The How to get away with murder star, who played attorney Tegan Price, got her breakout role on the show Clandestinely, which earned her a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series at the 2017 NAACP Image Awards. She also had television roles in Law and order, unresolved, Sugar Queen, Star Trek: Picardand others – and soon we’ll see her in Tyler Perry’s The blues of a jazzman, which will debut this month on Netflix. Vann, who identifies as Afro-Puerto Rican, has spoken out against colorism and the importance of diverse representation in Latino media.
Saldaña is no stranger to sci-fi projects, as the Dominican and Puerto Rican actor played Nyota Uhura in the star trek film series and Neytiri in the Avatar film series – and, of course, she played Gamora from the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the guardians of the galaxy movies, Avengers: Infinity Warand Avengers: Endgame. Despite her talent and success in Hollywood, she also faced negative experiences in the industry. In a 2018 interview with Porter, she shared how difficult it was to land a lead role as an Afro-Latin actor.
Before playing Daniel King in InsecureNoel played the lead role in the Purge the fourth film in the franchise, The first purge. Since then, the actor, who is of Panamanian descent, has also been in comedy, The weekend, and romantic drama, The photograph.
6.
Michaela Antonia Jae Rodriguez
Prior to his breakout role in Laid, the Afro-Puerto Rican actress and singer made her television debut in small roles on shows like Nurse Jackie, Carrie Diaries, and Luke Cage. Since the premiere of Laid in 2018, Rodriguez was nominated and won numerous awards for her performances, including the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Television Series this year. In an interview with Latina, Rodriguez opened up about her connection to her Black and Latina culture and her celebration, especially as she navigates her accomplishments in Hollywood.
You probably recognize Wilds from his teenage roles in The secret life of bees (where he co-starred with Dakota Fanning), Thread, and 90210. The Afro-Dominican actor also starred in Adele’s music video for “Hello” and pursued his own music career.
In the mid-2000s, DaCosta was a finalist in cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model, and since then his career has flourished. The Afro-Brazilian actor and model has played several roles in movies and TV shows, including being part of the main cast of Chicago Mediterranean and starred in the Fox drama, Our kind of people. While promoting his film Bold In 2019, DaCosta told The Grio how important it was for the mainstream media to finally acknowledge the fact that black Latinos exist.
Thompson has traveled the world of television and film in recent years, but the actress, of Afro-Panamanian and Mexican descent, got her start in theater. She has been nominated and won awards for her roles, such as the Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Actor for Dear Whites and won the Black Reel Award for Best Supporting Actress for Creed.
The actor has an extensive acting resume – which includes highlights like receiving a Tony Award nomination for his performance in The Scottsboro Boys on Broadway and won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series this year for his portrayal of Ali in Euphoria.
The Afro-Panamanian actor starred as Shelby in the ’90s comedy-drama The best man and The best man’s vacation, which earned him an NAACP Image Award nomination for his performance. She is also known for her role in the BET sitcom Reed between the lines and for portraying Ana Lopez on The CW’s superhero series Black Lightning. De Sousa, who hails from New York, has been transparent about her Hollywood journey and has remained driven — even through periods of rejection and unemployment for two or three years.
The Dominican actor has landed roles in some of the most popular titles of recent years. He appeared in Marvel Spider-Man: Homecoming and Spider-Man: Far From Home like Jason Ionello.
The Puerto Rican actor, who identifies as Afro-Latino, had breakthrough roles in Spike Lee’s do the right thing and the 90s sports comedy white men can’t jump. Over the years, she’s done everything from co-hosting to View to play the superhero Renee Montoya / Question in the DC Extended Universe movie, Birds of prey, doing voice acting on shows like Human ressources.
Alonso is known for his role in Avatar and to play Fenix Calderon in fast furious. The Afro-Cuban actor’s other roles include Detroit — where he played Congressman John Conyers among an ensemble cast that included Will Poulter, Algee Smith and John Boyega – and starring alongside Gabrielle Union and Jessica Alba in The best of LA. Speaking to BuzzFeed News about her role in The Mysteries of Laura, he talked about playing an Afro-Latin detective and the importance of representing the diversity of Latinos on screen.
Torres is known for portraying Zoë Washburne in the sci-fi series Firefly and playing Jessica Pearson in the legal drama Combinations – and she also played supporting roles in several TV shows, like Gossip Girl, Hannibal, and Westworld. In 2019, Torres, who is Cuban-American, was the first Afro-Latin actress to create, produce and star in her own show, Pearsona spin-off of Combinations.
We love to see it! This list featured just a few of the many talented Afro-Latin actors in Hollywood who deserve far more recognition. Who would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments below!
Latin Heritage Month is here! Join us in celebration from September 15 to October 15 and support our content celebrating cultura.