Sept. 2: Salma Hayek is 45-years-old today.

Mexican actress, director producer, sometimes singer - and sensuous tango dancer- Salma Valgarma Hayek Jiménez-Pinault is one of the most prominent Mexican figures in Hollywood, and the second Mexican national to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Frida.

Born in born in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Mexico Hayek has been credited as a song performer in three movies. The first was Desperado for the song "Quedate Aquí." In Frida, she performed with band Los Vega the Mexican folk song "La Bruja." She also recorded "Siente mi amor," which played during the end credits of Once Upon a Time in Mexico. She also contributed to "Happiness is a Warm Gun" in Across the Universe as one of the singing nurses. Then there's the tango in "Frida" with Ashley Judd...

At the age of 23, Hayek landed the title role in Teresa (1989), a successful Mexican telenovela that made her a star in Mexico. In 1994, Hayek starred in the film El Callejón de los Milagros (Miracle Alley), which has won more awards than any other movie in the history of Mexican cinema. For her performance, Hayek was nominated for an Ariel Award ( Mexico's version of the Academy Awards.)

She moved to Los Angeles in 1991 with little ability to speak English.

-- Hayek was an executive producer on the hit TV show, Ugly Betty.

-- Recipient of Glamour magazine Woman of the Year Award in October 2001.

-- Recipient of Producers Guild of America Celebration of Diversity Award in 2003.

-- Recipient of Harvard Foundation Artist of the Year Award in February 2006.

-- Recipient of Time magazine 25 Most Influential Hispanics in 2005.

(Press album cover for direct link to the entire Amazon Website):

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