They come from Ghana, the Dominican Republic, Somalia, Puerto Rico, and everywhere in between. There are approximately 6 million Afro-Latinx people living in the United States, making up 2% of the adult population. Afro-Latinx actors are as rich and diverse as their origins, and they are proving that there is a place for them in the entertainment industry. Despite decades of underrepresentation and typecast roles, these Afro-Latinx talents are breaking down borders and barriers.
Pioneering Afro-Latinx Actor
MJ Rodriguez
MJ Rodriguez is best known for playing HIV-positive dancer, nail artist, and nurse Blanca Evangelista on FX’s critically acclaimed series “Pose.” The Afro-Puerto Rican made history as the first transgender actress to win a Golden Globe Award and the first transgender actress to be nominated for an Emmy in a major category. Off screen, she voiced the role of Audrey in the Pasadena Playhouse production of “Little Shop of Horrors.”
MJ Rodriguez attends the 2020 MAKERS Conference at InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown on February 12, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rachel Murray/Getty Images, Courtesy of MAKERS)
Laz Alonso
Before Cuban-American Laz Alonso made his film debut, he worked as an investment banker on Wall Street. Born and raised in Washington DC, Alonso began his career in entertainment as a host for BET and NYLA before landing his big break in 2009 as Phoenix Calderon in the fourth installment of the Fast and Furious series. He then went on to play Tsutey in the sci-fi hit Avatar. A graduate of Howard University, Alonso has also played a variety of TV roles.
Laz Alonso (Getty Images)
Tessa Thompson
Tessa Thompson, who is of Afro-Panamanian descent, rose to fame with her role as Sam White in the film Dear White People, and also had a breakout role in Ava DuVernay’s Selma in the same year. Prior to that, she starred in Tyler Perry’s film adaptation of Four Colored Girls, a heavy-hitting drama about a group of black women in New York. Thompson grew up in both Los Angeles and Brooklyn, and said that her mother helped her explore her identity, saying, “My mom is a woman of color, and that may not be easily recognized. Because of that, I feel like she always gave me the space to explore my identity and give me the opportunity to know who I am.”
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 05: Tessa Thompson attends the premiere of HBO’s “Westworld” season 3 at the TCL Chinese Theatre on March 5, 2020 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Fraser Harrison/Getty Images)
Rosario Dawson
Of Cuban and African descent, Rosario Dawson’s first big role was in the 1995 indie film Kids, about a promiscuous teen gang in New York. The early 2000s saw her stay busy with roles in Men in Black 2, Rent and Seven Pounds. She then returned to her indie roots, co-starring opposite Vanessa Hudgens in Gimme Shelter.
Rosario Dawson attends the “Ahsoka” FYC Event at the DGA Theater in Los Angeles, California on June 2, 2024. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)
Gina Torres
Gina Torres, a Spanish speaking and opera singer, has lent her skills to major television shows such as “Suits” and “9-1-1 Lone Star.” In addition to being a lead actress, she has also had supporting roles in shows such as “24,” “Gossip Girl” and “The Vampire Diaries.” Torres also serves as an executive producer on her own spin-off series, “Pearson,” inspired by her character Jessica Pearson on “Suits.”
Gina Torres attends the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California on January 7, 2024. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Amara La Negra
Diana Danelis de los Santos, better known as Amara la Negra, began singing on the Spanish-language show “Sabado Gigante” at age 4 as the only black female cast member. Although de los Santos’ music career includes the hit song “Ayy,” she faced harassment because of the color of her skin. On “Love & Hip Hop: Miami,” de los Santos addressed discrimination because of her skin color as an Afro-Latina.
Afro-Latin singer Amara La Negra (Getty Images)
Colman Domingo
Colman Domingo’s breakthrough came when he played Mr. Bones in the Tony Award-winning musical, The Scottsboro Boys. His powerful performance caught the eye of director Barry Jenkins, who cast him in the Academy Award-winning film, If Beale Street Could Talk. Domingo’s career took another step up with his performance as a charismatic preacher in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, which garnered him widespread acclaim and cemented his status as one of the most dynamic and versatile actors of his generation. Domingo is of Belizean and Guatemalan descent.
Colman Domingo (Getty Images)
Jharrel Jerome
Jharrel Jerome rose to fame in 2016 when he was cast as young Kevin in the Oscar-nominated film Moonlight. Director Ava DuVernay noticed him during auditions for The Man Who Showed Up and offered him the role of Korey Wise, which led to Jerome becoming the first Afro-Latinx and Dominican to win an Emmy for acting.
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 27: Jharrel Jerome attends the 33rd Annual Gotham Awards Ceremony at Cipriani Wall Street on November 27, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images) – Credit: Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Dascha Polanco
Dominican-born actress Dascha Polanco captivated viewers with her role as Daya Diaz on Orange is the New Black from 2013 to 2019. In 2021, she was cast as Cuca, one of the salon’s female clients, in the film adaptation of the Hispanic hip-hop musical In the Heights. Her voice can also be heard in the animated series Karma’s World.
Dascha Polanco gives us old Hollywood glamour on the red carpet (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Lisa Colon Zayas
Liza Colon-Zayas built a reputation as a versatile actress through her performances on stage, especially in the acclaimed one-woman show “Sister Supreme.” Her talent caught the eye of director Steven Soderbergh, who landed her roles in television series such as “David Makes Man” and “In Treatment.” In 2023, she gained widespread recognition for her role as Tina in the hit show “The Bear,” showcasing her dynamic acting range and establishing herself as a standout performer in the industry.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 15: Liza Colon-Zayas, winner of Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for “The Bear,” poses in the press room at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony held at the Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Fraser Harrison/Getty Images)
The Future of Afro-Latino Representation in Hollywood
There’s always a demand for more diverse storytelling in Hollywood, and Afro-Latinx actors are ready to continue to fill that gap. These talented creators are opening doors to people who look like them while changing the narrative about diversity in TV and film.
