Biography

Salma Valgarma Hayek Pinault (/ˈhaɪɛk/ HY-ek, Spanish: [ˈsalma ˈxaʝek]; née Hayek Jiménez; born September 2, 1966) is a Mexican and American actress and film producer. She began her career in Mexico by starring in the telenovela Teresa (1989–1991) and the romantic drama Midaq Alley (1995). She soon established herself in Hollywood, appearing in films such as Desperado (1995), From Dusk Till Dawn (1996), Wild Wild West(1999), and Dogma (1999). Hayek's portrayal of painter Frida Kahlo in the biopic Frida (2002), which she also produced, made her the first Mexican actress nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress. In subsequent years, Hayek focused more on producing while starring in the action-centred pictures Once Upon a Time in Mexico(2003), After the Sunset (2004) and Bandidas(2006).