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Five Inspiring Mid- to Late-Career Actors with Hispanic Identity

1. Jennifer Lopez

Portrait photograph of the actor Jennifer Lopez.
Jennifer Lopez. Headshot. Biography.com  https://go.iu.edu/4Ahp

Jennifer Lopez, also known as J. Lo, is an American singer, dancer, and actress of Puerto Rican descent who has found success in a wide array of endeavors in the entertainment industry. Making her childhood dreams of fame a reality, Lopez had her first experience with film at the young age of 16 in 1986. Things moved like wildfire after that and she became one of the biggest names in the entertainment industry. She is now the highest-paid Latina actor in Hollywood history and shows no signs of stopping after releasing Marry Me in early 2022. Some of her other most notable films include Hustlers, Second Act, and The Boy Next Door.

“As Latinos, we really have to understand that the world is ours and that we matter and that we have worth and value . . . this is your world too and you should reach as high as you want to reach and go for whatever you want to go for and nothing is out of the realm of possibility.”

Inspiring Jennifer Lopez Quotes. popsugar.com. 13 October 2022, https://go.iu.edu/4BgT

2. John Leguizamo

Portrait photograph of actor John Leguizamo
John Leguizamo. Headshot. IMBD.com. https://go.iu.edu/4Aht

John Leguizamo, who was born July 22, 1960, is an Columbian actor, comedian, and film producer. Born in Bogotá, Columbia, Leguizamo’s family later emigrated to New York, where he had trouble fitting in but found comfort in film and theatre. He wrote jokes and used comedy in an attempt to avoid being bullied. After graduating high school he pursued a career in theatre; however, he dropped out to focus on stand-up comedy at a local night club in NY. This was the start of his amazing, decades-long career, and nowadays he is known for his roles in films such as Ice Age, Encanto, and Spawn.

“I see the new Latin artist as a pioneer, opening up doors for others to follow. And when they don’t open, we crowbar our way in.”

John Leguizamo. brainyquote.com. 13 October 2022, https://go.iu.edu/4BgU

3. Esai Morales

Portrait photograph of actor Esai Morales
Esai Morales. Headshot. Tvinsider.com https://go.iu.edu/4Ai6

Esai Morales is an American actor who was born in New York of Puerto Rican descent. Morales was born October 1, 1962 and began his acting career at the School of Performing Arts in Manhattan. He has acted in a number of different films starting with his role in the movie Forty Deuce in 1983. He has received numerous prestigious awards and is one of the founders of the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts. Some of his most famous films include La Bamba, My Family, and Gun Hill Road.

4. Andy García

Portrait photograph of actor Andy Garcia
Andy Garcia. Headshot. Tvinsider.com https://go.iu.edu/4Ai9

Andy García, who was born on April 12, 1956, is a Cuban-American actor and director . His family moved to Florida when he was only five year old due to the Bay of Pigs Invasion in Cuba. He played basketball his whole life and an illness senior year caused him to explore film and eventually pursue a career in acting. He began acting at Florida International University and upon graduating decided to move to Hollywood. His first major breakthrough film was a role in the movie The Untouchables. Since then he has been in many different films and has receives awards such as the Academy Award nomination for the Best Supporting Actor and even a Primetime Emmy Award. His most famous films include The Mule, Wrath of Man, and Passengers.

5. Eva Longoria

Portrait photograph of actress Eva Longoria
Eva Longoria. Headshot. IMBD.com https://go.iu.edu/4Ais

Eva Longoria is an American actress, producer, and director. She was born in Corpus Christi, Texas on March 15, 1975. She was the youngest of four siblings and the daughter of two hardworking Mexican-American parents. Since a very young age, she had an extremely strong work ethic and wanted to do whatever she could to help her parents. Longoria at first got her Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. It wasn’t until she entered a talent show in LA that she started becoming interested in a career that consisted of film. She was signed by a theatrical agent and started auditioning for roles, her first one being in the popular tv series Beverly Hills, 90210. Since then, she has starred in many more tv series and films and has received awards such as a Golden Globe Award nomination and the ALMA Award. Some of her most famous films include Overboard, Boss Baby, and Dora and the Lost City of Gold.


Sam Bull is a freshmen studying biology. This is his first semester working at media services and he loves it!


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