Rosario Dawson

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Rosario Dawson does not have your typical Hollywood story. Growing up in Manhattan's Lower East Side, her mom and dad, a professional vocalist and construction worker respectively, often struggled to make ends meet, and her family was forced to squat in an abandoned building during most of her childhood. Rosario attended an alternative school in downtown Manhattan and had dreams of becoming a marine biologist, but fate soon stepped in to change her career path. In 1995, while a then 16 year old Rosario was hanging out on her front porch, independent filmmaker Larry Clark walked by and was so struck by her unique looks (she is of Irish, Native American and Afro-Cuban descent) that he asked her to be in his next film. That independent film turned out to be the highly lauded independent movie, Kids. Rosario's raw performance earned critical praise and she decided to actively pursue acting as an occupation. She attended the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute and continued to work steadily. Rosario has amassed a large body of work that ranges from independent films to big budget blockbusters. Following the success of Kids, she has been featured in such films as Spike Lee's He Got Game with Denzel Washington, Men In Black II with Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, Alexander with Colin Farrell and Angelina Jolie and the highly popular musical turned movie, Rent. She has also worked with the notable Quentin Tarantino/Robert Rodriguez directing team in the motion pictures, Sin City with Jessica Alba and Grindhouse with Rose McGowan. Next on Rosario's slate are the feature films, Killshot alongside Diane Lane and fellow indie favorite, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Eagle Eye with one of Hollywood's It boys, Shia LaBeouf. She is also scheduled to appear in the highly anticipated sequel to Sin City, scheduled to be released in 2009. There is more to this hard working actress than just her talent, however. Rosario is heavily involved in the Lower East Side Girls Club and several charities, such as Bono's ONE Campaign, Amnesty International, PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), and the International Rescue Committee. In 2004, staying connected to her unique background, Rosario co-founded Voto Latino, an organization which works to increase empowerment within the Latino community by using celebrities, technology and youth to promote positive change through taking such action as registering to vote. Rosario recently received the 2007 Hispanic Heritage Award for Vision in recognition of her work with the organization. For more information about Voto Latino, go to www.votolatino.org. Rosario's story may not be the typical Hollywood fairy tale, but she is truly an actress of immense talent, who has taken the lucky chance of being discovered to greater heights. In a little over a decade she has created a lengthy resume of work that has garnered her much success and critical praise. She has also taken the fame afforded to her and utilized her name towards good causes that benefit all of humanity. Young Hollywood is looking forward to seeing what else she will accomplish in the coming years!