15 Most Popular Puerto Rican Actors You Should Know About

Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island with a rich history, culture, natural beauty and delicious cuisine. But despite its size, the island has produced some of the biggest names in entertainment, like musicians Daddy Yankee, Jennifer Lopez and Bad Bunny. Aside from musicians, the nation is also renowned for its talented actors. But who are they? Who are the most popular Puerto Rican actors?

If you love films and TV shows, you most certainly have come across some of these entertainers from Puerto Rico. They have established themselves locally and internationally, amassing fans from all parts of the world. For this reason, it is only natural that their careers have generated interest from the public, with many interested to know more about them.

Popular Puerto Rican actors

Puerto Rican actors have starred in various films and television shows, both in Hollywood and in Puerto Rico. Some of them have also won awards and recognition for their performances. But with such an extensive list to choose from, who are the most famous names?

Opinions and rankings in this article about the most popular Puerto Rican actors represent subjective evaluations based on acting roles, awards, and fan votes through ranking sites like Ranker.

1. Benicio Del Toro

• Full name: Benicio Del Toro
• Date of birth: 19 February 1967
• Place of birth: San Germán, United States, with Territories

Benicio Del Toro is among the most popular Puerto Rican actors in Hollywood, having appeared in various notable films and TV shows. His career as an actor has seen him receive an Academy Award (Oscars), Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Award.

Per IMDb, Benicio has 65 acting credits (at the time of writing) and is known for his roles in films such as The Usual Suspects, Sicario, The Revenant, and The Wolf of Wall Street.

2. Raul Julia

• Full name: Raul Julia
• Date of birth: 9 March 1940
• Place of birth: San Juan, Puerto Rico

Raul Julia was a Golden Globe and Emmy-winning actor who starred in films such as The Addams Family, Scarface, Desperado, and Men in Black. At the time of his death in 1994, the actor had 52 acting credits and had featured in various films and TV shows.

3. Luis Guzmán

• Full name: Luis Guzmán
• Date of birth: 28 August 1956
• Place of birth: Cayey, Puerto Rico

If you are looking for a famous actor who is Puerto Rican, chances are you are looking for Luis Guzmán. The actor is among the most popular and longest-serving actors from Puerto Rico, with a career spanning over 40 years.

Some of Luis Guzmán's notable roles include appearing in films such as Boogie Nights, Traffic, Narcos, and How to Make It in America. Guzmán has also voiced characters in video games such as Grand Theft Auto IV and Grand Theft Auto V.

4. Ramón Rodríguez

• Full name: Ramón Rodríguez
• Date of birth: 20 December 1979
• Place of birth: Río Piedras, Puerto Rico

Ramón Rodríguez is a Puerto Rican actor known for his roles in the TV shows Will Trent, The Wire and Day Break, and in the films Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and The Taking of Pelham 123. According to IMDb, Ramón has 32 acting credits (at the time of writing) and is the winner of the 2019 Winter Film Awards.

5. Shalim Ortiz

• Full name: Shalim Ortiz
• Date of birth: 26 February 1979
• Place of birth: San Juan, Puerto Rico

Shalim Ortiz is famous for his various film and TV show roles. Some of his notable TV roles include appearing in All Rise, NCIS: Los Angeles, Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, and Hawaii Five-0. Ortiz has also starred in films such as The Last Stand 2: Texas Rangers vs. Mexican Cartel.

6. Amaury Nolasco

• Full name: Amaury Nolasco Garrido
• Date of birth: 24 December 1970
• Place of birth: Vieques, Puerto Rico

Though Amaury Nolasco identifies as a Dominican actor, he was born and raised in Puerto Rico to Dominican parents. He is famous for his role as Fernando Sucre in the FOX TV series Prison Break. Currently, Amaury has 61 acting credits and has appeared in various films and TV shows such as CSI: Miami and Speed Kills.

7. Carlos Ponce

• Full name: Carlos Armando Ponce Freyre Jr.
• Date of birth: 4 September 1972
• Place of birth: Santurce, Puerto Rico

Carlos Ponce is a famous actor, musician, model, and television personality known for his roles in Spanish-language soap operas for Televisa and Telemundo. Some of his TV roles include Beverly Hills, 90210, and 7th Heaven. Carlos Ponce is also known for voicing characters in various animations, including Rio, Free Birds, The Pirate Fairy and Ice Age: Collision Course.

8. Paul Calderón

• Full name: Paul Calderón
• Date of birth: 1951 or 1952
• Place of birth: Puerto Rico

Paul Calderón is an actor, writer, director and producer who has been active in the film and television industry since 1984. He is best known for his roles in films such as Out of Sight, Pulp Fiction, King of New York, and Justified: City Primeval. He has also appeared in TV shows such as Miami Vice, Bad Lieutenant, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

9. Ismael Cruz Córdova

• Full name: Ismael Enrique Cruz Córdova
• Date of birth: 7 April 1987
• Place of birth: Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico

Ismael Cruz Córdova is a famous actor from Puerto Rico who gained national attention playing Mando on Sesame Street. He has appeared in various films and TV shows such as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, CSI: NY, Blue Bloods, Ray Donovan and Criminal Minds.

10. Julian Acosta

• Full name: Julian Acosta
• Date of birth: 7 August 1987
• Place of birth: Santurce, Puerto Rico

Julian Acosta is among the famous young Puerto Rican actors renowned for his roles as Guy Guillet in Hand of God and Craig Sterling in Madam Secretary. According to IMDb, the star had 49 acting roles (at the time of writing) and appeared in the TV series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,The Rookie and Major Crimes.

11. Wilmer Calderon

• Full name: Wilmer Calderon
• Date of birth: 8 May 1975
• Place of birth: Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Wilmer Calderon is among the top male Puerto Rican actors, having featured in various films and TV shows. The star has over 80 acting credits and is best known for his role as Diego in the Amazon Prime television series Borderline. Calderon has also appeared as Detective Daniel Arias in the police drama series Bosch and as Ricky in the FX drama series The Shield.

12. Joaquin Phoenix

• Full name: Joaquin Phoenix
• Date of birth: 28 October 1974
• Place of birth: San Juan, Puerto Rico

Joaquin Phoenix is an acclaimed American actor with Puerto Rican roots. He is known for his roles in independent films and period dramas, with his latest movies being Napoleon and Beau Is Afraid. He has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Grammy Award, and two Golden Globe Awards.

13. Renoly Santiago

• Full name: Renoly Santiago
• Date of birth: 15 March 1974
• Place of birth: Lajas, Puerto Rico

Renoly Santiago is among the longest-serving Puerto Rican actors, having begun his career in 1993. The star is well known for his roles in the films Daylight, Punks and Con Air. Santiago also appeared in the TV series Touched by an Angel, Winners & Losers, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent.

14. Ramón Franco

• Full name: Ramón Luis Franco
• Date of birth: 12 September 1963
• Place of birth: Caguas, Puerto Rico

Ramón Luis Franco is a film and television actor well known for his role in the Vietnam series Tour of Duty, where he played Alberto Ruiz. He also appeared in Clint Eastwood's movie Heartbreak Ridge in 1986 and the TV series The Bridge as Mexican cartel leader Fausto Galván. Ramón began his career as an actor in 1979 and has 72 acting credits (at the time of writing).

15. Armando Riesco

• Full name: Armando Riesco
• Date of birth: 5 December 1977
• Place of birth: Mayagüez, Puerto Rico

Armando Riesco is a famous actor from Puerto Rico who is known for his roles in independent films such as Pieces of April, Garden State, and Adult World. He has also appeared in major Hollywood films, including National Treasure, World Trade Center, 25th Hour, and Fever Pitch.

Wrapping up

Above is a list of some of the most popular Puerto Rican actors. These stars have dominated the niche to become some of the most celebrated actors from Puerto Rico. Notable names include Luis Guzmán, Benicio del Toro, Ramón Franco, Armando Riesco and Paul Calderón.

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