Salma Hayek Pinault is a Mexican-American actress and producer known for her work in both Latin American and Hollywood productions. Her early career flourished in Mexico with notable roles in the telenovela "Teresa" and the film "Midaq Alley." She transitioned to Hollywood starring in successful films like "Desperado," "From Dusk till Dawn," "Wild Wild West," and "Dogma," establishing herself as a prominent figure in the industry.
On September 2, 1966, Salma Hayek was born in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Mexico.
Salma Hayek made her first screen appearance in the television series 'Un Nuevo Amanecer' in 1988.
In 1989, at the age of 23, Salma Hayek landed the title role in the Mexican telenovela 'Teresa,' which propelled her to stardom in Mexico.
Salma Hayek began starring in the telenovela 'Teresa' in 1989.
Hayek won the 1990 TVyNovelas Award for Best Female Revelation for her performance in 'Teresa'.
'Teresa' concluded in 1991 after a successful run.
After arriving in Los Angeles in 1991, Salma Hayek focused on improving her English and honing her acting skills under the guidance of Stella Adler.
After the successful two-year run of 'Teresa', which concluded in 1991, Hayek decided to pursue a film career in Hollywood and moved to Los Angeles.
Hayek made a guest appearance on the television series 'Dream On' in 1992.
In 1993, Hayek made a guest appearance on 'The Sinbad Show' and took on a supporting role in the drama 'Mi Vida Loca'.
Hayek's performance in 'El callejón de los milagros' ('Miracle Alley') in 1994 garnered critical acclaim, with the film earning numerous awards and Hayek receiving an Ariel Award nomination for Best Actress.
Salma Hayek worked with director Robert Rodriguez for the first time in 1994 on the thriller 'Roadracers'.
Salma Hayek's performance as Carolina in Robert Rodriguez's 'Desperado' in 1995 is widely considered her breakout role, marking a turning point in her career.
'Desperado', featuring Salma Hayek as Carolina, was released in 1995.
Hayek took on a brief but memorable role as a vampire queen in Rodriguez's cult horror film 'From Dusk till Dawn' in 1996. The same year, she also appeared in 'Follow Me Home' and 'Fled'.
People magazine recognized Hayek as one of the 50 most beautiful people globally in 1996.
'From Dusk till Dawn', in which Hayek played a vampire queen, was released in 1996. That same year, she also had roles in the films 'Follow Me Home' and 'Fled'.
Salma Hayek starred in two romantic comedies in 1997: 'Fools Rush In', opposite Matthew Perry, and 'Breaking Up', alongside Russell Crowe.
The Armani dress Hayek wore to the 1997 Academy Awards was chosen as one of the five most memorable Oscar dresses by E! Entertainment.
Hayek's career milestone as a spokesperson for Revlon began in 1998.
In 1998, Salma Hayek personally secured access to Frida Kahlo's paintings from Dolores Olmedo Patino, which allowed her to begin assembling a supporting cast for the biographical film 'Frida'. This marked the beginning of her journey to portray the iconic artist.
In 1998, Salma Hayek played an aspiring singer in the 1970s NYC's night scene in Mark Christopher's drama '54', a doughnut shop waitress in Dan Ireland's dramedy 'The Velocity of Gary', and a nurse in Robert Rodriguez's supernatural horror film 'The Faculty'. These roles showcased her versatility and range as an actress.
In 1999, Salma Hayek founded her production company, Ventanarosa, and produced her first feature film, 'El Coronel No Tiene Quien Le Escriba'. This film was Mexico's official selection for submission for Best Foreign Film at the Oscars.
In 1999, Salma Hayek was cast as Serendipity, the Muse who inspired historical geniuses, in Kevin Smith's 'Dogma', and also portrayed the daughter of a kidnapped scientist in 'Wild Wild West' alongside Will Smith. 'Dogma' was critically acclaimed, while 'Wild Wild West' was a commercial failure despite its high budget.
Salma Hayek appeared in two notable films in 1999: 'Wild Wild West' and 'Dogma', further solidifying her presence in Hollywood.
In 2000, Salma Hayek had an uncredited role opposite Benicio del Toro in 'Traffic', played an aspiring actress in 'Timecode', a waitress in 'Living It Up', and a cop and Playboy model in 'Chain of Fools'. This year highlighted her versatility as an actress.
In 2001, Salma Hayek, along with Ben Silverman, acquired the rights and scripts from the Colombian telenovela 'Yo Soy Betty La Fea', which would later be adapted into the American television series 'Ugly Betty'.
In 2001, Salma Hayek produced and starred in the television film 'In the Time of the Butterflies', based on the Julia Álvarez book. She portrayed Minerva Mirabal, one of the sisters who opposed Dominican dictator Rafael Leónidas Trujillo.
In 2001, Hayek modeled for luxury jewelry and watch brand Chopard.
Hayek appeared in Spanish-language commercials for Lincoln cars in 2002.
Hayek's portrayal of Frida Kahlo in the movie "Frida" earned her a Best Actress nomination at the 75th Academy Awards in 2002.
In 2002, Salma Hayek starred as surrealist painter Frida Kahlo in Julie Taymor's biographical film 'Frida', which she also produced. The film was critically acclaimed, and her portrayal of Kahlo made her the first Mexican actress to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress. She also earned nominations for the Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, and British Academy Film Awards.
Salma Hayek's portrayal of Frida Kahlo in the biopic 'Frida' in 2002, which she also produced, earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, making her the first Mexican actress to achieve this honor.
In 2003, Salma Hayek produced and directed the Showtime film 'The Maldonado Miracle', for which she won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing in a Children Special. She also reunited with Robert Rodriguez for 'Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over' and 'Once Upon a Time in Mexico', and made an appearance in the documentary 'V-Day: Until the Violence Stops'.
People magazine recognized Hayek as one of the 50 most beautiful people globally in 2003.
Hayek became a spokesperson for Avon cosmetics in February 2004.
Hayek won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing in a Children's Special for "The Maldonado Miracle" in 2004.
In 2004, Salma Hayek starred as the girlfriend of a master thief in Brett Ratner's action comedy 'After the Sunset', alongside Pierce Brosnan. The film was a box office flop and received largely negative reviews, though some critics praised the chemistry between Brosnan and Hayek.
Originally intended as a half-hour sitcom for NBC in 2004, the 'Ugly Betty' project was later picked up by ABC for the 2006-2007 season. This marked a significant step in bringing the series to American television.
Salma Hayek won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing in a Children Special for 'The Maldonado Miracle' in 2004.
On July 19, 2005, Salma Hayek testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary to support the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.
Maxim magazine ranked Hayek 34th on their "Hot 100" list in 2005.
In 2005, Salma Hayek served as a member of the jury at the 58th Cannes Film Festival, co-hosted the annual Nobel Peace Prize Concert with Julianne Moore in Oslo, Norway, and directed a music video for Prince titled 'Te Amo Corazon', featuring Mía Maestro.
In February 2006, Hayek made significant donations to support organizations combating domestic violence. She donated $25,000 to a shelter in Coatzacoalcos, Mexico, and $50,000 to groups based in Monterrey.
The Blue Star Contemporary Art Center in San Antonio, Texas, hosted "Solamente Salma" ("Only Salma"), an exhibition showcasing 16 portraits of Hayek, until June 18, 2006.
FHM magazine included Hayek on their list of the "100 Sexiest Women in the World" in 2006.
Hayek began her work on the ABC comedy-drama 'Ugly Betty' in 2006, which earned her a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series.
Hayek received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations in 2006 for her work on the television series "Ugly Betty."
Hayek was featured in Campari advertisements photographed by Mario Testino in 2006.
In 2006, Salma Hayek served as an executive producer for the American television series 'Ugly Betty'. She also guest-starred on the series as Sofia Reyes. The show was a critical and commercial success, winning a Golden Globe Award for Best Comedy Series in 2007 and earning Hayek Emmy nominations.
In 2006, Salma Hayek starred in the Western comedy 'Bandidas' alongside Penélope Cruz, the period romance 'Ask the Dust' with Colin Farrell, and the neo-noir crime drama 'Lonely Hearts' with Jared Leto. While 'Bandidas' was noted for the chemistry between Hayek and Cruz, 'Ask the Dust' and 'Lonely Hearts' received mixed reviews.
On March 9, 2007, Hayek confirmed her engagement to French businessman François-Henri Pinault and announced her pregnancy.
Hayek achieved the fourth position on The Hollywood Reporter's "Latino Power 50" list in July 2007, recognizing her influence in Hollywood.
In July 2007, Hayek was voted the "sexiest celebrity" in an E-Poll Market Research poll, with 65% of respondents finding her "sexy."
Hayek gave birth to her daughter on September 21, 2007, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
In 2007, Salma Hayek finalized negotiations with MGM to become the CEO of her own Latin-themed film production company, Ventanarosa. She also signed a two-year deal with ABC for Ventanarosa to develop projects for the network.
In 2007, Salma Hayek made a cameo appearance as a nurse singing a cover of The Beatles song 'Happiness Is A Warm Gun' in Julie Taymor's jukebox musical 'Across the Universe'.
In 2007, Hayek gave an interview where she discussed her evolving religious beliefs, expressing that while she still believes in God, she is no longer a devout Catholic.
Hayek co-founded the juice delivery program "Cooler Cleanse" with Juice Generation in 2008.
People magazine recognized Hayek as one of the 50 most beautiful people globally in 2008.
In recognition of her work that enhanced the perception of women in television, Hayek received the Women in Film Lucy Award in 2008.
On April 3, 2009, Hayek was involved in the launch of "La Doña," a Cartier watch inspired by Mexican actress María Félix.
Hayek and Pinault celebrated their marriage with a vow renewal ceremony in Venice, Italy, on April 25, 2009.
During a 2009 UNICEF trip to Sierra Leone, Hayek breastfed a hungry baby to reduce the stigma around breastfeeding and promote infant nutrition.
In 2009, Salma Hayek played Madame Truska, a woman who can grow an indestructible beard, in 'Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant'. This marked her first acting project following the birth of her daughter. The film was a critical and commercial failure.
In 2010, Salma Hayek starred in the comedy "Grown Ups" as a fashion designer married to Adam Sandler's character. Despite negative reviews, the film was a commercial success.
The American television series 'Ugly Betty', which Salma Hayek executive produced, concluded in 2010. The show had been a critical and commercial success throughout its run, highlighting Hayek's impact in television production.
Hayek's work on 'Ugly Betty' concluded in 2010, a year in which she received another Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in the show.
Hayek's humanitarian efforts earned her a nomination for the VH1 Do Something Awards in 2010.
Hayek was honored with the title of Knight (Chevalier) of the National Order of the Legion of Honour, one of France's highest honors, in 2011.
In 2011, Salma Hayek lent her voice to the animated film 'Puss in Boots'.
In a 2011 interview with V magazine, Hayek revealed that she had briefly been an illegal immigrant in the United States.
Salma Hayek voiced Kitty Softpaws in the animated hit "Puss in Boots" in 2011. The same year, she starred in the French film "Americano" and the Spanish film "As Luck Would Have It," earning her award nominations for both.
Hayek introduced her own line of cosmetics, skincare, and haircare products, "Nuance by Salma Hayek," in 2011, available at CVS stores.
Salma Hayek took on a variety of roles in 2012, including directing a music video, voicing a character in "The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists!," and acting in films like "Savages" and "Here Comes the Boom."
In 2013, Hayek collaborated with Beyoncé and Frida Giannini to launch the "Chime for Change" campaign with Gucci, promoting female empowerment.
Salma Hayek reprised her role in "Grown Ups 2" in 2013, a sequel that mirrored the commercial success of its predecessor despite facing criticism.
Hayek joined other artists in signing an Amnesty International letter to British Prime Minister David Cameron in 2014 advocating for women's rights in Afghanistan.
In 2014, Hayek wrote the foreword for "The Juice Generation: 100 Recipes for Fresh Juices and Superfood Smoothies" by Eric Helms.
In 2014, Salma Hayek produced and voiced a character in the animated film "The Prophet." She also made appearances in "Muppets Most Wanted," "Everly," and "Some Kind of Beautiful."
Salma Hayek starred in the fantasy film "Tale of Tales," which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2015.
Following a trip to Lebanon in 2015, Hayek spoke out against the discrimination faced by women in the country.
Salma Hayek and her father traveled to Baabdat, Lebanon in 2015 to promote her movie 'Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet'.
Hayek received critical acclaim for her performance in the drama 'Tale of Tales' in 2015.
Salma Hayek contributed her voice to the animated film 'Sausage Party' in 2016.
Salma Hayek lent her voice to the animated comedy "Sausage Party" in 2016, a film that became the highest-grossing R-rated animated film at the time.
On December 13, 2017, Hayek wrote an op-ed in The New York Times, detailing her experience of alleged harassment and abuse by Harvey Weinstein during the filming of "Frida."
2017 was a busy year for Salma Hayek, with roles in "Beatriz at Dinner" (earning her an Independent Spirit Award nomination), the surprise hit "How to Be a Latin Lover," and the action-comedy "The Hitman's Bodyguard."
Hayek and Eric Helms launched the beauty subscription service "Blend It Yourself" in 2017, offering organic smoothie and acai bowl ingredients.
The year 2017 saw Hayek garner critical acclaim for her role in 'Beatriz at Dinner' and enjoy commercial success with 'The Hitman's Bodyguard'.
Salma Hayek starred alongside Jesse Eisenberg and Alexander Skarsgård in the tech drama "The Hummingbird Project" in 2018.
Hayek was among the fifteen women featured on the cover of British Vogue's September 2019 issue, guest-edited by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.
The Pinault family, including Hayek's husband, pledged US$113 million in 2019 to aid the reconstruction of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris after the fire.
In 2019, Salma Hayek starred opposite Alec Baldwin in the comedy "Drunk Parents."
Hayek used her platform to raise awareness about the disappearance of Vanessa Guillen in 2020.
Salma Hayek appeared in two films in 2020: the comedy "Like a Boss" with Rose Byrne and Tiffany Haddish, and the drama "The Roads Not Taken" alongside Javier Bardem and Elle Fanning.
Salma Hayek reprised her role in "Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard," the sequel to "The Hitman's Bodyguard," released on June 16, 2021. Though the film received mixed reviews, Hayek's performance was praised.
Salma Hayek joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Ajak in "Eternals," released on November 5, 2021. The same year, she appeared in Ridley Scott's "House of Gucci" alongside Lady Gaga and Adam Driver.
In 2021, Hayek received critical praise for her performance in 'House of Gucci', was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and starred in Marvel's 'Eternals', which became her highest-grossing live-action film.
In 2021, Hayek's contributions to the entertainment industry were recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In 2021, Salma Hayek received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a testament to her significant contributions to the entertainment industry.
In 2021, an assessment was made of the box office earnings of films starring Salma Hayek.
In June 2022, Salma Hayek was announced as part of the cast for Angelina Jolie's film "Without Blood," an adaptation of Alessandro Baricco's novel, also starring Demián Bichir.
Salma Hayek made an appearance as herself in an episode of the Netflix anthology series "Black Mirror" titled "Joan Is Awful" in 2023.
Salma Hayek was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2023, recognizing her impact beyond the realm of entertainment.