Fact Sheet:

Birthdate: September 2, 1966
Birthplace: Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Mexico
Occupation: Actor
Quote: "I have gotten a lot more attention than...other women that I find incredibly beautiful. And this has happened to me ever since I was a girl, when I was flat, had no teeth, was skinny and small as I could be. I always got more attention than anyone else. If I hadn't, I would have made sure I did..." --Movieline magazine, January 1997
Claim to Fame: 1995: Breakthrough Hollywood feature role, costarring opposite Antonio Banderas in Desperado
Significant Other(s): Richard Crenna Jr., actor; met in an acting class (1991); engaged; no longer together
Edward Atterton, actor; dated in 1997; met during filming of The Hunchback. Edward Norton, actor
Father: Sami Hayek Dominguez, businessman; Lebanese; ran for mayor of Coatzacoalcos, Mexico (1997)
Mother: Diana Hayek, opera singer and talent scout; Mexican
Brother: Sami; younger
Awards:
1989: TV Novela (Mexico's equivalent to the Emmy): Best Actress, Teresa
1989: TV Novela: Best Newcomer, Nuevo Amanecer
Factoids: At age 12, Salma told her father she would "go on strike" and fail all of her classes if he didn't allow her to go to school in America
Education: Catholic school in Texas; expelled after two years (was in her early teens at the time)
National University of Mexico; left to study acting
Stella Adler Conservatory, Los Angeles, California
Contact: Salma Hayek
P.O. Box 57593
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

Biography: Born in southeast Mexico, daughter of a Lebanese father and a Mexican mother, Hayek began her career in Mexican TV soap operas in late 80's. After having some success with titles such as Nuevo Amanecer and Teresa, Hayek left a relatively easy career in Mexican TV and traveled to Los Angeles, searching for the promised land: Hollywood. After some minor roles, Hayek began to be noticed as a good actress in Desperado (1995). She returned to Mexico to film Callejon de los Milagros, El (1995) and was nominated for an Ariel (Mexican Academy Award). Hayek is considered to be the first Mexican actress to become a Hollywood movie star since Dolores Del Rio.