15 History-Making Latinos at the Emmys

Latinos are already making history at the upcoming Emmy Awards. As we wait to find out who will take home the coveted trophies at the 75th awards ceremony airing on Fox on Jan. 15, let’s take a look at some of the talented Latinos honored at the Emmys.

1. Pedro Pascal makes history

Chilean-born Pedro Pascal, 48, is up for three awards in his first year as an Emmy nominee: outstanding lead actor in a drama series, for The Last of Us; outstanding guest actor in a comedy series, for his appearance on Saturday Night Live; and outstanding narrator, for the documentary series Patagonia: Life on the Edge of the World.

2. The first winner

Ecuadorian-born Albert Paulsen became the first Latino to win an Emmy in 1964, for his supporting role in the episode One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich of the series Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre.

3. A legendary winner

Puerto Rican-born actress Rita Moreno ranks among the EGOT winners (those who have won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards). She has scored two Emmys: the first in 1977, for her appearance on The Muppet Show, and the second in 1978 as the lead actress in the series The Rockford Files.

4. Bringing home the Emmy

Mexican-born actor Ricardo Montalbán is remembered as the enigmatic Mr. Roarke on the television series Fantasy Island, but he won an Emmy in 1978 as a supporting actor in the series How the West Was Won, whose three seasons aired on ABC.

5. In a police uniform

Los Angeles-born Edward James Olmos, who is of Mexican descent, won an Emmy in 1985 for his stellar performance in the supporting role of police Lt. Martin Castillo on the hit television series Miami Vice, produced by Michael Mann for NBC.

6. Passion for justice

Jimmy Smits, who is of Puerto Rican heritage, has had a long career in film and television. In 1990 he was awarded an Emmy for outstanding supporting actor for his role as attorney Victor Sifuentes in the series L.A. Law, which aired from 1986 to 1994 on NBC.

7. A “Freak”-ish talent

Colombian-born John Leguizamo won an Emmy for outstanding individual performance in a variety or music program in 1999 for Freak, a film based on his live stand-up comedy show on Broadway, where he plays multiple characters of a dysfunctional Latino family.

8. Ugly but well loved

Honduran-born America Ferrera won an Emmy in 2007 for her role as Betty Suarez in the hit comedy Ugly Betty, which was based on the Colombian telenovela Yo soy Betty, la fea, written by Fernando Gaitán. Mexican actress Salma Hayek was one of the producers of ABC’s adaptation of the series.