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Zoë Yadira Saldaña Nazario (born June 19, 1978) is an American actress. Known primarily for her work in dramas and science fiction films, she has starred in four of the highest-grossing films of all time. Films she has appeared in have grossed more than US$15 billion worldwide and, as of 2024, she is the highest-grossing film actress.

Born in Passaic, New Jersey and raised in New York, ...

1978–1998: Early life and background
Zoe Saldaña was born on June 19, 1978 in Passaic, New Jersey to Asalia Nazario and Aridio Saldaña. Her mother is Puerto Rican, while her father is Dominican. Initially raised in Queens, New York during her early years, she grew up with two sisters, Cisely and Maridel. In 1987, his father died in a car crash. She and her sisters relocated to the Dominican Republic, where her relatives resided at the time. Saldaña took up dance classes in the Dominican Republic. At age 17, she returned to New York and began performing in a theatrical troupe.

1999–2008: Career beginnings
Saldaña made her acting debut with an appearance in an episode of the crime drama series Law & Order (1999). The following year, she made her film debut in Center Stage, a film about ballet dancers from different backgrounds were trained ballet school in New York City, which is inspired from the School of American Ballet. She then appeared in Crossroads (2002). It featured her co-starring alongside the singer Britney Spears and actress Taryn Manning as three best friends taking on a road trip. The film was commercially successful, grossing US$61.1million at the box office, but it was panned by critics.

2009–2013: Star Trek, Avatar, and breakthrough
Saldaña began 2009 by starring first starred in the 2009 film Star Trek, a reboot of the franchise of the same name, playing Nyota Uhura. For her role, she credited her mother, who was a fan of the franchise, as her inspiration. Saldaña's final film appearance that year was in James Cameron's Avatar. She played the role of Neytiri, a princess in a Na'vi clan. During production, she helped actors in screen testing for the role of Jake Sully, which eventually went to actor Sam Worthington. The film broke many box office records and has grossed over US$2.9billion at the worldwide box office, becoming the highest-grossing film of all time.

Acting credits and accolades
According to the online portal Box Office Mojo, Saldaña's most commercially successful films include Avatar, Avengers: Endgame, Avatar: The Way of Water, and Avengers: Infinity War. Her films have grossed over US$15million at the box office, making her one of the highest-grossing actors of all time. She is the first actor to have four films gross US$2million at the box office.