Born in Mexico, Salma Hayek's father's parents are from Lebanon. She started out in theatre in Mexico City in 1988, and a year later made her debut on Mexican TV starring in "Theresa".

In 1995 came Roberto Rodriguez's blockbuster "Desperado" with Antonio Banderas, and in 1997, "From Dusk Till Dawn" gave her and director Quentin Tarantino their big break. She has since made her name in Hollywood.