*Stacy*

Salma Hayek Appreciation Thread!!

Biography:

Birth name
Salma Hayek-Jimenez
Height
5' 2" (1.57 m)

One of Hollywood's most dazzling leading actresses, Salma Hayek was born in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Mexico, on 2nd September, 1966.

Her Lebanese-Mexican father was a rich businessman and her mother was an opera singer. At a very young age Salma already knew she wanted to be an actress and after finishing high school she felt more than ready to pursue her ambition. In the late 80s she won the role of 'Teresa' in the self-titled soap opera, and quickly became the 'it' girl everyone was talking about. The shallow and superficial acting required for the role was, however, not satisfying, as she wanted to get ahead in acting rather than being stuck in it.

She soon left her native Mexico and her popularity to make her way to Los Angeles. There her career took off. Having arrived in Hollywood, she was anonymous and had to start from scratch. She soon realized she had been slightly naïve about continuing her acting career in a foreign country, with a very thick accent and no experience whatsoever. She was told over and over again by the big suits she would have no chance of becoming a leading lady in Hollywood as there just weren't any parts for Latinas with accents, let alone one who doesn't speak English.

She started to take acting classes from the renowned Stella Adler and worked on her accent. By 1993 she still wasn't getting her feet off the ground and was too stubborn to return back to Mexico as she would consider it as 'having failed.' Instead she vented her frustrations in a late-night talk show by Paul Rodriguez. Director Robert Rodriguez, who happened to be watching that very show, was smitten with the beautiful, witty, and articulate Hayek, and cast her in his upcoming movie 'Desperado.'

'Desperado' was released in 1995 and was a hit. Antonio Banderas and Hayek had ignited sparks on the screen and the moviegoers fell in love with both stars. By now she had entered the Hollywood scene. This hadn't happened for a Latina actress since the 1930s with the success of Dolores Del Rio, and later on with Rita Moreno.

In 1996 she appeared in 'From Dusk till Dawn' and 'Fled' and started production on her first star billing movie, 'Fools Rush In.' The romantic comedy, which cast her as a woman who ends up pregnant after a one night stand with Matthew Perry, grossed around 35 million domestically and achieved rave reviews for Hayek. During this period she also got to cash in on her status and looks by signing a lucrative deal with cosmetics giant Revlon.

Although she had now started climbing Hollywood's A-list, the lack of good scripts, especially for women, made the young star more persevering in finding quality roles which actually demanded some acting ability. It was around this time that she felt she wanted to do a movie on the life of iconic Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. She turned down a prominent role in a $70 million movie and instead took on roles in independent films including: 'Breaking Up,' a romantic drama alongside then-newcomer Russell Crowe; 'The Hunchback;' '54;' and 'The Velocity Of Gary.' They were impressive but didn't do much at the box-office.

In the late '90s Hayek went back to mainstream movies starring in 'Wild Wild West,' which grossed well over $100 million, and 'Dogma.' Her own production company, Ventanarosa, co-produced the Mexican film 'No One Writes to the Colonel,' which was shown at the Cannes film festival and submitted as an Oscar entry. At this time Hayek had also started preparation on her upcoming Frida Kahlo film and managed to star in more movies, most notably Mike Figgis's 'Timecode,' 'Chain Of Fools,' and 'La Gran Vida.'

In late 2002 'Frida' was released. The hit movie provoked a great deal of publicity and rave reviews for both her and co-star Alfred Molina. When award season came the film and its star were not overlooked, winning the movie two Academy Awards and six nominations, including 'best actress' for her. After Frida came the final part in the closing trilogy of 'El Mariachi' with 'Once Upon a Time in Mexico.' Again Banderas and Hayek received top billing and big box-office.

With her acclaimed work in front of the screen, Hayek was offered a chance to direct a movie for Showtime called 'The Maldonado Miracle.' Not only had she established herself as a versatile actress, she was now rewarded with an Emmy as outstanding director. During this time she became one of the most photographed women in the U.S. which led to a contract with cosmetic mogul Avon, who signed her as their spokesperson for their campaigns including the Anti-Domestic Violence campaign. After an absence from the big screen for over a year, Hayek broke up with her boyfriend of four years, actor Edward Norton, and returned opposite 007 star Pierce Brosnan in an old Hollywood style action comedy 'After The Sunset,' directed by Brett Ratner. 2004 also marked her year as Hollywood's highest paid Latina actress, earning roughly $20 million in film contracts alone.

She remains one of the most hardworking actresses in Hollywood. New films include a high profile classic-style western comedy, 'Banditas,' co-starring pal Penélope Cruz, with whom she has been friends for years. They play two bank robbers becoming Mexico's Thelma and Louise. Another of her new films is the highly anticipated 'Ask The Dust' directed by the brilliant Robert Towne.

Trivia:

Chosen by People (USA) magazine as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world [1996]

Is dyslexic.

Was ranked 8th of the 100 Sexiest Women by FHM Taiwan (2001).

Frequently collaborates with Antonio Banderas and Robert Rodriguez.

Fluent in English, Arabic, Spanish and Portugese

Was originally considered for the part of Alicia Larde in A Beautiful Mind (2001) because the character in real life is from El Salvador. But the character for the film was later changed to American and given to Jennifer Connelly.

Salma is an Arabic name that means "peace" or "calm".

Godmother to Robert Rodriguez's children.

Measurements: 36C-25-37 (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine)

She was sent to a boarding school in Louisiana at age 12, but was soon sent back home after getting in trouble for frequently terrorizing the nuns!

Father is great-grandson of a Lebanese immigrant. The remaining 7 of her 8 great-grandparents were Mexican.

Father was born in Lebanon and came to Mexico to start a small business where he met her mother.

Studied International Relations & Drama at College in Mexico City.

Won Best Newcomer at the 1989 Novela Awards for "Nuevo amanecer, Un" (1988).

Has her own production company, Ventanarosa.

Is the second Latin American actress to be nominated for the Best Actress in a Leading Role Academy Award, for her performance in Frida (2002). Brazilian veteran Fernanda Montenegro was the first, for Central do Brasil (1998).

Dated Edward Norton [1999-2003]

Her brother, Sami, designs custom chairs. His celebrity clients include Jennifer Aniston and her ex-husband, Brad Pitt.

Dated Josh Lucas [August 2003 - July 2004].

Shares a birthday with actor Keanu Reeves, heavyweight boxer Lennox Lewis and NFL Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson.

Made the cut to People magazine's 50 most beautiful people list twice. in 1996 and 2003

Was named one of the ten most stylish women in the world by Mr. Blackwell (aka Richard Selzer) in 1997. InStyle named her the most stylish celebrity of 2003 and Eonline.com ranked her as the best dressed female celebrity.

Ranked #31 in Stuff magazine's "102 Sexiest Women in the World" (2002).

Good friend of Penélope Cruz.

She loves dogs

E! entertainment voted her look at the 1997 Academy Awards one of the 5 most memorable in Oscar history. At the event she wore a beaded Armani gown complemented by a 1920s diamond tiara.

Member of the jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 2005

Is good friends with Ashley Judd

Her parents are Sami Hayek (oil company executive) and Diana Jimenez Hayek (opera singer).

Played a stripper twice: in From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) and in Dogma (1999)

Named #34 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2005 list.

Named #12 in FHM's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2005" special supplement. (2005)

Visited Guatemala from 2 May 2005 to 5 May 2005 as ambassador to Youth/AIDS, to promote the prevention of the mortal disease. Ashley Judd and Colombian pop singer Juanes also came with her.

Personal quotes:

"I keep waiting to meet a man who has more balls than I do."

"I act tall!" "But look how short I am...I can't even act to be tall. I'm five-two. I can't even create the illusion that I am tall!"

"I don't believe in the so-called Latino explosion when it comes to movies. Jennifer Lopez doesn't have an accent. She grew up in New York speaking English not Spanish. Her success is very important because she represents a different culture, but it doesn't help me. I grew up in Mexico, not the US, and the fact is that there just aren't any parts for Latin actresses. I have to persuade people that my accent won't be a problem, but an asset. Everyone's afraid of doing something a bit risky. Everyone wants a $200 million hit and anything they think might get in the way of that kind of success is considered a liability."

What worries me the most is that most men are so weak. Because of that they act like they don't care and like machos - because they are too fragile inside. They're scared of confrontation and afraid of so many things. And because of this they build up their life so they have to deal with their feelings as little as possible. I find feminine men unbelievably sexy. But most men are completely incapable of getting in touch with their feminine side. What am I supposed to talk about with a man who doesn't know what it's like to be a woman?

"At the beginning [my career] was hard. People were like, 'Who is this Mexican jumping bean?'"

What works in a relationship of very public people is not making the relationship public - keeping it as personal as it can be. It's the only way it is real. I am suspicious of those who have to let the world know how much they love each other. It's a little sad when you have to brag about how much you love someone. That kind of declaration doesn't always reflect the moment of truth between two people who care deeply for each other. When that truth is there, you don't need others to know it. And when somebody truly loves you, you don't even need him or her to be affectionate. Affection is fantastic, but it doesn't necessarily mean there's love - and the public display of affection is often just a show. When you open a door for others to have an opinion on your relationship, it can be dangerous. Find what you need, not what everyone else wants for you. Women have been taught that in order to have a place in the world, an identity, they must marry and have children. If that's the life you truly want, great. But for many women, marriage is only about needing the world to know that someone desires them enough to say, "Here's a contract to prove that I love you and will commit to you for the rest of my life." For these women, no contract equals no validation - and, thus, no reason for existing.

"In my twenties I was offered lots of parts where there wasn't much to do but act sexy. I still get offered those roles - but now I take it as a compliment." Woman's World (7-11-06)

About Madonna: "She always paid attention to the Latin community. I was grateful somebody like her appreciated our culture." (In Style magazine, Sept/2006)

"If I go on a diet and work out, I'm always in a bad mood. I'd rather be a little heavier but nice." -quoted in Woman's Day 8-15-06 issue


IMDB Info:

1. Lonely Hearts (2006) .... Martha Beck
2. Ask the Dust (2006) .... Camilla Lopez
3. Bandidas (2006) .... Sara Sandoval
4. Sian Ka'an (2005) (voice) .... Maria
5. After the Sunset (2004) .... Lola Cirillo
6. Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003) .... Carolina
7. Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003) .... Cesca Giggles
... aka Spy Kids 3: Game Over (USA: video title)
8. "Saturday Night Live"
... aka SNL (USA: informal title)
... aka SNL 25 (USA)
- Episode #28.15 (2003) TV Episode .... Host
9. Frida (2002) .... Frida Kahlo
10. In the Time of the Butterflies (2001) (TV) .... Minerva Mirabal
... aka En el tiempo de las mariposas
11. Hotel (2001) .... Charlee Boux
12. Traffic (2000) (uncredited) .... Rosario
... aka Traffic - Die Macht des Kartells (Germany)
13. Gran vida, La (2000) .... Lola
... aka Living It Up (International: English title)
14. Chain of Fools (2000) .... Kolko
15. Timecode (2000) .... Rose

16. Wild Wild West (1999) .... Rita Escobar
17. Coronel no tiene quien le escriba, El (1999) .... Julia
... aka No One Writes to the Colonel (International: English title)
... aka Pas de lettre pour le colonel (France)
... aka Personne n'écrit au colonel (France)
18. Dogma (1999) .... Serendipity
19. The Faculty (1998) .... Nurse Rosa Harper
20. The Velocity of Gary (1998) .... Mary Carmen
21. 54 (1998) .... Anita Randazzo
... aka Fifty-Four
22. Breaking Up (1997) .... Monica
23. The Hunchback (1997) (TV) .... Esmeralda
... aka Quasimodo (Canada: French title)
... aka The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Europe: English title)
24. Fools Rush In (1997) .... Isabel Fuentes Whitman
25. Sistole Diastole (1997) .... Carmelita
26. Fled (1996) .... Cora
27. From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) .... Santanico Pandemonium
28. Follow Me Home (1996)
29. "Vuelo del águila, El" (1996) TV Series .... Juana Cata
30. Fair Game (1995) .... Rita
31. Four Rooms (1995) .... TV Dancing Girl (segment "The Misbehavers")
32. Desperado (1995) .... Carolina
33. Callejón de los milagros, El (1995) .... Alma
... aka Midaq Alley
... aka Miracle Alley (Australia)
34. Roadracers (1994) (TV) .... Donna
... aka Rebel Highway
35. "The Sinbad Show" (1993) TV Series .... Gloria Contreras (1993)
... aka Sinbad (UK)
36. Mi vida loca (1993) .... Gata
... aka My Crazy Life
37. "Nurses"
- One Pequeno, Two Pequeno (1992) TV Episode .... Yolanda Cuevas
38. "Dream On"
- Domestic Bliss (1992) TV Episode .... Carmela
39. "Street Justice"
- Homecoming (1992) TV Episode .... Andrea

40. "Teresa" (1989) TV Series .... Teresa
41. "Nuevo amanecer, Un" (1988) TV Series .... Fabiola

Filmography as: Actress, Producer, Soundtrack, Miscellaneous Crew, Director, Self, Archive Footage

Producer - filmography

1. "Ugly Betty" (executive producer)
- Pilot (2006) TV Episode (executive producer)
2. The Maldonado Miracle (2003) (TV) (senior executive producer)
3. Frida (2002) (producer)
4. In the Time of the Butterflies (2001) (TV) (executive producer)
... aka En el tiempo de las mariposas

Filmography as: Actress, Producer, Soundtrack, Miscellaneous Crew, Director, Self, Archive Footage

Soundtrack - filmography
(2000s) (1990s)

1. Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003) (performer: "Siente mi amor")
2. Frida (2002) (performer: "La Bruja", "El Cascabel")
3. Hotel (2001) (performer: "Charlee Boux")

4. 54 (1998) (performer: "Lamento Borincano")
... aka Fifty-Four
5. Desperado (1995) (performer: "Quédate AquÃ*")

Filmography as: Actress, Producer, Soundtrack, Miscellaneous Crew, Director, Self, Archive Footage

Miscellaneous Crew - filmography
(2000s) (1990s)

1. Frida (2002) (choreographer: Tango) (as Hayek) (singer: "La Bruja" and "El Cascabel")

2. From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) (choreographer: "Snake Dance" scene) (uncredited)

Filmography as: Actress, Producer, Soundtrack, Miscellaneous Crew, Director, Self, Archive Footage

Director - filmography

1. The Maldonado Miracle (2003) (TV)

Filmography as: Actress, Producer, Soundtrack, Miscellaneous Crew, Director, Self, Archive Footage

Self - filmography
(2000s) (1990s)

1. "Corazón de..."
- Episode dated 25 May 2006 (2006) TV Episode .... Herself
- Episode dated 7 March 2006 (2006) TV Episode .... Herself
- Episode dated 11 January 2006 (2006) TV Episode .... Herself
2. "Late Night with Conan O'Brien"
- Episode dated 9 March 2006 (2006) TV Episode .... Herself
- Episode dated 10 November 2004 (2004) TV Episode .... Herself
- Episode dated 13 March 2003 (2003) TV Episode .... Herself
- Episode dated 31 October 2002 (2002) TV Episode .... Herself
- Episode dated 17 December 1998 (1998) TV Episode .... Herself
(1 more)
3. The 78th Annual Academy Awards (2006) (TV) .... Herself - Presenter
4. "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno"
- Episode dated 2 March 2006 (2006) TV Episode .... Herself
- Episode dated 17 October 2001 (2001) TV Episode .... Herself
5. "Méthode Cauet, La"
- Episode dated 12 January 2006 (2006) TV Episode .... Herself
6. Nobel Peace Prize Concert (2005) (TV) .... Co host
7. "Today"
... aka NBC News Today (USA: promotional title)
... aka The Today Show (USA)
- Episode dated 25 October 2005 (2005) TV Episode .... Herself
8. Live 8 (2005) (TV) .... Herself
9. "Caiga quien caiga"
- Episode dated 20 May 2005 (2005) TV Episode .... Herself
10. Before, During and 'After the Sunset' (2005) (V) .... Herself
11. "Punk'd"
- Episode #4.1 (2005) TV Episode .... Herself
12. The 77th Annual Academy Awards (2005) (TV) .... Herself - Presenter: Song Nominee: 'Al Otro Lado Del RÃ*o'/Co-presenter: Best Sound, Best Sound Editing
13. The 20th IFP Independent Spirit Awards (2005) (TV) .... Herself (presenter: special awards)
14. An Evening of Stars: Tribute to Quincy Jones (2005) (TV) .... Herself
15. "Late Show with David Letterman"
... aka Late Show Backstage (USA: title for episodes with guest hosts)
... aka The Late Show (USA: informal short title)
- Episode dated 8 December 2004 (2004) TV Episode .... Herself
16. "Inside the Actors Studio"
- Episode #11.9 (2004) TV Episode .... Herself
17. "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee"
... aka Live with Regis (USA: new title)
... aka Live with Regis & Kelly (USA: new title)
- Episode dated 10 November 2004 (2004) TV Episode .... Herself
18. "The Charlie Rose Show"
- Episode dated 8 November 2004 (2004) TV Episode .... Herself
19. "Total Request Live"
... aka TRL (USA: promotional abbreviation)
... aka Total Request with Carson Daly (USA)
- Episode dated 8 November 2004 (2004) TV Episode .... Herself
20. The Anti-Hero's Journey (2004) (V) .... Herself
21. Nobel Peace Prize Concert (2003) (TV) .... Hostess Nobel peace prize consert Desember 2005
22. "The Oprah Winfrey Show"
... aka Oprah (USA: short title)
- Episode dated 19 September 2003 (2003) TV Episode .... Herself
- Episode dated 23 June 1999 (1999) TV Episode .... Herself
- Episode dated 21 September 2006 (????) TV Episode .... Herself
23. "Tinseltown TV"
- Episode dated 13 September 2003 (2003) TV Episode .... Herself
24. "HBO First Look"
- Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003) TV Episode .... Herself
25. "God kveld Norge"
- Episode dated 6 September 2003 (2003) TV Episode .... Herself
26. MTV Video Music Awards 2003 (2003) (TV) .... Herself
27. Stupidity (2003) .... Herself
28. A Director's Journey: The Making of 'Red Dragon' (2003) (V) .... Herself
29. The 75th Annual Academy Awards (2003) (TV) .... Herself - Nominee: Best Actress in a Leading Role/Presenter: Best Foreign Language Film
30. "This Morning"
... aka This Morning with Richard and Judy (UK: informal title)
- Episode dated 13 February 2003 (2003) TV Episode .... Herself
31. World VDAY (2003) .... Herself
... aka Until the Violence Stops (USA: new title)
32. "Otro rollo con: Adal Ramones"
... aka Otro rollo (Mexico: short title)
- Episode dated 5 November 2002 (2002) TV Episode .... Herself
33. "Revealed with Jules Asner"
- Salma Hayek (2002) TV Episode .... Herself
- Ashley Judd (2002) TV Episode .... Herself
34. Searching for Debra Winger (2002) .... Herself
35. Playboy: Inside the Playboy Mansion (2002) (TV) .... Herself
36. "The Rosie O'Donnell Show"
- Episode dated 29 October 2001 (2001) TV Episode .... Herself
- Episode dated 23 December 1998 (1998) TV Episode .... Herself
- Episode dated 11 March 1997 (1997) TV Episode .... Herself
37. The Concert for New York City (2001) (TV) .... Herself
38. VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards (2001) (TV) .... Herself
39. America: A Tribute to Heroes (2001) (TV) .... Herself
40. My VH1 Music Awards (2000) (TV) .... Herself
41. Welcome to Hollywood (2000) .... Herself
42. Hollywood Goes to Hell (2000) (TV) .... Herself
43. "Howard Stern"
- Episode dated 12 July 2000 (2000) TV Episode .... Herself

44. The Will Smith Music Video Collection (1999) (V) .... Rita Escobar (segment "Wild Wild West")
45. "Action"
- Re-Enter the Dragon (1999) TV Episode .... Herself
46. Get Bruce (1999) .... Herself
... aka Get Bruce! (USA: promotional title)
47. Film-Fest DVD: Issue 2 - Cannes (1999) (V) .... Herself
48. Forever Hollywood (1999) (TV) .... Herself
49. ¿Quién diablos es Juliette? (1997) .... Herself
... aka Who the Hell Is Juliette?
50. The 69th Annual Academy Awards (1997) (TV) .... Herself - Presenter: 'For the First Time' Song

Filmography as: Actress, Producer, Soundtrack, Miscellaneous Crew, Director, Self, Archive Footage

Archive Footage

1. "Corazón de..."
- Episode dated 13 March 2006 (2006) TV Episode
2. "Entertainment Tonight"
- Episode dated 22 October 2005 (2005) TV Episode .... Herself
3. Saturday Night Live: The Best of Tracy Morgan (2004) (V) (uncredited) .... 1933 New York Wife
4. "Show de Cristina, El"
- CirugÃ*a sin Tabú (2004) TV Episode .... Herself
- Mi primera vez en El Show de Cristina (2004) TV Episode .... Herself
5. 101 Biggest Celebrity Oops (2004) (TV) .... Herself - #64: Salma Hayek: Rejected!/#84 Things They Shouldn't Have Said
6. "Celebrities Uncensored"
- Episode #2.3 (2004) TV Episode .... Herself
7. Sex at 24 Frames Per Second (2003) (V) (uncredited) .... Herself



Mainly started this to share the pics, but wow does she have a long resume. I first noticed her in Fools Rush In. One of my fave movies. I own it on dvd and yet watch it everytime it's on tv.

Her new Vogue Pictures!!!

novaleigh

those pics of her from Vogue are beautiful! She is such a gorgeous woman. And very talented too

Enigma

Love the pics! She's beautiful.

Very smart too which I love.

*Stacy*

I love that she's beautiful and smart. America always calls her the reverse Ugly Betty, because she's so beautiful on the outside, nobody ever takes her serious. I love that she jumped on this show and brought America in.

brexluv22

She is beautiful love the pics and god bless Selma cause betty is such genious.

goodbreakingbad

I can't wait to see her guest-starring stint starting this week!

*Stacy*

Me either. She looks amazing in the preview.

goodbreakingbad

She really does! I have a feeling her character will be such fun.

*Stacy*

Me too. There's this one turn she makes in the ep when she's talking to Daniel and she looks so pretty. I can't wait!! Almost here.

goodbreakingbad

Yay, it's here, I can't wait for tonight!

london grammar

Several more hours. She looked so pretty in the commercial.

goodbreakingbad

I think she's gonna be ballsy.

ETA: Omg, she was so cute on Ellen! I just finished watching it, she is gorgeous! Omg, the crickets. Ewww!

Enigma

So, did she eat real crickets?

goodbreakingbad

Yep, it's apparently one of her favorite foods...they looked fried...she made Ellen try.

Emelie

She seems really smart and intelligent. I always think it's so fun to see her on UB. Like her playing that maid on that TV show that Justin or whatever his name was, was watching.