Top 10 Colombian Actors

Sofía Margarita Vergara Vergara was born and raised in Barranquilla, Colombia. Her mother, Margarita Vergara Dávila de Vergara, is a housewife. Her father, Julio Enrique Vergara Robayo, provides cattle to the meat industry. She has five siblings. She was educated at a private bilingual Spanish/English school. She then went on to study pre-dentistry. However, Sofía was discovered by a photographer, whilst at the beach, and this led to various jobs in modeling and television. At age 23, she was a runway model. From 1995 to 1998, she co-hosted a travel show, Fuera de serie (1995), which gave her exposure in the United States. Her first film role was the criminal comedy Big Trouble (2002). Her breakthrough role was as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on the American television series Modern Family (2009). In 2010-2013, she received four Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for this role. Sofía resides in Los Angeles, California with her son, Manolo.

Fast-talking and feisty-looking John Leguizamo has continued to impress movie audiences with his versatility: he can play sensitive and naïve young men, such as Johnny in Hangin' with the Homeboys (1991); cold-blooded killers like Benny Blanco in Carlito's Way (1993); a heroic Army Green Beret, stopping aerial terrorists in Executive Decision (1996); and drag queen Chi-Chi Rodriguez in To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995). Arguably, not since ill-fated actor and comedian Freddie Prinze starred in the smash TV series Chico and the Man (1974) had a youthful Latino personality had such a powerful impact on critics and fans alike.

John Alberto Leguizamo Peláez was born July 22, 1960, in Bogotá, Colombia, to Luz Marina Peláez and Alberto Rudolfo Leguizamo. He was a child when his family emigrated to the United States. He was raised in Queens, New York, attended New York University and studied under legendary acting coach Lee Strasberg for only one day before Strasberg passed away. The extroverted Leguizamo started working the comedy club circuit in New York and first appeared in front of the cameras in an episode of Miami Vice (1984). His first film appearance was a small part in Mixed Blood (1984), and he had minor roles in Casualties of War (1989) and Die Hard 2 (1990) before playing a liquor store thief who shoots Harrison Ford in Regarding Henry (1991). His career really started to soar after his first-rate performance in the independent film Hangin' with the Homeboys (1991) as a nervous young teenager from the Bronx out for a night in brightly lit Manhattan with his buddies, facing the career choice of staying in a supermarket or heading off to college and finding out that the girl he loves from afar isn't quite what he thought she was.

The year 1991 was also memorable for other reasons, as he hit the stage with his show John Leguizamo: Mambo Mouth (1991), in which he portrayed seven different Latino characters. The witty and incisive show was a smash hit and won the Obie and Outer Circle Critics Award, and later was filmed for HBO, where it picked up a CableACE Award. He returned to the stage two years later with another satirical production poking fun at Latino stereotypes titled John Leguizamo: Spic-O-Rama (1993). It played in Chicago and New York, and won the Drama Desk Award and four CableACE Awards.

In 1995 he created and starred in the short-lived TV series House of Buggin' (1995), an all-Latino-cast comedy variety show featuring hilarious sketches and comedic routines. The show scored two Emmy nominations and received positive reviews from critics, but it was canceled after only one season. The gifted Leguizamo was still keeping busy in films, with key appearances in Super Mario Bros. (1993), Romeo + Juliet (1996) and Spawn (1997). In 1998 he made his Broadway debut in John Leguizamo: Freak (1998), a "demi-semi-quasi-pseudo-autobiographical" one-man show, which was filmed for HBO by Spike Lee.

Utilizing his distinctive vocal talents, he next voiced a pesky rat in Doctor Dolittle (1998) before appearing in the dynamic Spike Lee-directed Summer of Sam (1999) as a guilt-ridden womanizer, as the Genie of The Lamp in the exciting Arabian Nights (2000) and as Henri DE Toulouse Lautrec in the visually spectacular Moulin Rouge! (2001). He also voiced Sid in the animated Ice Age (2002), co-starred alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in Collateral Damage (2002) and directed and starred in the boxing film Undefeated (2003). Subsequently, Leguizamo starred in the remake of the John Carpenter hit Assault on Precinct 13 (2005) and George A. Romero's long-awaited fourth "Dead" film, Land of the Dead (2005).

There can be no doubt that the remarkably talented Leguizamo has been a breakthrough performer for the Latino community in mainstream Hollywood, in much the same way that Sidney Poitier crashed through celluloid barriers for African-Americans in the early 1960s. Among his many strengths lies his ability to not take his ethnic background too seriously but also to take pride in his Latino heritage. He has opened many doors for his countrymen. A masterly and accomplished performer, movie audiences await Leguizamo's next exciting performance.

Born in Medellin, Colombia, Hector Luis Bustamante and his family moved to the United States at the age of 12. He began to act in school plays but was discouraged at being told his accent would never allow him to be a professional actor, Bustamante then decided to put his acting dreams on hold and after high school, spent the next several years honing his artistic talent. In 1995, he enrolled in the prestigious Parsons School of Design in New York to study graphic design yet he still yearned to act again. One afternoon heading home from work, he stumbled unto the set of "Nash Bridges" noticed that one of the leads was both Latino and had an accent. His return to acting was cemented.

In 1999, Bustamante made the decision to enroll in acting classes at the Shelton's Actors' Studio In San Francisco, where he studied under the watchful eye of acting coach and mentor Jean Shelton.

In 2002, Bustamante got his first major television role appearing on CBS drama series "The Agency," playing the head of the Colombian police. Two years later, Bustamante broke onto the movie scene as one of Bruce Willis' police officers in the film "Hostage" for Miramax.

Manolo Cardona was born on 25 April 1977 in Popayan, Cauca, Colombia. He is an actor and producer, known for Beverly Hills Chihuahua (2008), Undertow (2009) and Rubirosa (2018). He has been married to Valeria Santos since 2012. They have one child.

Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll was born on February 2, 1977, in Barranquilla, Colombia, to Nidia del Carmen Ripoll Torrado and William Alberto Mebarak Chadid. She is of Lebanese, Spanish, and Italian descent, contributing to her diverse musical influences.

During her elementary school years, Shakira was diagnosed with ADHD, which mainly manifested as hyperactivity. She was known among her peers for her belly dancing skills. Despite her enthusiasm for music, she faced early criticism when a school choir teacher told her she wouldn't succeed because she "sang like a goat." These challenges did not deter her passion for music and performance.

Shakira began her musical career at the age of 12, quickly gaining attention for her unique voice and energetic performances. Her breakthrough came with the album "MTV Unplugged," which won the Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album in 2001, marking her rise to international prominence.

Known for her fusion of Latin pop, urban, and other music styles, Shakira has created a distinctive sound that has garnered a global fan base. Her dynamic dance style, incorporating traditional belly dancing, further distinguishes her performances.

In addition to her music career, Shakira is recognized for her philanthropic efforts. She founded the Pies Descalzos Foundation, which focuses on providing education and nutrition to underprivileged children in Colombia.

Juanes was born on 9 August 1972 in Medellin, Colombia. He is a music artist and actor, known for Goal II: Living the Dream (2007), Juanes: Me enamora (2007) and Juanes: A dios le pido (2002). He has been married to Karen Martínez since 6 August 2004. They have three children.

Nina Garcia was born on 3 May 1965 in Barranquilla, Colombia. She is a producer and actress, known for Web Therapy (2008), Web Therapy (2011) and Literato (2023). She is married to David Conrod. They have two children.

Danna García was born on 4 February 1978 in Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia. She is an actress, known for Perro amor (1998), Un gancho al corazón (2008) and Alguien Te Mira (2010).