Finally breaking out in her role as Carolina in Desperado, Salma’s career took off. This film brought her fame, recognition, and a lifelong relationship with director Robert Rodriguez. In 1996, he gave her the role as Santanico Pandemonium in his movie From Dusk till Dawn, where she co-starred with George Clooney. In 1997 she starred in the romantic comedy Fools Rush In with Matthew Perry. As her career progressed on, her roles increased with larger star-studded casts.  As she established herself in the acting world, Salma grew into a high-profile movie star. In 1999, Hayek found herself in one of the leading roles in Wild Wild West with Will Smith.

 

The self-proclaimed high point of her career is when she produced and starred in her dream role. It was a role that she wanted to bring to the big screen since arriving in Hollywood, a role that honored a woman she had looked up to all her life, a role that told the story of legendary Mexican painter, Frida Kahlo. This film was filled was amazing stars, passion, and enthusiasm. It “was nominated for six Oscars, including best actress for Salma, who was the first Latina actress to be nominated in the category” (Biography).

She has also made appearances in Spy Kids 3, Grown Ups, Grown Ups 2, Savages and is currently working on several other films, as well. Throughout her career, though, Salma has proved that she is not only a wonderful actress, but also a talented producer. She has produced several different works, including Frida and the television series Ugly Betty (Biography; 40 Interesting). In addition, she has proven that she can excel as a voice actor. She voiced several roles, such as in Puss in Boots, where she played Kitty Softpaws (Taboola). She has also has several singing credits such as in Desperado and Once Upon a Time in Mexico, where her song “Siente Mi Amor” can be found in the ending credits (40 Interesting).