25 Of The Most Influential Latinos In Contemporary American Culture (PHOTOS)

America is a melting pot of cultures, to be sure.

If that pot were to be broken down according to spices, however, one might find that a significant flavor of modern America stems from that of the Latino community, and the actors, artists, activists, and athletes who champion it.

Countless Latinos have created their own splash in America today, but few have created as large an impact as the 25 on our list. From some familiar faces on film to those working to better the world around us, here are our picks for some of the most influential Latino in contemporary American culture.

Think of someone who didn't make our cut? Let us know whom you'd have chosen to be on our list in the comments below!

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Former co-anchor of American Morning, she's currently among the first faces news junkies wake up to on CNN's Starting Point. The half-Cuban journalist gained recognition for her investigative work most notably in the CNN special, Black in America, and was hailed by Catalina magazine as "Groundbreaking Latina of the Year" in 2005.

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Former co-anchor of American Morning, she's currently among the first faces news junkies wake up to on CNN's Starting Point. The half-Cuban journalist gained recognition for her investigative work most notably in the CNN special, Black in America, and was hailed by Catalina magazine as "Groundbreaking Latina of the Year" in 2005.

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Comments

[SuperMex]

01:29 PM on 04/19/2013

With the exception of Sammy Sosa all those selected deserve to be on the list. Of course like any list some who should be on the list are left off.

I would have liked to have seen the beautiful Rosario Dawson, Rita Moreno and Arte Moreno on the list. But that's me.

[ross trovato]

06:46 PM on 09/22/2012

.SELENA QUINTANILLA-PEREZ,THE GREATEST OF ALL ARTISTS! I'VE BEEN A HUGE FAN FOR NEARLY 15 YEARS,AND HAVE NOT HEARD ANOTHER VOICE THAT APPROACHES THAT OF ''LA REINA De MUSICA TEJANO''.HER STAGE PRESENCE WAS SPELL-BINDING,AND SHE CARRIED HERSELF WITH THE CLASS AND GRACE OF A TRUE LADY AT ALL TIMES. SELENA - TU ERES SIEMPE EN MI CORAZONE.GOD BLESS YOU,SWEET ANGEL OF MUSIC.

[harlow]

01:20 PM on 03/23/2012

You left out this year winner of the 21 leaders for the 21 century award Kamala Lopez and Martin Sheen who have worked tirelessly and many more who truly make a difference.

[Silvia Sandino Nieto]

07:32 PM on 03/22/2012

When are NORTH americans going to understand that when you are talking about americans, you are talking about ALL america, meaning: North, CENTRAL and SOUTH!

[ayisha]

12:54 AM on 03/22/2012

amazingly disappointing that this list seems to be mostly populated with entertainers when there are so many Latinos in high-ranking positions in government and private industry across the nation.

[Julio Varela]

02:01 PM on 03/21/2012

Sammy Sosa? Sorry, that is funny and so is Mary Jo Fernández

[misamores2526]

01:28 PM on 03/21/2012

What is new? People in movies, TV, ahhh, music!, we are more than that.
We need to see the potentials :Gabos, Vargas Llosas, Sotomayores, LuzMas, etc. Latino influential are everyday-people working, studying, getting it together every moment.
My parents, mi wife - a chulísima anglo WOWman - and my children are my influencers.
Let's raise the definition of "INFLUENTIAL" to the point of desecrating entertainment as the door to Latino-Hispanic-Chicano-more-self-identifiers-adjectives- Identity. Let’s resume as Americans with original and proud identity living and making different marks in this diaspora of humanity. Eso es todo por hoy. Gracias.

[rrcabrera]

08:26 AM on 03/21/2012

How quaint. Only 2 out of the 24 are in non entertainment/fashion/sports professions. Typical liberal condescension.

[gourgandine]

08:24 AM on 03/21/2012

Weird !!!! Yesterday I ask how Antonio Banderas who is Spanish got on the list ??? And where is it said that Cindy Crawford has latinas roots ? I then asked why Jimmy Smits was not on the list, I think he did support Mr Obama's campaign and is very proud of his Portorican's family ?
My comment was simply cut... Am I being rude without knowing it ?

[Jess Cavazos]

12:08 PM on 03/21/2012

Yes you make a good point!! I think something is weird here they took off Cindy Crawford and replaced her without an explaination.

[mira chancleta]

09:45 AM on 03/23/2012

who writes this nonsense?
1st graders?
As for Smits, he is as fake as they come...they guy has traded on his 1/2 "portorican" background but NEVER mentions what the other 1/2 is...from Surinam.
He figured out real early how to milk the "portorican" card...he's a player.

[pammiethekid]

06:07 AM on 03/21/2012

where's Antonio Banderas?

[Ilegal]

07:16 AM on 03/21/2012

maybe 10 years ago, sure, but the title does say "contemporary" he's not currently culturally relevant.

[JacksonHts]

09:02 AM on 03/22/2012

There are a few people on the list who are not really contemporary relevant anymore. That's why this type of list is a dubious undertaking and probably just done to generate commentary.

[gourgandine]

08:54 AM on 03/21/2012

He was in the list yesterday, but he desapeared ! He is Spanish anyway !

[pammiethekid]

12:14 PM on 03/21/2012

thanks, I thought he was from Mexico for some reason!

[matterofstate]

05:16 AM on 03/21/2012

De La Hoya founded Golden Boy Promotions before his retirement.

[funkbuey]

03:57 AM on 03/21/2012

where's Chick Corea?

[Ilegal]

07:11 AM on 03/21/2012

the title says "contemporary" doesn't it?

[funkbuey]

11:59 AM on 03/21/2012

He JUST won a grammy, I JUST saw him in concert with Return to Forever last year. The title says "Contemporary" doesn't it?

[Peter J Karthak]

03:53 AM on 03/21/2012

How about 25 Native Americans in the series, then 25 African Americans, and so on....?

[Mindy Czech]

03:11 AM on 03/21/2012

I saw Carlos Santana in concert on the 4th of July when I was ten years old. My parents took me and my brother, and seeing him perform was one of the reasons why I decided to stick with the guitar. I may never play as well as he does, but he made the instrument look so cool. I loved every second of that concert, and consider myself lucky to have been able to see him.

Guillermo Del Toro has become one of my favorite directors ever. "Pan's Labyrinth" is one of the most beautiful and moving films I've ever seen. Robert Rodriguez is a favorite too, but "El Mariachi" will always be my number one.

Edward James Olmos is a good actor, but I think the terrible job he did on "Dexter" this season should have knocked him out of the #1 spot. Then again, that show is garbage and no one could have elevated that material.

[Don Harry Santiago]

03:04 AM on 03/21/2012

George Lopez, Mark Anthony, Cheech Marin and so many others.