Colombians Who Made it Big in Hollywood

Colombians and Colombian Americans have made a significant mark in the entertainment industry, many becoming famous public figures. While Sofia Vergara’s name is perhaps the most iconic when discussing famous Colombians in Hollywood, the celebrated actress is not the only one who has reached the pinnacle of success. Many other artists of Colombian descent have excelled in the entertainment industry.

Famous Colombian Americans in Hollywood

Sofia Vergara

Sofia Vergara is one of the most recognized Colombian actresses in Hollywood, standing out for her roles in various American film projects. Born in Barranquilla, she emigrated to the U.S. at age 26 seeking better opportunities in entertainment industry. Her biggest success came with her role in the ABC sitcom Modern Family (2009-2020), which positioned her as one of the highest-paid actresses on American television. She became a U.S. citizen in 2014. In addition to her acting career, Vergara is a model and businesswoman. She has also launched her own clothing line, beauty products and, most recently, her own coffee brand, “Dios Mio Coffee.”

John Leguizamo

John Leguizamo is a Colombian-American actor, comedian, and film producer renowned for his versatility and contributions to entertainment. Born in Bogota, he emigrated to the U.S. at age four and was raised in Queens, New York. Leguizamo gained recognition in the 1990s with standout roles in Hangin’ with the Homeboys, Carlito’s Way, and To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, earning a Golden Globe nomination. He is also celebrated for voicing Sid the Sloth in the Ice Age series and Bruno Madrigal in Encanto. His critically acclaimed one-man Broadway shows exploring Latino identity earned him four Tony nominations and a Special Tony Award in 2018.

Sofia Carson

Sofia Lauren Daccarett Char, known as Sofia Carson, is an American actress, singer, and dancer. It is not widely known that she has Colombian heritage, being the daughter of Barranquilla businessman José Daccarett and Laura Char Carson, who was crowned queen of the Barranquilla Carnival in 1989. Carson is best known for her roles in all three installments of the Descendants movies, and in the series Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists. Additionally, in recent years, she has starred in several Netflix films.

Sasha Calle

Sasha Marie Calle Roldan, known professionally as Sasha Calle, is an American actress with Colombian roots. The daughter of a Colombian mother, she lived in Medellin from the ages of 10 to 12, which is why her “paisa” accent is noticeable during her interviews in Spanish. Calle is known for her role as Lola Rosales in the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless, and more recently, for portraying Supergirl in DC Studios’ The Flash movie.

Diane Guerrero

Diane Guerrero is a Colombian American actress born in New Jersey to Colombian parents. She grew up in Boston and remained there after her family was deported to Colombia. Throughout her career, she has portrayed Maritza Ramos in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black and Lina in Jane the Virgin. Additionally, she had a recurring role in Are We There Yet? and voiced the character Isabela Madrigal in the original English version of the animated film Encanto.

Rachel Zegler

Rachel Zegler is a rising star in Hollywood’s film and music industries. Born in Hackensack, New Jersey, to a Colombian American mother and a Jewish father, Zegler gained international recognition when Steven Spielberg cast her as Maria in the 2021 remake of West Side Story, a role that earned her a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy. Since then, she has appeared in major productions such as Shazam! Fury of the Gods and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Most recently, she portrayed Snow White in Disney’s live-action adaptation.

Related: How Colombian Photographer Hernan Rodriguez Built a Career in Hollywood