), Ant-Man (2015), Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018), Cesar Chavez (2014), and Narcos: Mexico (2018). His latest role was in A Million Miles Away (2023), starring as Jose.
4.John Leguizamo
John Leguizamo has been acting since 1984 when he first starred in the film Mixed Blood (1984) as Macetero.
John's notable film roles include Super Mario Bros. (1993), Carlito's Way (1993), Romeo + Juliet (1996), Moulin Rouge! (2001), Empire (2002), The Lincoln Lawyer (2011), The Counselor (2013), John Wick (2014), The Menu (2022), and Encanto (2021). His most recent role was in the TV series The Green Veil (2024), where he plays the role of Gordon Rogers.
5.Zoe Saldaña
Zoe Saldaña has been acting since 1992. Her first big role was in the movie Center Stage (2000), where she played a ballet dancer.
Zoe's latest role is in the upcoming film Emilia Pérez (2024), which will be released in November 2024. In this film, she plays Rita Moro Castro.
6.Penélope Cruz
Penélope Cruz first started acting in 1989; her breakout role was in the film Jamón, Jamón (1992), starring as Silvia.
Penelope's notable films include Live Flesh (1997), All About My Mother (1999), Vanilla Sky (2001), Blow (2001), Volver (2006), Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008), Nine (2009), Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011), The Counselor (2013), Murder on the Orient Express (2017), and Everybody Knows (2018). Her latest role was in the movie Ferrari (2023), starring as Laura Ferrari.
7.Michelle Rodriguez
Michelle Rodriguez first started acting in 2000, appearing in the movie Girlfight (2000), where she starred as Diana Guzman.
Michelle's notable films include the Fast & Furious franchise, Resident Evil (2002), S.W.A.T. (2003), Avatar (2009), Battle: Los Angeles (2011), and the TV series Lost (2005–2006; 2009–2010). Her most recent role is as Letty in Fast X (2023).
8.Diego Luna
Diego Luna first started acting in 1982. He landed a role as Luis in El Abuelo y yo (1992).
Diego's notable roles include Y tu mamá también (2001), Frida (2002), Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004), The Terminal (2004), and Narcos: Mexico (2018). His latest role is playing Cassian Andor in the TV series Andor (2022).
9.Rachel Zegler
Rachel Zegler's first significant role was as Maria in West Side Story (2021).
Rachel has since starred in Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023) and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023). Her latest role was as Laura in Y2K (2024).
10.Sofía Vergara
Sofía's debut role was as Irasema in Acapulco, cuerpo y alma (1995).
Sofía Vergara began her acting career in 1995 and is known for her portrayal of Gloria Delgado-Pritchett in Modern Family (2009–2020). Her most recent work was the voice of Valentina in Despicable Me 4 (2024).
11.Edgar Ramírez
Edgar Ramirez has been acting since 1990, first appearing as Suave in the TV series Cuando llega el amor (1990).
Edgar's notable films include The Bourne Ultimatum (2007), Carlos (2010), Zero Dark Thirty (2012), and Hands of Stone (2016). His most recent role was starring as Atlas in Borderlands (2024).
12.Roselyn Sánchez
Roselyn Sánchez has been acting since 1992. Her first role was as Clarise in Captain Ron (1992).
Roselyn's most recent role was in the movie Wallbanger (2024), starring as Jillian.
13.Gina Rodriguez
Gina Rodriguez has been acting since 2005 when she first appeared as Rose in the series Jonny Zero.
Gina is known for her role in the series Jane the Virgin, which aired from 2014 to 2019. Her most recent acting job was as Nell Serrano in the series Not Dead Yet (2023–2024).
14.America Ferrera
America Ferrera has been acting since 2002. She starred as Ana Garcia in the film Real Women Have Curves (2002) and appeared in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005).
America has also appeared in the TV series Ugly Betty (2006–2010) and Superstore (2015–2021). In 2023, she starred in Barbie and also had a recent role as Jenny in Dumb Money (2023).
15.Oscar Isaac
Oscar Isaac has been acting since 1996 when he first starred as the Pool Boy in Illtown (1996).
Oscar's notable roles include A Most Violent Year (2014), Ex Machina (2014), X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), Operation Finale (2018), Show Me a Hero (2015), and Scenes from a Marriage (2021). His most recent role was voicing the character of Miguel O'Hara in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023).
16.Eva Longoria
Eva Longoria started acting in 2000; her breakout role was as Isabelle Braña in The Young and the Restless (2001).
In 2004, Eva starred as Gabrielle Solis in Desperate Housewives (2004–2012). Her latest role was in Only Murders in the Building (2024), starring as herself.
17.Pedro Pascal
Pedro Pascal has been acting since 1996 and has worked on two short films. His first TV role was on Good vs Evil in 1999.
Pedro's notable roles include Game of Thrones (2014), Narcos (2015–2017), The Equalizer 2 (2018), Triple Frontier (2019), The Mandalorian (2019), Wonder Woman 1984 (2020), The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022), and The Last of Us (2023). His most recent work was voicing the character of Fink in the film The Wild Robot (2024).
18.Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez began her acting career in 2002, with her first appearance in the TV show Barney & Friends (2002–2004).
Selena's notable roles include Wizards of Waverly Place (2007–2012), Another Cinderella Story (2008), Spring Breakers (2012), her cooking show Selena + Chef (2020–2023), and Only Murders in the Building (2021–present), where she portrays the character Mabel Mora.
19.Benicio Del Toro
Benicio Del Toro has been acting since 1987, starting with his role as Pedroza in Shell Game (1987).
Benicio is well-known for his performances in films such as Traffic (2000), 21 Grams (2003), The Usual Suspects (1995), and Sicario (2015). His latest role was as Tom Nichols in the movie Reptile (2023).
20.Eva Mendes
Eva Mendes has been acting since 1998. Her debut was in the TV series ER (1998), where she played Donna.
Eva's notable roles include Urban Legends: Final Cut (2000), Training Day (2001), 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003), Hitch (2005), Ghost Rider (2007), and Girl in Progress (2012). Her most recent role was in the animated TV series Bluey (2021), where she voices the Yoga Instructor.
21.Jenna Ortega
Jenna Ortega has been acting since 2012. Her first significant role was as the Vice President's Daughter in Iron Man 3 (2013), but she gained notoriety in the TV series Jane the Virgin (2014), where she played Young Jane.
Jenna's notable roles include You (2019), The Fallout (2021), Wednesday (2022), Scream (2022), X (2022), and Scream VI (2023). Her latest role is in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024), where she plays Astrid Deetz.
22.Rita Moreno
Rita Moreno has been acting since 1950, starring as Dolores Guerrero in So Young, So Bad.
Rita's notable roles include Singin' in the Rain (1952), West Side Story (1961), Popi (1969), Carnal Knowledge (1971), The Four Seasons (1981), Slums of Beverly Hills (1998), My Father's Dragon (2022), and Fast X (2023). Her most recent role was in the animated TV series Princess Power (2023–2024), voicing the character of Great Aunt Bussyboots.
23.Andy Garcia
Andy Garcia has been acting since 1978, first appearing in the TV series ¿Qué pasa, U.S.A.? as Pepe.
Andy's notable roles include The Untouchables (1987), Stand and Deliver (1988), Internal Affairs (1990), The Godfather Part III (1990), Desperate Measures (1998), Ocean's Twelve (2004), Ocean's Thirteen (2007), and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018). His most recent role was in the film What About Love (2024), portraying the character Peter Tarlton.
24.Becky G
Becky G is a singer and actress. She started acting in 2008, making her first appearance in the short film El Tux (2008).
Becky G's notable roles include Empire (2015) and Power Rangers (2017). Her most recent role was in Blue Beetle (2023), where she voices Khaji-Da.
25.Wilmer Valderrama
Wilmer Valderrama has been acting since 1998, starting with his role as Antonio in the TV series Four Corners.
Wilmer's notable roles include That '70s Show (1998–2006), From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series (2014–2016), Beauty Shop (2005), Unaccompanied Minors (2006), Larry Crowne (2011), Charming (2018), and a recurring role in NCIS (2016–present) where he portrays Nick Torres.
26.Danny Trejo
Danny Trejo has been acting since 1983. His film career started in 1985 with Runaway Train, where he played the Boxer.
Danny's notable roles include Desperado (1995), Heat (1995), From Dusk Till Dawn (1996), Con Air (1997), The Replacement Killers (1998), Reindeer Games (2000), and Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003). His most recent role was in the animated TV series Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2024), where he voiced Mustang Sally.
Who is your favorite Latine actor? Let me know in the comments.
