Rosie Perez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rosie Perez
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|---|---|
Perez at the New York premiere of
Won't Back Down in 2012 |
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| Born |
Rosa Maria Perez
September 6, 1964 Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
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| Education | Los Angeles City College West Los Angeles College |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1983–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Seth Zvi Rosenfeld
(m. 1998; div. 2001)Eric Haze
(m. 2013) |
| Awards | Full list |
Rosa Maria Perez (born September 6, 1964) is an American actress and dancer. She became famous for her role as Tina in the movie Do the Right Thing (1989). She also starred in popular films like White Men Can't Jump (1992) and Birds of Prey (2020).
Perez received an Academy Award nomination for her performance in the 1993 film Fearless. She has also been nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards for her work on the TV shows In Living Color and The Flight Attendant. Besides movies, she has acted in Broadway plays and was a co-host on the talk show The View.
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Early Life
Rosie Perez was born on September 6, 1964, in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Her parents were from Puerto Rico. Perez had a difficult childhood and spent time in foster care. She and her nine siblings were often separated.
Despite these challenges, she was a determined student. She attended Grover Cleveland High School in Queens, New York. Her aunt, Ana Dominga, later became her guardian and provided a stable home for her.
Career
How Her Career Began
Perez began her career as a dancer. When she was 19, she was a dancer on the popular TV show Soul Train. At the time, she was studying biochemistry at Los Angeles City College. A talent scout for Soul Train saw her dancing in a club and asked her to be on the show. She loved dancing so much that she decided to leave college to follow her passion.
In 1988, director Spike Lee noticed her dancing in a club. He hired her for her first major acting role in his film Do the Right Thing (1989). This movie was her big break.
Rise to Fame
After her first movie, Perez's career took off. She became a choreographer for the dance group, the Fly Girls, on the comedy show In Living Color. She also choreographed music videos for famous artists like Janet Jackson and Diana Ross.
She returned to acting with a starring role in the hit comedy White Men Can't Jump (1992). Her performance in the 1993 drama Fearless earned her a nomination for an Academy Award. This is one of the highest honors an actor can receive.
Film, Television, and Broadway
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Perez starred in many films. She acted alongside Nicolas Cage in It Could Happen to You (1994). She also voiced the character Chel in the animated movie The Road to El Dorado (2000). In 2008, she played a police officer in the comedy Pineapple Express.
In 2014, Perez became a co-host on the ABC talk show The View for its 18th season. She has also starred in several Broadway plays, including The Ritz and Fish in the Dark.
More recently, she played the superhero Renee Montoya in the DC movie Birds of Prey (2020). For her role in the TV series The Flight Attendant, she earned another Emmy nomination. In 2021, she appeared in the family movie Clifford the Big Red Dog.
Activism
Perez is a dedicated activist for Puerto Rican rights. She has used her fame to bring attention to important issues.
- She directed and starred in the documentary Yo soy Boricua, pa'que tu lo sepas! (I'm Puerto Rican, Just So You Know!). The film explores her Puerto Rican heritage and her activism.
- She has worked on campaigns to raise awareness about AIDS.
- President Barack Obama appointed her to a special council on HIV/AIDS in 2010.
- She is the chair of the artistic board for Urban Arts Partnership. This group helps students in New York City through arts education.
Personal Life
Perez was married to filmmaker Seth Zvi Rosenfeld from 1998 to 2001. On September 15, 2013, she married artist Eric Haze. As of 2014, they live in the Clinton Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn.
In 2014, Perez published her autobiography, Handbook for an Unpredictable Life. In the book, she shares stories about her life and how she overcame challenges.
Key Roles
Here are some of Rosie Perez's most well-known roles in movies and television:
- Do the Right Thing (1989) as Tina
- In Living Color (1990–1993) as a Fly Girl and choreographer
- White Men Can't Jump (1992) as Gloria Clemente
- Fearless (1993) as Carla Rodrigo
- The Road to El Dorado (2000) as the voice of Chel
- Pineapple Express (2008) as Officer Carol Brazier
- The View (2014–2015) as a co-host
- Birds of Prey (2020) as Renee Montoya
- The Flight Attendant (2020–2022) as Megan Briscoe
- Clifford the Big Red Dog (2021) as Lucille
See also
In Spanish: Rosie Perez para niños
