Brooklyn-born actress Rosie Perez has appeared on Broadway, was nominated for an Oscar and is an activist for Puerto Rican rights. She started her career in the 1980s as a dancer on "Soul Train" and has choreographed music videos as well as the Fly Girls on "In Living Color." Look back at some of her most memorable movie roles since then.
Rosie Perez's movie career —
Brooklyn-born actress Rosie Perez has appeared on Broadway, was nominated for an Oscar and is an activist for Puerto Rican rights. She started her career in the 1980s as a dancer on "Soul Train" and has choreographed music videos as well as the Fly Girls on "In Living Color." Look back at some of her most memorable movie roles since then.
Ronald Riqueros/PatrickMcMullan.com/AP
Rosie Perez landed her first major acting role in Spike Lee's 1989 film, "Do the Right Thing."
Rosie Perez's movie career —
Rosie Perez landed her first major acting role in Spike Lee's 1989 film, "Do the Right Thing."
Universal/Everett
Tyra Ferrell (from left), Wesley Snipes, Woody Harrelson and Rosie Perez starred in 1992's "White Men Can't Jump."
Rosie Perez's movie career —
Tyra Ferrell (from left), Wesley Snipes, Woody Harrelson and Rosie Perez starred in 1992's "White Men Can't Jump."
20th Century Fox/Everett
Rosie Perez starred alongside Jeff Bridges in "Fearless." She was nominated for an Oscar for her role as Carla Rodrigo, who struggled with survivor's guilt after losing her son in a plane crash.
Rosie Perez's movie career —
Rosie Perez starred alongside Jeff Bridges in "Fearless." She was nominated for an Oscar for her role as Carla Rodrigo, who struggled with survivor's guilt after losing her son in a plane crash.
Warner Bros/Everett
Rosie Perez starred with Marisa Tomei in 1993's "Untamed Heart."
Rosie Perez's movie career —
Rosie Perez starred with Marisa Tomei in 1993's "Untamed Heart."
United International Pictures/Everett
Rosie Perez and Nicolas Cage played a feuding married couple in "It Could Happen to You," a part she almost didn't get because director Andy Bergman thought she was too nice for the role. "He couldn't see me as an annoying bitch," Perez wrote.
Rosie Perez's movie career —
Rosie Perez and Nicolas Cage played a feuding married couple in "It Could Happen to You," a part she almost didn't get because director Andy Bergman thought she was too nice for the role. "He couldn't see me as an annoying bitch," Perez wrote.
TriStar/Everett
Perez played the role of Grace, a mom trying to juggle her career and motherhood in the 1999 film "The 24 Hour Woman."
Rosie Perez's movie career —
Perez played the role of Grace, a mom trying to juggle her career and motherhood in the 1999 film "The 24 Hour Woman."
Artisan Entertainment/Everett
Rosie Perez plays a cop in the comedy "Pineapple Express." She described Gary Cole's style of acting as free flowing, yet serious.
Rosie Perez's movie career —
Rosie Perez plays a cop in the comedy "Pineapple Express." She described Gary Cole's style of acting as free flowing, yet serious.
Columbia Pictures/Everett
Maggie Gyllenhaal (from left), Rosie Perez and Viola Davis starred in 2012's "Won't Back Down." In the film, a mother and teacher try to take over a failing inner-city school.
Rosie Perez's movie career —
Maggie Gyllenhaal (from left), Rosie Perez and Viola Davis starred in 2012's "Won't Back Down." In the film, a mother and teacher try to take over a failing inner-city school.
20th Century Fox/Everett