Actors You Probably Didn’t Know Were White

It’s not uncommon for people to assume an actor is of a non-European ethnicity based on their last name, where they were born, or if they speak multiple languages, even if their family history is actually European. The actors listed below all have European roots, though their work and public persona often celebrate a wider range of cultures. We’ve included simple biographical details – like where they were born, who their parents are, and their heritage – to provide clear background information.

Rita Hayworth

Born in New York City in 1918 as Margarita Carmen Cansino, Rita Hayworth had a fascinating family background. Her father was a Spanish flamenco dancer, and her mother, Volga Hayworth, was American with Irish and English roots. Early in her acting career, she began using her mother’s last name, Hayworth, and even altered her hairline to appear less overtly Spanish. Later, publicity often highlighted both her Spanish and Irish/English ancestry. Throughout her career, she remained an American actress with European heritage.

Cameron Diaz

Born in San Diego to a Cuban-American father, Emilio Diaz, and a mother, Billie Early, with English, German, and Scots-Irish heritage, she frequently discusses her Cuban roots alongside her European ancestry. Growing up in Southern California, she started modeling in her teens and later transitioned to acting. Her family history identifies her as part of the white Latino community, which is common among families with Cuban and Spanish origins.

Alexis Bledel

Alexis Bledel was born and raised in Houston, Texas, in a Spanish-speaking household. Her parents, who both have European ancestry, instilled in her a strong Latin American culture – her father is from Argentina and her mother, though American-born, grew up in Mexico. While she is an American citizen, Bledel identifies with her Latina heritage and family roots in Spanish-speaking countries.

Ana de Armas

Ana de Armas was born in Havana, Cuba, but her family roots are in Spain. As a young adult, she moved to Madrid and became a Spanish citizen through her grandparents. She started her acting career in Spanish-language films before moving to the United States and taking on roles in English. Although born in Cuba, her ancestry is European.

Andy García

Originally from Havana, he moved to Miami with his family following the Cuban Revolution. His parents, who were business owners, were of Cuban heritage with Spanish roots – a group traditionally considered white in Cuba. Throughout his career in American film, he remained connected to his Cuban background. Records show his family’s origins are in Europe, specifically Spain.

Martin Sheen

Born Ramón Estévez in Ohio, to a father from Spain and a mother of Irish descent, he later began using the stage name Martin Sheen while retaining his birth name legally. His family background is entirely European, with roots in both Spain and Ireland. Many people are surprised to learn his given name is Spanish, considering his mixed Irish and Spanish heritage.

Emilio Estevez

Born and raised in New York City, Emilio Estevez is the son of actor Martin Sheen and has roots in both Irish and Spanish (Galician) culture. He decided to use his family’s original Spanish last name for his career. Growing up, he was immersed in a home filled with multiple languages and a blend of Irish and Spanish traditions, much like many other Irish-Spanish American families. Both sides of his family come from European backgrounds.

Charlie Sheen

Carlos Irwin Estévez, known professionally as Charlie Sheen, was born in New York City. Like his brother and father, he comes from a background with Irish and Spanish (Galician) ancestry. While his Spanish birth name occasionally leads people to believe he has different roots, official records and family history clearly show his European heritage. He chose the stage name ‘Charlie Sheen’ early in his acting career.

Lynda Carter

Born in Phoenix to an Irish-American father and a mother with Mexican and Spanish heritage, Carter often speaks about both her Mexican family history and her European roots. Before becoming a television personality, she competed for the United States in international pageants. Her family background is typical of many Mexican-American families with Spanish ancestry, often identifying as white Latina.

Pedro Pascal

I’ve always been fascinated by actors with interesting backgrounds, and Pedro Pascal’s is a great example. He was born in Santiago, Chile, but his family had to leave when he was young and they found safety in the United States. His parents are Chilean, and they can trace their family history back to Europe – a lot of Chileans have Spanish ancestry, actually. He grew up training in American performing arts programs and built his career here in U.S. film and television. It’s a story that really highlights the history of European immigration to Latin America, and it’s cool to see that reflected in his journey.

Oscar Isaac

Born in Guatemala City to parents of Guatemalan and Cuban heritage – both with roots in Europe – Isaac moved to the United States when he was young and later studied at the Juilliard School. His background reflects a Latin American upbringing combined with European ancestry, a common mix for many families in Guatemala and Cuba who identify as white Latino, meaning they have Spanish or other European heritage.

Anya Taylor-Joy

Born in Miami and raised partly in Buenos Aires and London, Anya Taylor-Joy has diverse roots. Her father’s family comes from Argentina, Britain (with Scottish and Spanish heritage), and her mother’s from Spain and England. While she grew up in Latin America, her family history is entirely European.

Diego Luna

Born in Mexico City, Luna comes from a family with deep roots in both Mexico and Europe. His father was a set designer with European Mexican heritage, and his mother was British. This background reflects Mexico’s history of immigration from Spain and other European countries. He started his acting career in Mexico before working on films around the world, with both Spanish and English ancestry on his family tree.

Gael García Bernal

Originally from Guadalajara, he comes from a family of Mexican actors with roots in European immigration. He began his career in Mexican television and theater before working in international films. His family background includes Spanish and other European heritage, reflecting the diverse ancestry of many Mexican families.

Eiza González

I’m such a big fan of hers! It’s amazing to me that she started her career in Mexico City, getting her training in the local performing arts scene and even appearing in telenovelas. Her family has deep roots in Mexico, with ancestors from Europe – a lot of Spanish heritage, which is really common in that part of the country. Then she made the jump to working on projects here in the U.S., and it’s been incredible to watch her succeed. It’s cool knowing she represents a significant part of Mexico’s population with European ancestry.

Penélope Cruz

Penélope Cruz was born in Alcobendas, Spain, and has strong family ties to the Madrid area. She initially trained as a classical dancer before starting her acting career in Spanish films. Her success in international movies helped bring more recognition to Spanish actors and actresses. Her heritage is European.

Javier Bardem

Javier Bardem was born in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, into a family deeply involved in Spanish acting and filmmaking. With a strong European heritage and a family history of performers, he first became well-known in Spain before achieving international success. His upbringing showcases the close-knit, European-rooted film community in Spain.

Antonio Banderas

Antonio Banderas was born in Málaga, Spain, and began his career in Spanish theater and film. He later achieved success in Hollywood. With Andalusian heritage and a European family background, he continues to work with Spanish directors even while gaining international recognition. As a native Spaniard, his roots are firmly planted in European culture.

Cameron Boyce

I always found Cameron Boyce so interesting, and learning about his background really added to my admiration. He was born and raised in LA, and his family story is a really cool mix of cultures! His mom was Ashkenazi Jewish, and his dad’s side had African American, Caribbean, and European roots – he actually talked about tracing his European ancestry through his mom’s side. It’s amazing to me how his family history really showed the complexities of being American, and how many different backgrounds can come together. Plus, he was a working actor from a young age, which is incredible!

Sofía Vergara

Sofía Vergara was born in Barranquilla, Colombia, to a family with roots in Europe – specifically Spanish and Italian heritage. Before becoming a successful actress in the United States, she started her career as a model and TV host in Latin America. It’s often noted that European ancestry is common among families on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. While her family background is European, she strongly identifies with and represents Colombian culture; she is a Latina of European descent.

Paz Vega

Born and raised in Seville, Spain, to a family with Andalusian heritage, Vega began her career after studying at the Centro Andaluz de Teatro. She first gained recognition on Spanish television before achieving success in Spanish films and later taking on roles in international productions, both in English and Spanish. Her family background is European.

Elsa Pataky

Elena Pataky was born in Madrid, Spain, to a Spanish mother and a father with roots in Romania and Hungary. Before becoming a film actress, she studied at CEU San Pablo University and gained experience on Spanish television. She has since worked on projects around the world, building an international career. Her heritage is a blend of Spanish and Eastern European cultures.

Maribel Verdú

As a film fan, I’ve been following Carmen Verdú for a while now. She actually started acting as a teenager, doing TV and movies in Spain. It’s cool to see she’s built a really solid career, working on projects both in Spain and internationally. It’s also interesting to know she comes from a long line of Spaniards – a real European heritage! She’s become a really recognizable face in Spanish-language cinema, and for good reason; she’s fantastic.

Blanca Suárez

Born in Madrid, Suárez studied at King Juan Carlos University. She first became known through Spanish television shows and later moved into film. Her family has Spanish and broader European heritage. Currently, she mainly works on projects in Spain and across Europe.

Adriana Ugarte

Born and raised in Madrid, she pursued both acting and the study of philosophy. Ugarte first became well-known through her roles in Spanish TV series. With Spanish European roots, she continues to work steadily in both television and film within Spain.

Cote de Pablo

I’ve always been such a fan of María José de Pablo! It’s amazing to me that she was born in Santiago, Chile, but came to the U.S. when she was young. She’s a seriously talented actress, and it’s no surprise she trained at the prestigious Carnegie Mellon School of Drama. I also read that her family has Chilean roots going back to Europe, which is really common in Chile. Even with all her success here in the States, she’s always stayed connected to her Chilean heritage, and I think that’s wonderful.

Alice Braga

Alice Braga was born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, into a family deeply involved in the country’s film and theater scene. Her family’s roots trace back to Portuguese and Italian immigrants, a common heritage for many in southeastern Brazil. She started her acting career in Brazil before gaining recognition in international films and productions, showcasing the impact of European immigration on Brazilian culture.

Rodrigo Santoro

Born in Petrópolis, Brazil, Santoro comes from a family with Portuguese and Italian heritage. He began his career on Brazilian television before moving on to international films, working on projects in both Portuguese and English. His family’s European roots reflect Brazil’s history of welcoming immigrants.

Wagner Moura

I recently learned a bit about Wagner Moura’s background, and it’s fascinating. He actually started out studying journalism before becoming the incredible actor we know today. He comes from a long line of Brazilians with Portuguese roots, particularly from the Northeast and Southeast regions of the country. Moura’s really built a strong career for himself, both in Brazilian films and now in international television – it’s clear he’s a talent that’s crossed borders. He’s a prime example of the European-descended population that makes up a significant part of Brazil’s cultural landscape.

Camila Mendes

Born to Brazilian parents in Virginia, she was raised speaking Portuguese. Though her family comes from Brazil and has European roots, she studied acting at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and went on to appear in American TV shows. She feels a strong cultural connection to Brazil.

Diego Boneta

Born in Mexico City, Boneta is a dual citizen of Mexico and the United States. His family background is a mix of Spanish and other European roots. He started his acting career on Mexican television and later transitioned to projects in the U.S., working in both Spanish- and English-language productions.

Luisana Lopilato

Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Luisana Lopilato began her career as a child actor and model. Her family history, like many in Argentina, traces back to European immigrants, particularly Italy. She has since become a successful actress, working on both Argentine and international film and television projects. Her heritage is firmly rooted in Europe through her family’s origins.

Lali Espósito

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Emilia Espósito began her career on children’s television. Her family background is a mix of Spanish and Italian heritage. She went on to star in TV shows and movies while also building a music career. Her ancestors came to Argentina from Europe in past immigration waves.

TINI

Martina Stoessel was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and began performing at a young age. Her family has European roots, which is typical for many families in the Buenos Aires area. She’s successfully transitioned her career from television to both film and music, gaining international recognition. Her family history mirrors the waves of Spanish and Italian immigrants who have shaped Argentina.

Karla Souza

Born in Mexico City to parents from Mexico and Chile, Souza has a family history with European heritage on both sides. She received acting training in both Mexico and Europe before launching her career in the United States. Her life story showcases a Latin American upbringing blended with European ancestry.

Kate del Castillo

Born and raised in Mexico City, she is the daughter of well-known Mexican actor Eric del Castillo. Her family has deep roots in Mexico, with documented Spanish heritage. She first became known on Mexican television and later worked on projects around the world. Her family’s history includes generations of Spanish immigrants to Europe.

Aislinn Derbez

Born and raised in Mexico City, Eugenio Derbez comes from a family with a strong background in the entertainment industry. Her family’s roots in central Mexico trace back to European heritage. Before becoming an actress, she studied visual arts and acting, and has since worked on films and TV shows in both Mexico and the United States.

Ana Brenda Contreras

Born in Texas and raised in Mexico, Contreras started her career on Mexican television. Her family has Mexican heritage with European roots common in the northern and central parts of Mexico. She expanded into film and roles requiring fluency in both English and Spanish. Her experiences growing up crossing borders and with a European family background are reflected in her work.

Belén Rueda

Born and raised in Madrid, Spain, Blanca Rueda started her career as a TV host before becoming an actress. Her family has lived in the Madrid area for generations, and she quickly became a well-known face in Spanish films. Her heritage is entirely European, stemming from her Spanish family history.

Paz Padilla

Born and raised in Cádiz, Spain, Carolina Padilla began her career in comedy and television before becoming an actress. Her family comes from Andalusia, a region of Spain with deep European connections. She’s worked in Spanish film and television, and continues to perform on stage and as a host. Her life and work embody both Spanish culture and a broader European tradition.

Let us know what you think! Tell us in the comments which unexpected careers or fields you’d like us to explore next.

2025-11-06 12:18