15 Most Famous People In Puerto Rico

Photo by Toglenn – Wikimedia 

15 Most Famous People In Puerto Rico

Originally Published by Charity K in July 2022 and Updated by Purity M in May 2024

Puerto Rico is known for being the world’s leading rum producer and has the most magnificent coral reefs and beaches. But, it is also the home of many celebrities who have amused the world with their talent and gifts.

Whether on stage or on the stage, these stars have created a supportive and loving fan base.

1. Joaquin Phoenix

Photo by Harald Krichel – Wikimedia 

Born on October 28, 1974, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He is the middle child of five who were all involved in acting. His first debut film was SpaceCamp in 1986, he later got a lot of offers and slowly got introduced to the world of acting.

He was praised for his role in the movie Joker in 2019, his performance in the film gave a lot of his newfound fans a chance to go through all his other films.

2. Roselyn Sanchez

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The Puerto Rican singer, songwriter, dancer,  actress, and writer was born on April 2, 1973. She is known for her roles in Without A Trace from 2005-2009, and Devious Maids from 2013 to 2016.

Over the years she has been nominated for awards like ALMA Awards in 1998 and 2002 and Imagen Awards in 2014 and 2015.  She won the 2008 ALMA Awards nomination, and in 2018, she won the Raul Julia Foundation Award.

She got married to Gary Stretch on August 9, 1998, the couple called it quits on April 15, 2001. However, she married again to Eric Winter on November 29, 2008, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. They have two children together, Sebella and Dylan.

3. Ismael Cruz Cordova

Ismael was born on April 7, 1987. He is known for his in Sesame Street. He has been in a good number of movies and short films, however, he gained an even bigger when he was in the same film as Anthony Mackie and Gina Rodriguez in the movie Miss Bala.

He was given the opportunity to play Arondir in the Tv series The Lord of The Rings: The Rings Of Power in 2022.

4. Adria Arjona

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Adria is born on April 25, 1992. She is an actress and is known for her role as Dorothy Gale in the Oz bool adaptation Emerald City. She was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and lived in Mexico City until she was twelve.

She then moved to Miami and lived there till she was 18 years old when she moved to New York City on her own. She worked as a hostess while studying acting. 

In 2019, she shared the screen with Ryan Reynolds on 6 Underground. While in 2021, she starred alongside Jason Mamoa and Isabella Merced in Netflix’s Sweet Girl. In the same year, she was confirmed to star in the Warner Bros. remake of Father Of The Bride.

5. Rita Moreno

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The Puerto Rican actress, dancer, and, singer was born on December 11, 1931. She is known for her work across different areas of the entertainment industry, her films have spread through all genres.

She moved to New York City with her mother in 1936 but she did not see her brother until 2021. Her career began in the 1950s when she took small roles like The Toast Of New Orleans and the musical film Singin’ In The Rain. 

She has received knowledgeable awards for her acting like in 1962 The Oscar for best supporting actress for West Side Story. She received a Golden Globe Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. In 2009, she was presented with the National Medal Of Arts by President Barack Obama.

6. David Zayas

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He was born on August 15, 1962, in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and raised in The Bronx, New York City. David joined the United States Air Force at the age of 19 years old,  he was a police officer in New York City for almost 15 years.

His job as a police officer helped him develop as a character actor which lead him to a series of acting jobs. 

He is known for his roles in Dexter, Rounders, and HBO prison drama Oz.  In 2014, he appeared in Annie as a bodega owner.

7. Amaury Nolasco

The Puerto Rican actor and producer were born on December 24, 1970.  Since 1997 she has been active in the industry, from acting in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation to 2 Fast 2 Furious.

He is known for his performance in Prison Break, he even played a villain in the sitcom Telenovela. During his free time, he participates in a celebrity golf tournament where all the profits go to Puerto Rican organizations. 

8. Benicio Del Toro

Born on February 19, 1967, in San German, Puerto Rico. He is a Puerto Rican actor and producer. He is known for his breakout role in The Usual Suspects in 1995 and Basquiat in 1996.

He was raised a Roman Catholic and attended Academia del Perpetuo Socorro, a Roman Catholic school in Miramar, Puerto Rico.

After his mother’s death, he moved with his father and brother to Mercersburg, Pennsylvania. He enrolled at the Mercersburg Academy until he graduated, then he pursued a degree in business at the University Of California, San Diego.

In the late 1980s, he got small television roles playing thugs and drug dealers. He later advanced to more roles and by the time the 2000s came by he had achieved fame on a whole new level and had gained a number of new fans.

In 2003, he became a spokesman for an educational campaign that was founded in 1997. 

In 2018, he played Taneleer Tivan in the famous movie Avenger: Infinity War, which brought him a new type of fame. He shared the screen with all the famous actors who portrayed The Avengers.  

9. Raul Julia

Raul Rafael Carlos Julia Arcelay was born on March 9, 1940, and died on October 24, 1994. He showed interest in acting while he was still at school and he immediately pursued a career after he finished his studies. 

He began performing in several plays that were held in San Juan. He later moved to Hollywood after staying in New York for some time. His work introduced him to a whole other world where he will always be remembered for his acting.

10. Yara Martinez

Yara was born on August 31, 1979. She was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Miami. Other than acting, she practiced ballet for ten years.

She is known for her role in The CW comedy-drama Jane The Virgin as Dr. Luisa Alver and HBO crime drama True Detective. Her performance in both shows was not only chair gripping but insanely outstanding.

She has been in a number of Tv shows like Criminal Minds and The Lying Game where she was seen sharing the screen with famous actors.

11. Daddy Yankee

Daddy Yankee, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Daddy Yankee was born Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez on February 3, 1977, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He is a reggaeton pioneer and global music sensation. Known as “The King of Reggaeton,” he rose to fame with hits like “Gasolina” (2004) and “Despacito” (2017). With numerous awards, including Latin Grammys and Billboard Latin Music Awards, Daddy Yankee continues to dominate the charts with his infectious beats.

12. Chayanne

Chayanne’s born name is Elmer Figueroa Arce. He is a singer, actor, and heartthrob known for his charismatic stage presence and catchy pop tunes. From his early days as a member of the group Los Chicos to his solo career, Chayanne has captivated audiences worldwide with hits like “Torero” (2002) and “Tiempo de Vals” (1990). He has received numerous accolades, including Latin Grammy nominations and Billboard Latin Music Awards. Having sold over 15 million records, he is one of the best-selling Latin music artists.

13. Ricky Martin

Eva Rinaldi, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Born Enrique Martín Morales on December 24, 1971, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Ricky Martin is a global superstar known for his dynamic performances and infectious dance hits. Rising to fame as a member of the boy band Menudo, Martin achieved solo success with songs like “Livin’ La Vida Loca” (1999) and “She Bangs” (2000). In addition to his music career, Martin is a passionate advocate for humanitarian causes and LGBTQ+ rights.

14. Luis Guzmán

Luis Guzmán is a versatile actor known for his memorable performances in film and television. With a career spanning over four decades, Guzmán has appeared in a wide range of roles, from comedic sidekicks to gritty character actors. His notable works include films like “Boogie Nights” (1997), “Carlito’s Way” (1993), and “Traffic” (2000), as well as television shows like “Oz” and “How to Make It in America.” Guzmán’s talent and authenticity have earned him critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base.

15. Luis Fonsi

Nicolas Lacoste, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Born Luis Alfonso Rodríguez López-Cepero on April 15, 1978, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Luis Fonsi is a singer-songwriter best known for his global hit “Despacito” (2017). With its catchy melody and infectious rhythm, “Despacito” became one of the most-streamed songs of all time, catapulting Fonsi to international fame. Beyond “Despacito,” Fonsi has released numerous successful albums and singles, earning him multiple Latin Grammy Awards and Billboard Latin Music Awards.