Zoe Saldana
Early Life
Zoe Saldana was born on June 19, 1978, in Passaic, New Jersey. She is of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent. Her father, Aridio Saldaña, was Dominican, while her mother, Asalia Nazario, is Puerto Rican. Saldana also has Lebanese and Haitian roots. She grew up bilingual, speaking both English and Spanish.
Career
Early Career
Saldana's career began with performances in theater shows and television series. Her first on-screen role was in a 1999 episode of the legal drama Law & Order. Her film debut came in 2000 with a supporting role in the teen drama Center Stage, where she played a talented ballet dancer.
Breakthrough
Saldana's breakthrough came in 2009 when she starred as Nyota Uhura in the film Star Trek. Her performance in the film was critically acclaimed and she reprised her role in its sequels, Star Trek Into Darkness and Star Trek Beyond.
Mainstream Success
In 2009, Saldana also starred in the highest-grossing film of all time, Avatar, directed by James Cameron. She played the character Neytiri, a Na'vi warrior, which required her to learn a constructed language and undergo extensive physical training.
Saldana continued to enjoy mainstream success with roles in films such as Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame, where she played the character Gamora.
Personal Life
Saldana is married to Italian artist Marco Perego. They have three children together. She is known for her advocacy work in various causes, including immigration reform and gender equality.
Filmography
Saldana has an extensive filmography that spans over two decades. Some of her most notable films include Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, The Terminal, Vantage Point, and Colombiana.
Awards and Nominations
Over the course of her career, Saldana has been nominated for numerous awards, including the Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and Screen Actors Guild Awards. She has won several awards for her performances, including the Saturn Award for Best Actress for her role in Avatar.