87 Paz Vega

Though she’s only recently stepped into the spotlight, Paz Vega has been a fixture among Spanish viewers for almost a decade. Paz has appeared in such critically acclaimed foreign films as 2001’s Sex and Lucia, 2002’s Talk to Her and 2002’s The Other Side of the Bed. Her North American breakthrough came out in 2004: Spanglish, written and directed by James L. Brooks, cast Paz as a Mexican maid who comes to live with a rich American family, and there’s little doubt that the actress was more than able to hold her own opposite renowned stars Adam Sandler and Tea Leoni.

It’s no wonder that this is the third year in a row that Paz ranks on this list, as the actress continues to challenge herself by taking on vastly different roles. Paz’s sole American film made in 2006 was the quirky comedy 10 Items or Less, in which she played a feisty grocery store clerk who forms an unlikely friendship with a big Hollywood star (Morgan Freeman). The film attracted attention when it was revealed that it would be opening in theaters at roughly the same time that it would be available for download. Paz also made an appearance in the Spanish film Los Borgia, though it has yet to find a North American distributor.

In addition to a pair of foreign-language films Teresa, el cuerpo de Cristo, a biography of Saint Teresa, and La Masseria della allodole, the latest work from the acclaimed Taviani brothers -- Paz is due to appear in the Christopher Walken thriller Fade to Black. But given the recent announcement that Paz is expecting her first child, it seems likely that the actress will be taking a short break from the business over the next year or so. At any rate, Paz will continue to rank as one of the hottest Latin imports around, alongside such notable names as Penelope Cruz and Salma Hayek.

Paz Vega
Paz Vega pictures
Paz Vega pics
Paz Vega Gallery

87 Paz Vega