Salma Hayek's Biography

Salma Hayek was born on September 2, 1966, in Coatzacoalcos, Mexico. After watching Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) in a local movie theatre, Salma decided she wanted to become an actress. Her education included a stint at a New Orleans convent school. She was soon expelled. She landed the title role in "Teresa" (1989), a hugely successful soap opera which earned her the star status in her native Mexico. However, anxious to make films and to explore her talent and passion, Hayek left both "Teresa" (1989) and Mexico in 1991. After several small roles, Robert Rodriguez cast her alongside Antonio Banderas in Desperado. Her popularity soared, and some of her movie hits include Fools Rush In, Dogma, Wild Wild West, Traffic, Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over, and Across the Universe.