Salma Hayek

Salma Hayek Jiminez was born on September 2, 1966 at Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Mexico to the couple of Sami Hayek Dominguez (a Lebanese businessman) and Mexican Diana Hayek (an opera singer and talent scout). She has got a younger brother Sami Hayek. She was educated from the Catholic school in Texas, National University of Mexico and Stella Adler Conservatory, Los Angeles, California. She was once dropped out from the National University.

Salma Hayek began her acting career at a local theatre, and then went on to bewitch a young audience as the leading female in 'Aladina y la Lampara Maravillosa' (that means Aladdin and His Marvellous Lamp) after facing several protests from her parents. Her parents were totally against her acting. She then went on to do some commercial work.

After that she joined the cast of 'Nuevo Amanecer' (that means New Dawn) in the year 1988 which was a popular daytime TV serial. It took only her second soap opera role, in 'Teresa' and the 5'7' sensational young beauty got instant popularity and fame in Mexico. She received the 'Premio TV y Novela' (which is equivalent to Emmy) and 'Heraldo' awards for the Best Actress and Best Newcomer. She then went on with her theatre work, with the 1990's 'Las Visitas Tienen Suerio', but after three years she left for Hollywood.

Salma spent almost the whole of the year 1991 in learning new trends and by taking English, acting and driving lessons. Then in the following two years the newcomer appeared on the American television shows like 'Nurses', 'Dream On', and 'The Sinbad Show'. She also featured in the movie, 'Mi Vida Loca' (which means My Crazy Life) in 1993. That role possibly led her in 'Roadracers' in 1994 (TV) and 'Midaq Alley' in 1995. Her real and important breakthrough came in a lead role in the mainstream feature film 'Desperado'. With 'Four Rooms' in 1995, 'Fair Game' in 1995, 'From Dusk Till Dawn' in 1996, 'El Jorabadode Notre Dame' (voice) and 'Fled' in 1996 she continued to elongate her movie career. In the year 1996 Hayek was named as one of People Magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People. She also received an Ariel (which is Mexican Academy Award) nomination for her role in that year.

She also appeared in 'The Hunchback' (TV), 'Fools Rush In' in 1997, 'Follow Me Home' in 1997, 'Quien Diablos Es Juliette?' in 1997, and 'Sistole Diastole' in 1997.

Even she was named in Mr. Blackwell’s 1997 list of the Ten Most Stylish Women. In the year 1998, she was at her peak and her recognition was strengthened with movies like 'The Faculty', 'Breaking Up', '54', and 'The Velocity of Gary'. In 1999 she got roles in 'Wild Wild West' and 'Dogma', and then returned to Mexico for 'El Coronel No Tiene Quien Le Escriba'.

In 2000, her films like 'Chain of Fools', 'Shiny New Enemies and Frida' got released. She also started her own production company Ventana Rosa. The amazing secrets to the huge stardom for this Mexican bombshell have been determination, unpredictability, courage and style.