- Rita Moreno is an illustrious figure in the entertainment industry. Born on December 11, 1931, in Humacao, Puerto Rico, as Rosa Dolores Alverío Marcano, she moved to New York City at a tender age of five. Her journey from a young immigrant girl to a global icon is a testament to her resilience and determination. Moreno's early interest in dance led her to take lessons, which eventually paved the way for her Broadway debut at just 13 years old. Moreno's career spans more than seven decades, encompassing theater, television, film, and music. She is one of the few artists to have won all four major American entertainment awards: an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony, also known as the coveted EGOT. Moreno's breakthrough came with her Oscar-winning performance in the 1961 film West Side Story. Despite facing typecasting and discrimination in Hollywood due to her Puerto Rican heritage, Moreno persevered, breaking barriers for Latino actors. Off-screen, Moreno has been equally impactful. She has been a vocal advocate for civil rights and has used her platform to address issues such as racial and gender inequality. In 2004, Moreno was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, in recognition of her contributions to the arts and her service to the community. Rita Moreno's enduring legacy continues to inspire generations of performers and activists alike.
- Birthplace: Humacao, Puerto Rico
- Nationality: United States of America, Puerto Rico
- Ricky Martin, born Enrique Martín Morales on December 24, 1971, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is a globally recognized singer, actor, and author who has made considerable contributions to the music industry. He began his career at a tender age, joining the all-boy pop group Menudo at just twelve years old. His five-year tenure with Menudo launched him into the limelight, paving the way for his subsequent solo career which would solidify his status as an international superstar. In 1991, Martin released his eponymous debut solo album, the success of which led to a string of albums that were well-received across Latin America and Spain. However, it was his 1999 English-language album, also titled Ricky Martin, that catapulted him into global stardom. The album featured the hit single "Livin' la Vida Loca", which topped various charts worldwide and is widely credited with leading the late '90s Latin pop explosion. Over the course of his career, he has sold over 70 million albums and has won numerous awards, including multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards. Beyond his musical career, Ricky Martin has also made significant strides in acting and writing. He starred in the American television soap opera General Hospital and the Broadway revival of Evita. Additionally, he authored a children's book titled Santiago the Dreamer in Land Among the Stars, inspired by his own experiences as a child. Despite his numerous professional achievements, Martin remains committed to philanthropic efforts. He established the Ricky Martin Foundation, which advocates for the wellbeing of children around the world.
- Birthplace: San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Nationality: United States of America, Spain, Puerto Rico
- Roselyn Sánchez is a multitalented Puerto Rican artist. She was born on April 2, 1973 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. From a young age, she demonstrated her passion for the arts through dancing and acting. Her initial fame arose from her crowning as Miss Puerto Rico Petite in 1993 and Miss American Petite in 1994, paving the way for her future journey in show business. Sánchez's acting career soared to prominence in the late 1990s with key roles in acclaimed films and television series. She played pivotal characters in movies like Rush Hour 2 and The Game Plan, cementing her status as a versatile actress. On television, she is best known for her performance in the hit series Without a Trace for which she received several award nominations. Her portrayal of Carmen Luna in the popular show Devious Maids further highlighted her talent and versatility. Apart from acting, Sánchez is also recognized for her singing prowess. She launched her music career in 2003 with the release of her debut album Borinqueña. The album was well-received and spawned the hit single "Amor Amor". A testament to her multifaceted persona, Sánchez has also dabbled in writing, co-authoring the children's book Sebi and the Land of Cha Cha Cha.
- Birthplace: San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Nationality: United States of America, Puerto Rico
- Luis Guzmán is a renowned Puerto Rican actor. Born in Cayey, Puerto Rico, on August 28, 1956, he grew up in Manhattan's East Harlem where he developed an early interest in acting. After graduating from City College of New York, Guzmán embarked on a career as a social worker, but the lure of the stage proved too strong to resist. His professional acting career started in the late 1970s when he began performing in street theater and independent films. Guzmán's breakthrough came in the 1980s when he landed a role in the crime drama Miami Vice. His portrayal of diverse characters in various genres established him as a versatile actor. His distinctive look and raw talent caught the attention of renowned directors like Steven Soderbergh and Paul Thomas Anderson. He collaborated with them on several critically acclaimed films such as Out of Sight, The Limey, Boogie Nights, and Magnolia. Guzmán's performances in these films garnered him significant recognition, establishing him as a mainstay in the world of cinema. Despite his success in film, Guzmán never strayed far from his roots in television. He has appeared in numerous TV shows including Oz, How to Make It in America, and Narcos. His performance in the medical drama Code Black was highly praised and further cemented his status as a versatile actor capable of handling both comedic and dramatic roles. Regardless of the medium, Guzmán's presence on screen is always compelling, bringing depth and authenticity to every character he portrays. His journey from a social worker in East Harlem to a celebrated figure in Hollywood serves as an inspiration for many aspiring actors.
- Birthplace: Cayey, Puerto Rico
- Nationality: United States of America, Puerto Rico
- Benicio del Toro, a Puerto Rican-born actor, has built a remarkable career in the entertainment industry. Born on February 19, 1967, in San German, Puerto Rico, he moved to Pennsylvania in his early teens following the death of his mother. There, del Toro's interest in acting was piqued, leading him to attend the University of California, San Diego, where he honed his skills in theater and drama. After graduation, he moved to New York to study under the prestigious Stella Adler Studio of Acting, marking the start of his journey in Hollywood. Del Toro's breakthrough came with his role in The Usual Suspects (1995), for which he won an Independent Spirit Award. He continued to impress audiences and critics alike with his performances in films such as Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998), Snatch (2000), and 21 Grams (2003). However, it was his portrayal of Javier Rodriguez in Traffic (2000) that earned him widespread recognition. His riveting performance as a Mexican police officer entangled in the drug trade not only won him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor but also made him the third Puerto Rican actor to win an Oscar. Beyond his cinematic success, del Toro has used his platform to advocate for social issues. He has been involved in numerous charitable endeavors, particularly focusing on humanitarian aid for Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. His commitment to activism, coupled with his exceptional acting skills, has cemented his status as one of the most influential figures in contemporary cinema.
- Birthplace: San Germán, United States, with Territories
- Nationality: Spain, Puerto Rico
- 1The Usual Suspects108 Votes
- 2Traffic100 Votes
- 3Snatch92 Votes
- Broadway actor-director-producer whose noteworthy stage performances include Iago to Paul Robeson's "Othello" (1942), a Tony-winning "Cyrano de Bergerac" (1946) and the prince in the Noel Coward musical, "The Girl Who Came to Supper" (1964).
- Birthplace: Santurce, Puerto Rico
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
- Actor Bruce Gray has worked extensively in television, feature films, and on the stage. A natural ability to thrive among dramatic ensembles prompted Gray to make his first foray into television as a dependable player on such sudsy daytime melodramas as "All My Children," "The Edge of Night," and "The Young and the Restless" throughout the 1980s. The following decade, the stately yet versatile performer went from soap operas to space operas (and otherwise hard sci-fi) as all manner of otherworldly citizens and high-ranking officials, appearing on such mythology-driven cult hits as "Babylon 5," "Star Trek: The Next Generation," "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," and "Stargate SG-1." Gray may be a familiar face thanks to his many guest appearances on both daytime and prime-time TV, but Canadian audiences probably know him best from his long-running stint on the popular serial drama "Traders," a show about the ups and downs that go on within the fast-paced environment of an investment bank. He made a splash in American pop cinema with a rare big-screen role as the father of the groom in the 2002 comedic sleeper blockbuster "My Big Fat Greek Wedding." Gray has continued to widely alternate between lofty types and sensible patriarchs with recurring roles on series such as the Showtime's "Queer as Folk" and the psychic/mystery drama "Medium."
- Birthplace: San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Nationality: Canada, Puerto Rico
- Carlos Ponce is a singer and actor who has successfully transitioned from Spanish-language television to a distinctive Hollywood career in comedies like "Couples Retreat" and the TV series "7th Heaven." A Puerto Rican-American of Cuban descent, Ponce was a successful child actor in Puerto Rico, appearing in television commercials, and he continued to act once his family immigrated to Miami. In his teen years he was offered a chat-show job by the television station Univision. After that ended he dabbled in Spanish-language soap opera work and hosted another show for Univision while launching a singing career; his self-titled debut album topped the Latin Billboard charts for a total of nine weeks in 1998. Meanwhile, he launched a career in Hollywood, appearing on prime-time television dramas until he became a correspondent for "Entertainment Tonight" in 2003. From here he began to win bigger film roles, memorably as Rodrigo in the broad Rob Schneider comedy "Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo" and as Jessica Biel's characters husband on the later years of the religious family drama "7th Heaven." This role, along with a notable gig hosting the 2006 Miss Universe pageant, led to work as a suave neighbor in the Lindsay Lohan teen comedy "Just My Luck" and as the sexy instructor Salvadore in the Vince Vaughn comedy "Couples Retreat" in 2009. Throughout his career Ponce has released a number of albums and produced several hit Latin radio singles while balancing a family and steady work as a character actor.
- Birthplace: Santurce, Puerto Rico
- Nationality: United States of America, Puerto Rico
- Dayanara Torres Delgado (born October 28, 1974) is a Puerto Rican actress, singer, model, writer and beauty queen who won Miss Universe 1993. Torres was discovered at age 17 while walking through the Plaza de Toa Alta in her hometown, and was invited to represent Villalba in the annual Miss Puerto Rico pageant. She won the pageant and the right to represent Puerto Rico in the 1993 Miss Universe pageant. In 1992, she participated in the Miss International pageant and became a semi-finalist. The same year, she earned second place at the Queen of the World contest. Torres won the crown in the Miss Universe pageant held in Mexico in May 1993. Torres' victory in the pageant caused some controversy because of the claim that she was still a minor; however, Torres had turned 18 several months before the contest. Her victory also raised some eyebrows, as she did not top any of the pageant's segments. When Torres returned home to Puerto Rico, she was received with a parade. During and after her reign as Miss Universe, she became an ambassador for UNICEF, traveling through Asia and Latin America in support of the organization. She created the Dayanara Torres Foundation which has provided scholarships to poor students in Puerto Rico and the Philippines. In 1994, she went to Manila to crown the new Miss Universe and during the ceremony, she sang "A Whole New World" as a duet with Peabo Bryson.
- Birthplace: San Juan, United States, with Territories
- Nationality: United States of America, Puerto Rico
- A magnetic presence on both stage and screen, actor Raul Julia electrified audiences with the intensity of his performances in a wide variety of roles, from the malevolent Mack the Knife in "The Threepenny Opera" and the impassioned political prisoner in "Kiss of the Spider Woman" to the ghoulish Gomez Addams in "The Addams Family" (1991). He was born Raul Rafael Julia y Arcelay in Floral Park, a suburb of San Juan, Puerto Rico, on March 9, 1940, the son of a former opera singer and an electrical engineer turned successful restaurateur. His family's prosperity allowed Julia to enjoy a world-class education at the private Catholic school Colegio Espiritu Santo, where he also gave his first stage performance as the Devil. The experience, along with a viewing of Errol Flynn in "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1938), convinced Julia to pursue a career in acting, and he continued to act in and produce school productions at Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola and later, the University of Puerto Rico. His parents, however, wanted him to study law, and he indulged their wishes with a year at Fordham University in New York before returning to Puerto Rico and resuming his acting aspirations. He worked steadily in a variety of showcases, from classical theater to musical acts and television programs before deciding to relocate to the United States on the advice of actor Orson Bean, who saw Julia perform while on vacation in Puerto Rico. Julia arrived in New York City in 1964, and after a period of training and odd jobs for financial support, began appearing Off-Broadway in classical and modern productions. While performing poetry in 1967, Julia gained the attention of New York Shakespeare Festival founder Joseph Papp, who made him stage manager for a production of "Hamlet" and also cast him in several other plays. By 1969, Julia had moved up to starring roles on Broadway in The Cuban Thing and Arthur Kopit's Indians, as well as leads for the New York Shakespeare Festival, most notably in a 1972 production of "Two Gentlemen of Verona," for which he earned his first Tony nomination. During this period, Julia also began appearing in feature films, including "The Panic in Needle Park" (1971) and "The Organization" (1971), and on four episodes of the PBS educational series "Sesame Street" (1969- ) as Raul the Fix-It Man. The stage, however, remained his primary showcase during this period, and Julia would earn two more Tony nominations for a 1974 production of "Where's Charley?" and as Mack the Knife in "The Threepenny Opera" in 1976. In 1978, he drew critical praise for his turn as Count Dracula in the Tony-winning revival of Hamilton Deane's play and as Petruchio opposite Meryl Streep in "The Taming of the Shrew." His film career finally began to flourish in the mid-1980s with his Golden Globe-nominated turn as a political prisoner in Hector Babenco's "Kiss of the Spider Woman"; the success of the film and praise for his performance led to appearances a string of major studio pictures, including a savvy detective in Frank Perry's "Compromising Positions" (1985), Jane Fonda's hairdresser husband in "The Morning After" (1986), a conniving politician who convinces Richard Dreyfuss to impersonate a Latin dictator in "Moon Over Parador" (1988), a Mexican federal officer in Robert Towne's "Tequila Sunrise" (1988) and Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero in "Romero" (1989). Julia also enjoyed substantive roles on television, most notably as Aristotle Onassis in "Onassis: The Richest Man in the World" (ABC, 1986), but he was perhaps best known to most moviegoers as the exuberant and macabre Gomez Addams in Barry Sonnenfeld's big-screen adaptation of "The Addams Family" (1991). A costly and stressful production for most of its cast and crew - Julia burst a blood vessel in his eye during filming - "Addams" was a sizable hit, and generated a modestly popular sequel, "Addams Family Values" (1993). The latter film would prove to be the last feature released during Julia's lifetime; according to various sources, Julia's health began to decline due to stomach cancer or an infection in the early 1990s, causing him to experience considerable weight loss and weakness. Despite his condition, he remained active on stage, appearing in a 1992 Broadway production of "Man of La Mancha," in the HBO drama "The Burning Season," and in the Jean-Claude Van Damme action vehicle "Street Fighter." He completed his final screen role as a Central American military torturer in hiding in "Down Came a Blackbird" (Showtime, 1995) two weeks before being hospitalized for intense abdominal pain on October 16, 1994. He suffered a stroke that evening and fell into a coma before succumbing to complications from the stroke on October 24, 1994. His body was flown to Puerto Rico for a state funeral before thousands of mourners, while actors in New York paid tribute at the Joseph Papp Public Theater. For his performance in "The Burning Season," Julia was posthumously awarded an Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Award.
- Birthplace: San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
- Throughout his Hollywood career, Don Omar had a variety of powerful musical performances. He has appeared in multiple installments of the adrenaline-pumping "Fast & Furious" franchise, including roles in "Fast & Furious" (2009), "Fast & Furious 6" (2013) and "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift" (2006).
- Birthplace: Carolina, Puerto Rico
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
- Daddy Yankee worked on a variety of projects during his entertainment career. Yankee's music was featured in "Fast Food Nation" (2006). Later, Yankee acted in "Cane" (CBS, 2007-08) and "Talento de Barrio" (2008). Yankee's music was most recently featured in the romantic comedy "Cuban Fury" (2014) with Nick Frost.
- Birthplace: San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
- A former New York City police officer-turned-actor, David Zayas developed into a fine character performer in films, on television and on stage. While usually typecast as one form of police officer or another, Zayas did spread his wings on occasion, usually on stage and in low-budget features. He did over 30 plays off-Broadway for a local theater group, while at the same time, building his resume by guest starring on prominent television shows. Eventually, he landed his first regular role on the ill-fated procedural "The Beat" (UPN, 1999-2000), then made viewers take notice with his portrayal of a cold, calculating gang leader in the acclaimed prison series "Oz" (HBO, 1997-2003). But it was his turn as a good-hearted, but ultimately too-trusting homicide detective on "Dexter" (Showtime, 2006-13) that truly propelled his career, turning Zayas from typecast beat cop to strong supporting player.
- Birthplace: Puerto Rico
- Nationality: United States of America, Puerto Rico
- Amaury Nolasco was a pre-med student in his native country of Puerto Rico when, after being recruited by a director for a commercial role, he decided to relocate to New York to pursue acting. After enrolling at the American British Dramatic Arts School, he landed a guest role on the HBO sitcom "Arli$$." Nolasco's chiseled good looks and obvious Latino background made him an easy choice for gritty urban roles and baseball movies--he followed "Arli$$" with walk-on parts in "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," "ER," and "CSI: NY." He was also a regular cast member on the Fox series "Prison Break." While primarily sticking to action films like "2 Fast 2 Furious" and "Transformers," Nolasco has also had the opportunity to dabble in comedy. He worked with Bernie Mac in "Mr. 3000" and Rob Schneider and David Spade in "The Benchwarmers." He was invited to reprise the character of Fig in the sequel to "Transformers," but had already committed to the police drama series "Southland" and "Chase." By 2011, Nolasco's star was on the rise, as he received high billing in the film adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson's novel "The Rum Diary" alongside stars Johnny Depp and Aaron Eckhart. The following year, Nolasco starred in the controversial cross-dressing sitcom "Work It," playing a man forced to masquerade as a woman to get a job. The show drew ire from LGBT groups and was cancelled after just two episodes.
- Birthplace: San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
- Ismael "East" Carlo is an actor who appeared in "Murder, She Wrote," "Patch Adams," and "Santa Barbara."
- Birthplace: Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
- Franky G is an actor who appeared in "Manito," "Saw 2," and "36 Saints."
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Nationality: United States of America
- This hard-working character actor has appeared in numerous films and TV shows since the mid-1980s, often in Hispanic or Italian roles. Born in Puerto Rico but raised in Manhattan, Calderon got his start onstage after a stint in the Army. His off-Broadway shows have included "Short Eyes," "The Trial of Sgt. Deluca," "Richard III," and "First Breeze of Summer." He appeared with Robert De Niro off- and on Broadway in "Cuba and His Teddy Bear" in 1986, and earned critical attention for two productions at NYC's The Public Theatre: the one-act boxing drama "Blade to the Heat" (1994), as the fallen champion, and a controversial production of "Troilus and Cressida"(1995), as a hard-rock Achilles. A member of the Actor's Studio, Calderon also co-founded the INTAR LAB company.
- Birthplace: Puerto Rico
- Nationality: United States of America, Puerto Rico
- A relative unknown prior to 2009, Ramon Rodriguez suddenly broke out with prominent roles in a string of big-budget films and a high-profile television series at the turn of the decade. Rodriguez began his career on series television, landing recurring roles on several acclaimed series, including "Rescue Me" (FX, 2004-2011) and "The Wire" (HBO, 2002-08). Though the young actor had a shot as a regular performer on "Day Break" (ABC, 2006), the action series was canceled before he could gain recognition for himself. A true renaissance man, Rodriquez also made his mark in sports as the founder of Project Playground, a touring basketball performance group, as well as in music, as a member of the Abakua Latin Dance Company, making him one of the more unique and gifted performers to emerge in some time. With his back-to-back appearances in "The Taking of Pelham 123" (2009) and "Transformers: Rise of the Fallen" (2009), Rodriguez was suddenly a hot commodity in Hollywood. He followed with a co-starring turn in "Battle: Los Angeles" (2011) prior to landing a regular spot as Bosley on the "Charlie's Angels" (ABC, 2011- ) reboot. Multi-talented, handsome and ambitious, Rodriguez possessed all the requisite tools necessary for the lengthy career that awaited him.
- Birthplace: Río Piedras, Puerto Rico
- Nationality: United States of America, Puerto Rico
- Osvaldo Ríos Alonso (born October 25, 1960 in Carolina, Puerto Rico) is a Puerto Rican actor, model, singer, and guitarist, who is best known for his roles in telenovelas. He has appeared in several soap operas, including Abrazame muy Fuerte, Kassandra and the 1996 version of La Viuda de Blanco.
- Birthplace: Carolina, United States, with Territories
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
Ramón Luis Franco is a film and television actor. He was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico and resides in Los Angeles. Franco is most well known for his role in the Vietnam Series Tour of Duty where he played Alberto Ruiz. He also appeared in Clint Eastwood's movie Heartbreak Ridge in 1986 as Private Aponte. He is currently acting in the TV series The Bridge as Mexican cartel leader Fausto Galván.- Birthplace: United States, with Territories, Caguas
- Nationality: United States of America
- Rafael Antonio "Tony" Olivier (born May 12, 1958 in San Juan, Puerto Rico) is an American voice actor best known for voicing Rick Hunter from Robotech, Lancer from Fate/stay night and Arsène Lupin III from Lupin III. He helped produce the live action shows Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and VR Troopers.
- Birthplace: San Juan, United States, with Territories
- Nationality: United States of America, Puerto Rico
- Elmer Figueroa Arce (born June 28, 1968), better known under the stage name Chayanne, is a Puerto Rican Latin pop singer and actor. As a solo artist, Chayanne has released 21 solo albums and sold over 15 million albums worldwide.
- Birthplace: Río Piedras, Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
- Alba Giselle Blondet Gomez (born January 9, 1964) is a Puerto Rican actress and TV host. She also founded the non-profit organization "Fundación Arte por La Paz".
- Birthplace: San Juan, United States, with Territories
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
- Míriam Colón was one of Puerto Rico's most beloved actresses, enjoying a diverse career on both stage and screen. Born on August 20, 1936 in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Colón first became interested in acting while attending high school in Old San Juan. Thanks to her good grades, she was able to study her craft at both the Dramatic Workshop and Technical Institute and The Lee Strasburg Acting Studio in New York City. After making her film debut in the Puerto Rican film "Los Peloteros" (1953), Colón moved to New York City, where she auditioned for a spot in the Actors Studio, and was accepted into the group by its co-founder, Elia Kazan. In addition to appearances on the New York stage, Colón made many appearances on television, including guest spots on "Guiding Light" (CBS, 1952-2009), "Gunsmoke" (CBS, 1955-1975), "Bonanza" (NBC, 1959-1973), and "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" (CBS, 1955-1960;1962-1964/NBC, 1960-1962; 1964-1965). As the '60s drew to a close, Colón founded the Puerto Rican Traveling Theater, an off-Broadway touring theater company who focused on Latino voices and productions. Colón's best-known performance came in 1983, when she was cast as Mama Montana, mother to Cuban drug kingpin Tony Montana (Al Pacino) in Brian De Palma's remake of "Scarface" (1983). In 2014, Colón received the National Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama, shortly before filming what would be her final onscreen appearance: a cameo on the first season of the "Breaking Bad" (AMC, 2008-2013) spinoff "Better Call Saul" (AMC, 2015-). Míriam Colón died on March 3, 2017, due to complications from a pulmonary infection. She was 80 years old.
- Birthplace: Ponce, Puerto Rico
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
- Miguel Piñero (December 19, 1946 – June 16, 1988) was a playwright, actor and co-founder of the Nuyorican Poets Café. He was a leading member of the Nuyorican literary movement.
- Birthplace: Gurabo, United States, with Territories
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
- Shalim Ortiz is an actor and musician who has successfully leveraged his musical talents into a rapidly developing film career. The mustachioed and suave Ortiz is a recorded singer/songwriter who has also worked as a model. In 2002, he debuted on television both on the ABC Family music series "Hollywood 7" and an episode of the Disney Channel comedy "Lizzie McGuire." After going out on tour as a musician for a couple years--at one point, he spent two years focusing on his music while living in Spain--Ortiz had a breakthrough year in 2007, playing the recurring character Alejandro Herrera on the NBC sci-fi thriller "Heroes"; he also starred in two feature films, playing the title character in the Dominican Republic-produced drama "Yuniol" and playing the co-star in Dan Neira's music drama, "Spin," whose subject is a world that Ortiz knows extremely well: the Latino music scene of Miami. In 2008, he was part of the lead ensemble in the adventure film "The Art of Travel," about a young man who takes a solo "honeymoon" trip to Central America despite his wedding being aborted. At the end of the decade, Ortiz was cast in numerous films, including a role as the co-lead in the crime comedy "Silver Case," starring Eric Roberts and Seymour Cassel, and he reunited with director Neira as the star of the drama "Touched." Ortiz, whose father is a diabetic, is also a spokesperson for the American Diabetes Association, educating the Hispanic population about the disease.
- Birthplace: San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
- Armando Calvo (25 December 1919 – 6 July 1996) was a Spanish film actor. He was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. His father was Juan Calvo Domenech, a Spanish actor and his mother was Minerva Lespier, a Puerto Rican. Calvo worked in Spain, Italy, and Mexico appearing in ninety films between 1939 and 1984.
- Birthplace: San Juan, United States, with Territories
- Nationality: Spain, Puerto Rico
- Jerry Rivera (born July 31, 1973 ) is a Puerto Rican salsa singer and songwriter.
- Birthplace: Humacao, United States, with Territories
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
- Ivonne Coll Mendoza (born June 18, 1947) is a Puerto Rican actress. She was Miss Puerto Rico in 1967 and competed in the Miss Universe pageant the same year. She later became an actress, appearing in films such as The Godfather Part II and Lean on Me and television series including Switched at Birth and Teen Wolf. From 2014 to 2019, Coll starred as Alba Villanueva in the CW comedy-drama series Jane the Virgin.
- Birthplace: Fajardo, Puerto Rico
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
- Jacobo Morales (born 12 November 1934) is a Puerto Rican actor, poet, writer, playwright, filmmaker, and auteur. Many consider him the most influential film director in Puerto Rico's history.
- Birthplace: United States, with Territories, Lajas
- Nationality: United States of America, Puerto Rico
- Víctor Manuel Ruiz Velázquez (born September 27, 1968), known professionally as Víctor Manuelle, is a successful Latin Grammy nominated American salsa singer, known to his fans as El Sonero de la Juventud ("The Singer Of Youths"). He is identified primarily with salsa romantica or "salsa monga". Victor Manuel has neither recorded in English, nor made a Latin pop album, nor (with rare exceptions) ventured into acting, preferring to remain a musician grounded within salsa music. He recently surpassed Marc Anthony for the most number-one singles in the Billboard Tropical Songs chart.
- Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York
- Nationality: United States of America, Puerto Rico
- Zuleyka Jerrís Rivera Mendoza (born October 3, 1987) is a Puerto Rican actress, TV host, dancer, model and beauty queen who won the titles of Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2006 and Miss Universe 2006. She made her debut as a telenovela actress in Mexico's Telemundo's soap opera Dame Chocolate in 2007. She was featured in the music video for "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi, which with over 6 billion views is the current most viewed video on YouTube.
- Birthplace: Cayey, United States, with Territories
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
- Denise Marie Quiñones August (born 9 September 1980) is a Puerto Rican actress, model and beauty queen who is the fourth woman from Puerto Rico to win the Miss Universe contest. Prior to winning the Miss Universe pageant, she represented her hometown of Lares in the Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2001 pageant.Currently, Quinones serves as the national director for Miss Universe Puerto Rico.
- Birthplace: Ponce, Puerto Rico
- Nationality: United States of America, Puerto Rico
- Elvis Crespo Díaz (born July 30, 1971 in New York City) is a Puerto Rican born in New York. Grammy and Latin Grammy Award-winning merengue singer and songwriter.
- Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York
- Nationality: United States of America, Puerto Rico
- Jessie Camacho is a former contestant on the reality television show Survivor: Africa.
- Birthplace: Mayagüez, United States, with Territories
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
- Beloved child actor Armando Riesco started his entertainment career at the tender age of 13. Riesco began his acting career in film, appearing in such titles as the Edward Norton dramatic adaptation "25th Hour" (2002), the dramedy "Pieces of April" (2003) with Katie Holmes and the Natalie Portman dramatic comedy "Garden State" (2004). He also appeared in the Nicolas Cage blockbuster action film "National Treasure" (2004) and the Drew Barrymore romantic comedy "Fever Pitch" (2005). Riesco worked in television around the start of his acting career with a role on "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (2001-2011). He continued to act in productions like "World Trade Center" (2006) with Nicolas Cage, the Christian Bale drama "Harsh Times" (2006) and the Nicolas Cage blockbuster action picture "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" (2007). In the 2010s, Riesco lent his talents to projects like "Brooklyn's Finest" (2010) starring Richard Gere, "The Sitter" (2011) starring Jonah Hill and "Young Adult" (2011) starring Charlize Theron. His credits also expanded to "All is Bright" with Paul Giamatti (2013) and "Disconnect" with Jason Bateman (2013). Riesco most recently acted in the comedic drama "Adult World" (2014) with Emma Roberts.
- Birthplace: Mayaguez, Puerto Rico
- Nationality: United States of America, Puerto Rico
- Renoly Santiago (born March 15, 1974) is a Puerto Rican actor, singer and writer known for his appearances in films such as Dangerous Minds, Hackers and Con Air, and in television series such as Touched by an Angel and Law & Order: Criminal Intent.
- Birthplace: Lajas, Puerto Rico
- Nationality: United States of America, Puerto Rico
- Valery Milagros Ortiz (born August 1, 1984) is a Puerto Rican actress, dancer, singer, songwriter & author who is known for her role as Madison Duarte on the television series South of Nowhere, and for her role as Raquel Saldaña on VH1's Hit the Floor.
- Birthplace: San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
- Manoella Torres is an American-Mexican singer and actress of Puerto Rican descent based in Mexico who has had an extensive career that continues to this day. She has recorded over 350 songs by famous songwriters including Armando Manzanero, Juan Carlos Calderón, Juan Gabriel, Manuel Alejandro and Rafael Pérez Botija.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA
- Nationality: Puerto Rico, Mexico
- Mapita Cortés (August 4, 1939 – January 15, 2006 born Maria del Pilar Mercado Cordero in 1939 in San Juan, Puerto Rico – died in Mexico City), was a Puerto Rican actress of telenovelas and the cinema of Mexico. She is the mother of Mexican actor Luis Gatica, the wife of Lucho Gatica, the niece of Puerto Rican actress Mapy Cortés, and the niece in law of Mexican actor Fernando Cortés. Mapita Cortés is also the cousin of famous Paquito Cordero, two years her junior.
- Birthplace: Puerto Rico
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
- Eric Koston (born April 29, 1975) is an American professional skateboarder and company owner. He has been featured in the Tony Hawk's video game series, and the Electronic Arts (EA) video games Skate 2 and Skate 3. Koston co-owns both Fourstar Clothing (with Guy Mariano) and the skatepark/website "The Berrics" (with professional skateboarder Steve Berra).
- Birthplace: Thailand, Bangkok
- Nationality: Thailand, United States of America
- Natalie Amenula is an actor.
- Birthplace: Bayamón, United States, with Territories
- Nationality: United States of America
- Nick Rivera Caminero (born March 17, 1981), known professionally as Nicky Jam, is an American singer and actor. He is best known for hits such as "X", "Travesuras", "En la Cama", "Te Busco", "El Perdón", "Hasta el Amanecer", and "El Amante"; the latter three are from his 2017 album Fénix. He released the album Íntimo in 2019, which was a critical and commercial success. Nicky Jam has also acted in the films XXX: Return of Xander Cage (2017) and Bad Boys for Life (2020), and starred in and executive produced the Netflix biographical series Nicky Jam: El Ganador (2018).
- Birthplace: Lawrence, Massachusetts
- Nationality: American
- Paula Miranda is an actress.
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, USA, California
- Nationality: United States of America
- Miguel Ángel Suárez (July 5, 1939 – April 1, 2009) was a Puerto Rican soap opera and movie actor.
- Birthplace: San Juan, United States, with Territories
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
- Noelia Lorenzo Monge (born in San Juan), mostly known as Noelia, is a Puerto Rican pop singer who rose to fame in 1999. Her self-titled debut album was certified as a RIAA gold album in the United States. During her career she has had ten Latin Billboard Top 40 hits and Five Top 40 Billboard Dance/Club Play Songs. She is a Latin Billboard Award Winner.
- Birthplace: San Juan, United States, with Territories
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
- Dita de Leon is an American actress.
- Birthplace: Río Piedras, Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico
- Nationality: United States of America, Puerto Rico
- Milagros Ninette Corretjer Maldonado, known as Millie Corretjer (born April 18, 1974), is a Puerto Rican singer and actress. She is married to retired boxer Oscar De La Hoya. She is the granddaughter of influential poet and one-time Secretary General of the pro-independence Puerto Rican Nationalist Party Juan Antonio Corretjer.
- Birthplace: San Juan, United States, with Territories
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
- Lillian Hurst (born August 13, 1943) is a Puerto Rican actress and comedian, She made her debut as a television comedian in the early 1960s. She has worked in film, stage and television productions in the United States.
- Birthplace: San Juan, United States, with Territories
- Nationality: United States of America, Puerto Rico
- Marcelino Sánchez (December 5, 1957 – November 21, 1986) was an American actor from Puerto Rico best known for playing the character Rembrandt in the 1979 film The Warriors.
- Birthplace: Cayey, United States, with Territories
- Nationality: United States of America, Puerto Rico
- Joyce Giraud is an actress who appeared in "Tyler Perry's House of Payne," "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," and "Joey."
- Birthplace: Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
- Michelan Sisti is an actor who appeared in "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: the Secret of the Ooze," "Dinosaurs," and "Aliens in the Family."
- Birthplace: San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Nationality: United States of America, Puerto Rico
- Jaime Sánchez (born December 19, 1938) is a Puerto Rican stage, film and television actor, active since the 1950s.
- Birthplace: Rincon, Puerto Rico
- Nationality: United States of America, Puerto Rico
- Efraín López Neris is a Sephardi Puerto Rican actor, producer and cinematographer that has had a long trajectory in Puerto Rico's national artistic scene. Born in Caguas in April 1937, he had his start in Puerto Rican television in the 1960s by joining the cast of various comedy shows. Among his memorable television characters, "Don Florito" parodied great opera singers and operatic arias, a concept that predated that of Adam Sandler's Opera Man by at least fifteen years. His "Candido" had López portray an extremely naive married man who placed too much confidence in his wife and their mutual house painter friend ("mi amigo, el pintor"), whose profession led quite well to dozens of double entendres about his wife's proclivities, acknowledged by everyone but himself. Perhaps his "Don Lolo" character was his most popular one, as a very old man with a very sharp tongue. He originally portrayed the character as having Parkinson's disease, a trait which he later discontinued after protests from patient advocates. A recent character, "Vázquez", has López portraying a dimwitted security guard, with a penchant for food, Spanglish and politics, who is also a strong -and rather inept- supporter of the New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico. López played this character on some of Sunshine Logroño's comedic productions. López also had a popular radio program in his native city of Caguas, 'El Show de López Neris'. A comedic character from this era was Mister Ñemerson. He staged a fake hijack in one of his programs, which led to a police intervention, dozens of phone calls of concerned listeners to the radio station, protests by some of these when they learned that the hijack attempt was a hoax, and perhaps led to the cancellation of the program soon after. As a film actor, López Neris has been cast in films such as Wedding Ring (CBS), Los que nunca amaron (Mexico), Mientras Puerto Rico duerme, La vida de Rafael Hernandez, Muchacha, Mas alla del Capitolio, Harbor Lights (Columbia Pictures), Up the Sandbox with Barbra Streisand, and more recently in Angelito mio. Being an aficionado of cinematography from a very young age, López graduated from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, with post graduate studies at the Herbert Berghof Studio and Bown Adams Studio in the U.S. He produced and was the first host of La Camara Comica (a take on the popular American show Candid Camera. López Neris behind the camera work includes directing credits, being productions like El Corral, En la distancia, La ventana, La palomilla, Isabel la negra (Life of Sin), Candido, El ultimo dia, and Caguas, centro y corazon de Puerto Rico. As a television artistic director, he has done work on Marcano el show, El show de Luis Vigoreaux, Con lo que cuenta este país, El Gran Bejuco, and Burundanga. He has past credits as creative director of shows like Camara Cómica, El show de Tommy, Esto no tiene nombre, Los Garcia, Los genios and El show de López Neris. His theatre credits include acting, directing and/or producing in plays such as La tia de Carlitos, Una sola puerta hacia la muerte, Amordio, Club de solteros, Sida, Yo, Juan Ponce de León, and Le pegue un cuernito. Efraín Lopez Neris was once part of the 1960s political parody show El efecto de los rayos gamma sobre Eddie López (now known as Los Rayos Gamma).
- Birthplace: United States, with Territories, Caguas
- Nationality: United States of America, Puerto Rico
- Braulio Castillo, Jr. (born c. 1958) in Santurce, Puerto Rico is a Puerto Rican actor and radio host. He is the son of Braulio Castillo, an actor across Latin America, and the brother of the lesser known Jorge Castillo, also a television and theater actor.
- Birthplace: San Juan, United States, with Territories
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
Luis Roberto Guzmán
Valiant Love, El Pantera, Entre el Amor y el OdioLuis Roberto Guzmán (born April 9, 1973 in Cayey, Puerto Rico) is a Puerto Rican actor known for his performances in Mexican telenovelas like Alborada, and for his title role in Mexican series El Pantera. Guzmán also worked on the film Ladies' Night in 2003.- Birthplace: Puerto Rico
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
- Melina León (born 12 July 1973 as Yamillette Aponte Yunqué in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico) is a Puerto Rican merengue singer and actress. From an early age she performed with several groups including The Rubi, Girls of Puerto Rico and The Cherries, with whom she appeared in several San Juan hotels. Her first recording, Mujeres Liberadas, appeared in 1997 on the Tropix Music label. This was followed in 1998 with a Sony release, Con Los Pies Sobre La Tierra. By 2003 she was also performing as an actress on television movies such as: "Yo Creo en Santa Claus" in 2004, broadcast by Televicentro in Puerto Rico, and Wapa America in the United States, among others, and has received several popular awards and had several successful albums and singles on the Billboard Tropical and Latin charts.
- Birthplace: Río Piedras, Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
Germán Legarreta
Germán Legarreta (born August 30, 1981) is a Puerto Rican-born American film and television actor.- Birthplace: San Juan, United States, with Territories
- Nationality: United States of America, Puerto Rico
- Alba Raquel Barros (born 14 December 1952 in Santurce, Puerto Rico) is an actress, comedian, and dancer. She is better known for her acting career, and she has won many national awards for her work, both in the television and theatrical fields.
- Birthplace: Santurce, United States, with Territories
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
- Sonia Noemi, (born July 18, 1949 as Sonia Noemí González), is a Puerto Rican actress and singer. She is one of the pioneers of the ballad pop song in Puerto Rico.
- Birthplace: Bayamón, United States, with Territories
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
Wilfredo Hernández
Wilfredo Hernández (25 May 1950 - 19 February 1990) was a Puerto Rican actor.- Birthplace: Santurce, United States, with Territories
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
- For the Major League Baseball player see Braulio Castillo (baseball)Braulio Castillo Cintrón (March 30, 1933 – February 28, 2015) was a telenovela actor in Latin America. His two sons, Braulio Castillo, Jr. and Jorge Castillo, are also actors. He was born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Castillo played in the Orquesta Mandolina in Puerto Rico, before working as an actor. He graduated from the University of Puerto Rico with a major in the performing arts. He had roles in Puerto Rican television soap operas, during the 1950s, including El derecho de nacer; he worked at Telemundo Puerto Rico productions. Castillo later relocated to Peru, where he performed the leading role in the telenovela, "Simplemente María" ("Simply Mary"), with Peruvian actress Saby Kamalich. There, Castillo was the first MC of the international children's puppet show based on the Italian fictional character of Topo Gigio. He then moved to Mexico during the 1960s, and performed in Mexican films such as "El Cielo y Tu" ("Heaven and You"), among others, and working in several Televisa productions. In 1970 Castillo was hit in the head by a rock, while filming a scene for a movie. He survived, but retired from the entertainment business. He still occasionally made appearances on television. He died at the age of 81 of natural causes at Santa Teresa Jornet elderly home in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico.
- Birthplace: Bayamón, United States, with Territories
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
Johnny Lozada
Johnny Lozada Correa is a Puerto Rican singer, actor, host, and television personality. He currently hosts Univision's breakfast television show ¡Despierta América!. Lozada was a member of Puerto Rican boy band Menudo during its golden years, joining the group in 1980 until early 1984. After leaving Menudo, he formed Proyecto M with Rene Farrait and Xavier Serbiá, who were Menudo alumni as well. After the dissolving of Proyecto M, Lozada took on acting participating in several Latin telenovelas. In 1998, Lozada and other former members of Menudo formed El Reencuentro, to reminisce the years they had spent with Menudo. The concerts proved to be a success, and the tours extended for several years. In 2010, Lozada joined Sal y Pimienta, a Latin gossip show, as a commentator. After two years, he left the show to host ¡Despierta América!.- Birthplace: United States, with Territories, Caguas
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
- Alfredo De Quesada is a Puerto Rican film, television and theatre actor. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico to Cuban immigrants who resettled in Puerto Rico, De Quesada was raised in San Juan where he attended Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola and went on to graduate with double major in General Management and Theatre Arts from the Carroll School of Management of Boston College (Chestnut Hill, MA). During college he was part of the oldest college improv comedy troupe My Mother's Fleabag, and, upon graduation, moved to New York City. There he worked regularly with the premiere Hispanic theater company Repertorio Español, and was cast in the internationally acclaimed Argentinean aerial experimental theatre troupe De La Guarda. Most of his national recognition came when competing in the Telemundo produced reality show Protagonistas de Novela 2, which showcased him as a superior actor in contrast to the rest of the contestants. He has had guest starring roles in many TV series including Strangers with Candy, Upright Citizens Brigade, One Life to Live, The Blacklist: Redemption, Law & Order, The Knick, and Orange Is the New Black. He played the part of Israel Pardo in the film Che by Steven Soderbergh.
- Birthplace: San Juan, United States, with Territories
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
- With her vivacious screen presence and boundless energy, Maria-Elena Laas steadily became a well known and very well liked actor. Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico in 1983, Laas first began modeling at the young age of 13. Even then, Laas knew that her ultimate goal was to branch into acting, and she eventually did so in 1999, making her TV debut on an episode of the series "Pacific Blue" (USA, 1996-2000). She began to pick up steam over the coming years, appearing in films like the comedy "The Hot Chick" (2002) and the thriller "Ghost Writer" (2007) starring David Boreanaz and Alan Cumming. Laas would continue to appear in commercials, memorably starring in both the English and Spanish-language versions of a Garnier commercial. She would later go on to appear in a number of memorable, off-the-wall comedies including "Kill the Habit" (2010), "Lunatics, Lovers, and Poets" (2010), and "Pastor Shepherd" (2010). She would also play an unfortunate victim of a slasher named Maria in the horror film "American Weapon" (2014). Interestingly, Laas was later offered a very similar part in the movie "Unknowns" (2012). When she explained to producers that she would rather not repeat herself, they responded by offering her the role of Detective Rios instead. In 2018, Laas joined the cast of the series "Vida" (Starz! 2018-).
- Birthplace: Ponce, Puerto Rico
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
Lou Briel
Lou Briel (born October 19, 1954, Santurce, Puerto Rico) is a Puerto Rican singer, composer, comedian, producer, pianist, and host, among other things.- Birthplace: Puerto Rico
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
- Chay Lynn Santini is a Puerto Rican fashion model and actress who in 1998 was named "Latina Super Model of the Year" by Avon Products, Inc.
- Birthplace: San Juan, United States, with Territories
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
- Juan Rivera (born August 10, 1964) is a Puerto Rican professional wrestler. He is known for his work in the World Wrestling Council, where he won the WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship three times and the WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Championship three times. During the 1990s, he worked for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), initially under a mask as Kwang. He later portrayed Savio Vega, the eventual leader of a Puerto Rican stable, Los Boricuas. After leaving the WWF, Rivera returned to Puerto Rico and joined Victor Quiñones' promotion, the International Wrestling Association, where he was a long-time General Manager and won five titles, including the IWA Undisputed World Heavyweight Championship. In 2011, he was featured in the first interpromotional angle between IWA and WWC.
- Birthplace: Vega Alta, United States, with Territories
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
- Yvette Cruise is an actress.
- Birthplace: Río Piedras, Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
Elín Ortíz
Elín Ortiz (December 14, 1934 – June 12, 2016) was a Puerto Rican actor, comedian and producer. He died on June 12, 2016, primarily due to Alzheimer's Disease.- Birthplace: Ponce, Puerto Rico
- Nationality: Puerto Rico
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