Zoë Saldaña-Perego has officially become the highest-grossing actor in movie history. Her films have earned over $15 billion worldwide. This achievement places her ahead of famous stars like Tom Cruise and Robert Downey Jr.
Born in New Jersey and raised in New York and the Dominican Republic, Zoë faced tragedy early when her father died in a car accident. She found solace in dance, specifically ballet. Although she loved the art, her ambition pushed her toward acting, where she felt she could truly take center stage.
Her career began with a guest spot on Law & Order before her first film role in the dance movie Center Stage. Early roles in Pirates of the Caribbean helped her build the skills needed for the massive blockbusters that would eventually define her career.
Zoë is the only actor to star in four of the top ten highest-grossing films ever made. These include the Avatar series and Marvel’s Avengers films. Her roles as Neytiri and Gamora cemented her status as a Hollywood powerhouse.
In 2024, Zoë made history again by winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Emilia Pérez. She is the first Dominican American actress to win an Oscar. Today, she balances her record-breaking career with a grounded family life, raising her three sons to be multilingual.