Latino and Hispanic talent has never been more visible or more powerful in Hollywood than it is right now. From award-winning directors to chart-topping musicians turned actors, these stars are changing what stories get told and who gets to tell them.
Their work is opening doors for future generations and showing the world just how rich and diverse Latin culture truly is. Get ready to meet 20 incredible Latino and Hispanic stars who are making a huge impact on film and television.
1. Eugenio Derbez
When people talk about the most successful Latin actor in the world, one name keeps coming up: Eugenio Derbez. With a career box office that has surpassed $2.5 billion, this Mexican star has proven that Latino stories can sell big worldwide.
His heartfelt performance in “CODA” earned him new fans across the globe. Through his production company, 3Pas, he actively works to bring more diverse Latino narratives to the big screen.
2. America Ferrera
Making history is practically a habit for America Ferrera. She became the first Latina to win a Best Comedy Actress Emmy for her unforgettable work in “Ugly Betty,” and she has not slowed down since.
Beyond acting, she produces meaningful projects like “Gentefied” and is set to direct her first feature film, an adaptation of “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter.” She is a true triple threat who champions representation at every turn.
3. Lin-Manuel Miranda
Few artists have shaken up American culture the way Lin-Manuel Miranda has. His groundbreaking musicals “Hamilton” and “In the Heights” completely changed what Broadway could look and sound like, blending hip-hop, salsa, and soul into unforgettable storytelling.
His fingerprints are all over film and television too, with beloved contributions to “Moana” and “Encanto.” Miranda is living proof that bold, culturally rich stories resonate with audiences everywhere, regardless of background.
4. Jenna Ortega
Jenna Ortega went from a familiar face in teen shows to a full-blown Hollywood star seemingly overnight. Her starring role in Netflix’s “Wednesday” turned her into a global phenomenon, and her work in the “Scream” franchise proved she could hold her own in high-stakes horror.
With upcoming projects like “Beetlejuice 2” already generating serious buzz, she is clearly just getting started. Young fans everywhere look up to her bold choices and fearless screen presence.
5. Pedro Pascal
Pedro Pascal has become one of the most beloved actors on the planet, and honestly, it is easy to see why. His performance as the stoic yet tender Mandalorian in Disney Plus’s hit series won millions of hearts around the world.
Add his acclaimed work in “The Last of Us” and a role as Reed Richards in “The Fantastic Four,” and you have a career that just keeps climbing. Pascal represents a new era of leading men in Hollywood.
6. Eva Longoria
Eva Longoria has smoothly transitioned from beloved TV star to powerful Hollywood director and producer. Her work behind the camera on projects like “Flamin’ Hot” and “Gordita Chronicles” shows a storyteller who genuinely cares about authentic Latino representation.
She also launched Hyphenate Media Group, a company dedicated to expanding diverse voices in the industry. Longoria is not just making movies; she is reshaping who gets to make them and whose stories get told.
7. Rita Moreno
Rita Moreno is a living legend, plain and simple. She is one of the very few entertainers in history to achieve EGOT status, meaning she has won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award.
Remarkably, she is still active in the industry at 92, with recent appearances in “80 for Brady,” “Lopez vs. Lopez,” and “Fast X.” Moreno has spent decades breaking barriers for Latinos in Hollywood while also standing up for social justice causes she deeply believes in.
8. John Leguizamo
Versatility is John Leguizamo’s superpower. With over 100 credits spanning comedy, drama, action, and animation, he has built one of the most impressive and wide-ranging careers of any Latino actor in Hollywood history.
His travelogue series “Leguizamo Does America” takes a fascinating look at Latinx history and culture across the United States. Off screen, he is a passionate advocate for greater Latino inclusion in entertainment, using his platform to push for real, lasting change.
9. Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez is so much more than a pop star. Her work on “Only Murders in the Building” has earned her Emmy nominations and reminded Hollywood that she is a genuinely skilled actress with real comedic timing and warmth.
Her documentary “Selena Gomez: My Mind and Me” also earned critical praise for its honest look at mental health. Between her acting career and her booming beauty brand, Rare Beauty, Gomez is one of the most influential Latinas in entertainment today.
10. Bad Bunny
Bad Bunny did not just become a music superstar; he rewrote the rules of what Latin artists can achieve on a global stage. His 2022 tour was the fastest-selling since 2018, breaking records that many thought were untouchable.
He has also made a smooth move into acting, co-starring in films like “Bullet Train” and “Cassandro.” His fearless approach to fashion, music, and culture has made him an icon for young Latinos everywhere who dare to be different.
11. Guillermo del Toro
Guillermo del Toro turns fairy tales into something hauntingly beautiful. His Academy Award-winning films “Pan’s Labyrinth” and “The Shape of Water” are celebrated worldwide for their stunning visual storytelling and deeply emotional themes.
Del Toro has also partnered with Netflix to continue creating bold, genre-defying projects that push the limits of imagination. He is widely considered one of the greatest filmmakers alive, and his work has paved the way for Mexican directors to be taken seriously at the highest levels of Hollywood.
12. Diego Luna
Diego Luna brought so much heart to the “Star Wars” universe with his portrayal of Cassian Andor in the critically acclaimed Disney Plus series “Andor.” Fans and critics alike praised the show for its gritty, political storytelling, and Luna was the anchor holding it all together.
Away from the camera, he actively works as a producer and director to champion Latin American stories. His commitment to authentic representation both in front of and behind the camera makes him a standout figure in the industry.
13. Xolo Maridueña
Not many actors get to make history before turning 25, but Xolo Maridueña has already done exactly that. He starred in “Blue Beetle,” which became the first live-action superhero film ever centered on a Latino protagonist, a milestone that fans celebrated loudly.
Before that, he built a loyal fanbase through his fan-favorite role in the hit Netflix series “Cobra Kai.” Maridueña brings charm, athleticism, and genuine warmth to every role, making him one of the most exciting young stars in Hollywood right now.
14. Salma Hayek Pinault
Salma Hayek Pinault has spent decades proving that Latina women belong at the very top of Hollywood. Her Oscar-nominated performance as Frida Kahlo in “Frida” remains one of the most celebrated portrayals of a real-life figure in modern cinema.
She has also been a fearless advocate for women’s rights and Latino representation behind the scenes. As both a producer and actress, Hayek Pinault continues to use her platform to lift other voices and push for a more inclusive industry.
15. Oscar Isaac
Oscar Isaac has a rare ability to disappear completely into every character he plays. From his brooding role in “Ex Machina” to his complex portrayal of Moon Knight in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he consistently delivers performances that stick with audiences long after the credits roll.
His Guatemalan and Cuban roots are a source of deep pride, and he openly speaks about the importance of Latino visibility in major franchise films. Isaac is one of the most consistently compelling actors working in Hollywood today.
16. Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez has been a cultural force for over three decades, and she shows absolutely no signs of slowing down. From her early days as a Fly Girl dancer to headlining Netflix films like “Atlas,” she has continuously reinvented herself while staying unmistakably J.Lo.
Her influence stretches across music, fashion, and film in ways few entertainers can match. She remains a proud symbol of Puerto Rican excellence and has inspired countless young Latinas to dream bigger and aim higher.
17. Gina Rodriguez
Gina Rodriguez charmed the entire world with her bubbly, passionate performance in “Jane the Virgin,” a role that earned her a Golden Globe and a permanent place in TV history. But she has never been content to simply act; she actively advocates for fair pay and greater opportunities for Latino artists across the industry.
Her current role in ABC’s “Will Trent” keeps her in the spotlight while she continues pushing for meaningful change. Rodriguez is a champion both on screen and off.
18. Anthony Ramos
Anthony Ramos burst onto the scene as part of the original Broadway cast of “Hamilton,” where his energy and raw talent immediately set him apart. He carried that momentum straight into film, landing the lead role in “In the Heights” and a memorable part in “A Star Is Born.”
His ability to sing, act, and connect emotionally with audiences makes him a genuinely rare talent. Ramos wears his Puerto Rican heritage proudly and brings authentic joy to every project he takes on.
19. Patricia Cardoso
Patricia Cardoso quietly made history in a way that deserves far more recognition. Her debut feature “Real Women Have Curves” became a landmark film for Latina representation, celebrating body positivity and family in ways that resonated deeply with audiences across cultures.
She holds the distinction of being the first Latinx female director to have a film inducted into the National Film Registry and the first to receive a Student Academy Award. Cardoso’s legacy continues to inspire a new generation of Latina filmmakers.
20. Ismael Cruz Cordova
Ismael Cruz Cordova is quietly becoming one of the most exciting actors working in prestige genre television. His roles in “The Mandalorian” and “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” have placed him at the center of two of the biggest fantasy universes ever created.
For Latino fans of sci-fi and fantasy, seeing a Puerto Rican actor thrive in these worlds is genuinely meaningful. Cruz Cordova brings depth, physicality, and emotional intelligence to his roles, proving that Latino actors belong in every genre imaginable.