Zoe Saldaña

Zoë Yadira Saldaña-Perego, born on June 19, 1978, in Passaic, New Jersey, is a celebrated American actress known for her powerful presence in both film and television. Raised in Queens, New York, Saldaña is of Dominican and Puerto Rican heritage. She spent part of her childhood in the Dominican Republic before returning to New York City to finish her education at Newtown High School.

Saldaña’s career began with a guest role on Law & Order in 1999, and she soon gained recognition for her role as a ballet dancer, Eva Rodriguez, in Center Stage (2000). She continued to rise in prominence with roles in films like Crossroads (2002) and gained widespread fame for portraying Nyota Uhura in the Star Trek reboot series (2009-2016). Her role as Neytiri in James Cameron’s Avatar (2009) further solidified her status as one of Hollywood’s leading actresses. Saldaña also played the iconic character Gamora in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, concluding her role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023).

In 2024, Saldaña starred in the musical crime film Emilia Pérez, where her portrayal of attorney Rita Moro Castro earned her numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, BAFTA, and Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress. She made history as the first American of Dominican descent to win an Oscar. Recognized by Time as one of the most influential people of 2023, Saldaña continues to advocate for diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry, using her platform to inspire and empower others.