Salma Hayek

Salma Hayek full name is: Salma Hayek Jimenez. She was born on September 2, 1966 in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, México. The origin of her name comes from her fathers' parents from Lebanon and her mothers' parents are Spanish. Her father was born in Lebanon and came to Mexico to start a small business where he met Salma's mother.

Her first opportunity was on a theatrical production on 1988, ALADINO Y LA LAMPARA MARAVILLOSA .

In 1989 she made her first telenovela NUEVO AMANECER .This was her first tele-novela. On 1990 she gave her the leading role on TERESA . Her first opportunity was on 1993 on a movie called MI VIDA LOCA . This movie was directed by Allison Anders, on this movie she acted like Gata, one of the leading role girlfriends.

After MI VIDA LOCA she made special appearances on the series SINBAD , DREAM ON and NURSES . On 1994 she returned to Mexico to make an special appearance on the telenovela EL VUELO DEL AGUILA . Also in 1994 she filmed EL CALLEJON DE LOS MILAGROS .This was her first movie on Mexico, on this movie she played Alma an elegant prostitute. On 1995 she filmed DESPERADO . This was her big opportunity on Hollywood cause this was a big studio movie, and she acted with Antonio Banderas. She played Carolina.

In 1995 she acted on FOUR ROOMS , on the Robert Rodriguez segment "The Misbehavers" , she made a special appearance like a Porno dancer. Also on 1995 she acted on FAIR GAME , on this movie she acted with Cindy crawford like Baldwin´s girlfriend, she has only a small role. On 1996 she filmed FROM DUSK TILL DAWN with Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino, she only made a dance with a snake as the vampire Santanico Pandemonium.

In1996 she acted on FLED with Laurence Fishburne and Stephen Baldwin, she played Cora the heroine of the movie On 1996 she filmed FOOLS RUSH IN , on this movie she played Isabel Fuentes , the mexican woman that was the love interest of Mathew Perry role. This movie was her big opportunity, cause this was the first time that she have the leading role on a big studio movie.

1997 was really a hard year for Salma Hayek , she filmed BREAKING UP with Russell Crowe, She made a special apppearance on Lucy Orozco telenovela GENTE BIEN , She acted on an Independent movie called FOLLOW ME HOME , and she filmed THE HUNCHBACK, on this movie she acted like Esmeralda, enough things for only one year.

In September 1997 she filmed an Independent movie called THE VELOCITY OF GARY, on this movie she played the girlfriend of a man that have aids and that want to spent his last days with his girlfriend and his gay lover.

In October 1997 she filmed 54, on this movie she acted with SCREAM actress Neve Campbell, this movie was filmed on Toronto and New York.

In in 1998 she filmed DOGMA, with director Kevin Smith, and acted with Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and Linda Fiorentino.

In April 1998 she filmed a movie called LA FRIDA, This was a Biographical Movie about Frida Kahlo´s life, and on this movie Salma had the opportunity to be a a co-producer.

In 2002 she gained a wide respect and finally proved herself a serious actress with the title role in 'Frida' which she also co-produced. Hayek's passionate portrayal of the legendary Mexican painter Frida Kahlo garnered her an Academy Award nomination and with it became the first Latin American actress to do so. In the same year she expanded her horizons when she directed her first movie for Showtime called 'The Maldonado miracle' starring Peter Fonda and Mare Winningham.

In 2003 Salma starred again opposite Antonio Banderas in the blockbuster 'Once upon a time in Mexico' which was a sequel to 'Desperado'.

Currently Salma is working on numerous productions including 'After the sunset' opposite Pierce Brosnan which is scheduled for release in late 2004.