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Salma Hayek (born September 2, 1966 in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, México) is a Mexican actress.
Salma Hayek landed the title role in Teresa (1989), a hugely successful soap opera which earned her the star status in her native Mexico. However, anxious to make films and to explore her talent and passion, Hayek made her way to Los Angeles in 1991.
Robert Rodriguez and his producer wife Elizabeth Avellan were immediately smitten with the intelligent opinionated young woman. He soon gave her her big break. To star opposite Antonio Banderas in the now cult classic Desperado which put her on Hollywood's map. The moviegoers proved to be as dazzled with Hayek as he had been.
After her break, she was cast again by Rodriguez to star in his From Dusk Till Dawn. Although her vampy role opposite George Clooney and Quentin Tarantino was a small one, it was a good credit to her box office name. Hayek continued to rise her star in both commercial and artistic films.
The new millenium started out quietly around Salma as she was preparing to produce and star in her dream role. The role was that of Frida Kahlo, The legendary Mexican painter whom Salma had been admiring her entire life and whose story she wanted to bring to the big screen ever since her arrival in Hollywood.
It finally happened in 2002. Frida, co-produced by Hayek, was a beautifully made film overflowing with passion and enthusiasm with terrific performances from Salma and Alfred Molina as Kahlo's cheating husband Diego Rivera. On the side was an entourage of stars including Antonio Banderas, Ashley Judd, Geoffrey Rush, Edward Norton and Valeria Golino.
Hayek speaks Spanish, English, Arabic, and Portuguese. Her father is of Lebanese descent. Her name Salma is a Spanish name which came from Arabic word of "peace" and "calm.'
Filmography
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