Zoë Saldaña is one of the most recognizable faces in modern science fiction and superhero cinema. Best known for playing Neytiri in Avatar, Gamora in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Nyota Uhura in Star Trek, she has built a career defined by blockbuster franchises and cultural impact.
Born on June 19, 1978, in Passaic, New Jersey, Saldaña grew up with a Dominican father and a Puerto Rican mother. Her full name is Zoë Yadira Saldaña-Perego (née Saldaña Nazario). Over the past two decades, she has become one of the highest-grossing actresses in history, starring in four films that each surpassed $2 billion at the global box office.
This article covers her movies, net worth, age, ethnicity, early life, and the roles that made her a household name. All information is drawn from verified public sources, including Wikipedia, IMDb, Britannica, and official profiles.
Zoë Saldaña movies
Saldaña’s filmography spans more than 20 years, with notable appearances across multiple genres. She made her feature film debut in the 2000 dance drama Center Stage, which showcased her ballet training. Early supporting roles followed in Crossroads (2002), Drumline (2002), Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), and The Terminal (2004).
Her breakthrough came in 2009, when she played Nyota Uhura in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek reboot and voiced Neytiri in James Cameron’s Avatar. The following year she joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), a role she reprised in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.
According to the Screen Actors Guild Foundation, Saldaña is the only actor to have appeared in four films that each grossed over $2 billion worldwide: Avatar, Avatar: The Way of Water, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.
Overview grid
- Full Name: Zoë Yadira Saldaña-Perego (née Saldaña Nazario)
- Born: June 19, 1978, Passaic, New Jersey, USA
- Occupation: Actress and producer
- Famous For: Avatar (Neytiri), Guardians of the Galaxy (Gamora), Star Trek (Uhura)
Key insights
- Saldaña is one of the highest‑grossing actresses of all time, having starred in four of the seven highest‑grossing films.
- She is known for playing blue‑ or green‑skinned characters in sci‑fi franchises.
- Her Dominican‑Puerto Rican heritage has made her a prominent figure in discussions about Latino representation in Hollywood.
- Net worth estimates for 2025 range between $35 million and $40 million, driven by blockbuster salaries and producing credits.
- She won an Oscar for her role in Emilia Pérez, according to biography sources.
- She began her career as a ballet dancer before transitioning to acting.
- Saldaña has been a vocal advocate for diversity in the film industry.
Snapshot facts
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthdate | June 19, 1978 |
| Birthplace | Passaic, New Jersey, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Dominican (father) and Puerto Rican (mother) |
| Net Worth | $35–40 million (2025 estimate) |
| Notable Roles | Neytiri (Avatar), Gamora (Guardians of the Galaxy), Uhura (Star Trek) |
| Awards | MTV Movie Award, ALMA Award, Oscar (for Emilia Pérez), multiple nominations |
| Social Media | Instagram: @zoesaldana (11M+ followers) |
Zoë Saldaña net worth
A precise net worth figure for Zoë Saldaña has not been officially disclosed. Entertainment industry estimates typically place her net worth in the range of $35 million to $40 million as of 2025. These estimates are based on her earnings from franchise films, producing projects, and endorsement deals.
Saldaña has never publicly confirmed a net worth figure. The $35–40 million range is an estimate derived from industry sources and should be treated as approximate.
Her role in the Avatar sequels, which involve long‑term performance‑capture work, is believed to be among the most lucrative contracts in Hollywood. She also earns from producing through her own company, though exact financial details remain private.
Zoë Saldaña age
Zoë Saldaña was born on June 19, 1978, which makes her 47 years old as of 2025. Her birth date is confirmed by multiple authoritative sources, including Wikipedia, IMDb, Biography.com, and Britannica.
Zoë Saldaña young – early life
Saldaña spent much of her childhood in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York, after her family moved there shortly after her birth. She began studying ballet at the age of nine and attended the prestigious Escuela Nacional de Danza in the Dominican Republic. After her father died in a car accident when she was nine, she returned to the United States. She later attended drama classes and began auditioning for television roles.
Her first on‑screen appearance was in an episode of Law & Order in 1999. Her feature debut came the following year with Center Stage, which drew directly on her dance training.
Zoë Saldaña ethnicity
Zoë Saldaña is of mixed ethnic heritage. Her father, Aridio Saldaña, was Dominican, and her mother, Asalia Nazario, is Puerto Rican. She has described herself as a “proud Latina.”
Her background has been noted in multiple sources, including IMDb, Biography.com, and international Wikipedia editions in Catalan, Portuguese, and Spanish. She has spoken openly about the importance of Dominican and Puerto Rican representation in her career.
Some sources refer to her ethnicity as “mixed” or “Latina.” The specific breakdown – Dominican father, Puerto Rican mother – is consistently reported across all major biographical sources.
Zoë Saldaña Avatar
Saldaña’s most iconic role is Neytiri, the Na’vi princess in James Cameron’s Avatar franchise. She performed the role through motion‑capture technology and voice work. The first film, released in 2009, became the highest‑grossing movie of all time at that point.
She reprised the role in Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) and is confirmed to appear in the upcoming sequels Avatar 3 (scheduled for 2025) and Avatar 4 (currently filming).
Zoë Saldaña Gamora
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Saldaña portrays Gamora, the adopted daughter of Thanos and a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy. She first appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and later in its sequel Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Avengers: Endgame (2019). The role is entirely live‑action with green makeup applied during production.
Zoë Saldaña young – timeline
- 1978 – Born in Passaic, New Jersey.
- 1999 – First acting role on an episode of Law & Order.
- 2000 – Feature film debut in Center Stage.
- 2009 – Starred as Neytiri in Avatar (became highest‑grossing film at the time) and as Uhura in Star Trek.
- 2014 – First appeared as Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy.
- 2018–2019 – Appeared in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
- 2022 – Returned as Neytiri in Avatar: The Way of Water.
- 2023 – Announced for Avatar 3 and Avatar 4.
- 2025 – Continues acting and producing ventures; Avatar 3 expected release.
What is certain and what is uncertain about Zoë Saldaña
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Date of birth: June 19, 1978 (confirmed by Wikipedia, IMDb, Biography.com, Britannica) | Net worth: varies by source; $35–$40 million is an estimate, not officially disclosed |
| Birthplace: Passaic, New Jersey, USA | Exact height: often listed as 5’7″ but not officially confirmed |
| Parents: Dominican father, Puerto Rican mother | Future project dates: Avatar sequels are confirmed but release dates may shift |
| Filmography: confirmed roles in Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Trek | – |
Career context: from ballet dancer to blockbuster queen
Saldaña’s path to stardom began with ballet. After training at the Escuela Nacional de Danza in the Dominican Republic, she shifted to acting and landed small television roles. Her early film work in dance‑related projects like Center Stage leveraged that background.
The decision to join major sci‑fi franchises – Star Trek, Avatar, and the MCU – profoundly shaped her global recognition. As Britannica notes, she became commercially dominant in science‑fiction and superhero genres. Her dual roles as a motion‑capture alien (Neytiri) and a live‑action green‑skinned character (Gamora) demonstrate unusual range within the same genre.
Representation has also been a key part of her career. As a Dominican‑Puerto Rican actress, she has frequently addressed the need for more Latino leads in Hollywood blockbusters.
Sources and key quotes
“I never wanted to be a movie star; I wanted to be an actress.”
— Zoë Saldaña, interview, 2022
“She is known primarily for her work in science fiction film franchises.”
— Wikipedia entry for Zoë Saldaña
Further reading: Wikipedia, IMDb, Instagram, Facebook, and Letterboxd.
Summary: everything you need to know about Zoë Saldaña
Zoë Saldaña is a 47‑year‑old American actress of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent, best known for playing Neytiri, Gamora, and Uhura in three of the most successful film franchises in history. Her estimated net worth is $35–40 million, though no official figure exists. She continues to lead major projects, with Avatar 3 expected in 2025 and further sequels in development.
Frequently asked questions about Zoë Saldaña
What is Zoë Saldaña’s IMDb page?
Zoë Saldaña’s IMDb page (www.imdb.com/name/nm0757855/) provides a complete filmography, biography, trivia, and photos. It is a reliable source for her acting credits.
What movies and TV shows has Zoë Saldaña been in?
Her major film roles include Avatar (2009), Star Trek (2009), Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), and their sequels. Early credits include Center Stage, Drumline, The Terminal, and Pirates of the Caribbean. She also appeared in the TV series Law & Order (1999).
Does Zoë Saldaña have any upcoming movies?
Yes. Avatar 3 is scheduled for release in 2025, and Avatar 4 is currently in production. Additional projects under her production company may be announced.
Is Zoë Saldaña on Netflix?
Some of her films are available on Netflix in certain regions, but availability changes frequently. Check your local Netflix library for titles like Guardians of the Galaxy or Avatar.
How tall is Zoë Saldaña?
Her height is often listed as 5’7″ (170 cm), but this has not been officially confirmed by her or her representatives.
What awards has Zoë Saldaña won?
She has won an Academy Award (for Emilia Pérez), an MTV Movie Award, and an ALMA Award, among others. She has received multiple nominations for her franchise work.
Is Zoë Saldaña married?
Yes. She married Marco Perego in 2013, and they have three children together. Her legal name includes Perego.
What is Zoë Saldaña’s Instagram handle?
Her official Instagram account is @zoesaldana, with over 11 million followers as of 2025.
Why is Zoë Saldaña famous?
She is famous for playing iconic roles in three major franchises: Neytiri in Avatar, Gamora in the MCU, and Nyota Uhura in Star Trek. She is also one of the few actors to star in four films that each grossed over $2 billion.
What is Zoë Saldaña’s net worth in 2025?
Industry estimates place her net worth between $35 million and $40 million. This figure is based on franchise earnings and producing projects, but has not been officially confirmed.
Sophie Kendall is Culture & Events Editor at DailyCity.co.uk, covering restaurants, nightlife, theatre, exhibitions, festivals and city life.