BiographySalma Hayek is your Mexican Hollywood actress who has been in the news often for the kind of projects she chooses and performances delivered. Recently she has also taken upon the added task of director and television and film producer. The dusky beauty has also contributed generously in the Mexican and Spanish cinema, besides her work in U.S.
Salma Hayek Jimenez was born on September 2, 1966 in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz to Diana Jimenez, an opera singer and talent scout, and Sami Hayek, an oil company executive. Hayek's father is of Lebanese descent while her mother is of Spanish descent.
When she was 12, she was enrolled into the Academy of the Sacred Heart, Grand Coteau, Louisiana. But citing her pranks and notorious behavior she was expelled from the school and sent to stay with her aunt in Houston, Texas till she was 17. Hayek later joined a college in Mexico City, where she studied International Relations at the Universidad Iberoamericana. An accomplished gymnast in childhood, Salma surprised everyone one day when she announced her dropping out from college in order to pursue a career in acting.
Career in Movies
With her determination towards achieving her goal, she soon got a lead role in Mexican tele series Teresa (1989), which made her a star in Mexico. In 1994, Hayek starred in the award winning film El Callejón de los Milagros (Miracle Alley) and also got nominated for an Ariel Award.
But her Hollywood dreams soon compelled her to quit the show in 1991 and flew to Los Angles, California where she prepared herself by studying acting under Stella Adler. By late 1992, she was relegated to only bit parts on shows and movies like "Street Justice" (1991), "The Sinbad Show" (1993), "Nurses" (1991) top name a few.
It was Robert Rodriguez and his producer wife Elizabeth Avellan that provided Salma with as deserving break in Desperado (1995) opposite Antonio Banderas after citing her in Paul Rodriguez's late-night Spanish-language talk show in 1992. The movie went on to garner a cult status and Salma Hayek announced her arrival with fireworks.
In 1996, she again got cast by Rodriguez in From Dusk Till Dawn where she shared the screen space with the likes of George Clooney and Quentin Tarantino. She followed this successful streak with Fools Rush In (1997) opposite "Friends” actor Matthew Perry.
The coming years saw her working in some of the most credible performances on her account. Breaking Up (1997), In the Time of the Butterflies (2001) (TV),which even won Hayek an ALMA award as best actress; and the 1999 summer blockbuster Wild Wild West (1999).
It was during this time, that the actress decided to bring on screen her childhood dream of playing Frida Kahlo, the legendary Mexican painter. She co produced the movie in 2002. The movie was much appreciated 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. It also brought her six nominations including the best actress and won two academy awards in best makeup and best original score.
When Hayek was upon asked to direct a movie wielded the microphone for Showtime called 'The Maldonado Miracle’ (2003), which was showcased at the Sundance Film festival, the world rose to the seriousness of her craft with which she performs.
A lieu of films followed after that including the Desperado trilogy final part, Once Upon A Time In Mexico (2003), After the Sunset (2004), Ask the Dust (2006) and Bandidas (2006).
She is currently engaged to Engaged to businessman Francois-Henri Pinualt. Pinault owns PPR, the luxury goods firm that owns iconic fashion houses Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent [March 9, 2007] and has a daughter with him named Valentina Paloma Pinault, she also has another daughter Mathide from her earlier marriage to Edward Norton.
Hayek holds the record of being the first Latin actress to be nominated for best actress in Oscars and in 2004 was declared one of the highest paid Latina actresses.
Salma Hayek Photo Gallery
