Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
From lieutenant on the Starship Enterprise to orphaned alien assassin, Zoe Saldana plays key roles in some of today's biggest commercial hits. Take a look at the New Jersey-native's best characters as we go through some of her most memorable roles.
Live By Night
In this 2016 prohibition era drama, Zoe stars as Graciela Corrales, the sister of a local Cuban businessman, who falls for Ben Affleck's war veteran character, Joe Coughlin. The film was produced by Leonardo DiCaprio and features the likes of Elle Fanning and Chris Messina.
Nina
Starring as American musician and civil rights activist Nina Simone, the actress takes the lead in this 2016 biographical film.
Star Trek: Beyond
Continuing to take on the role of Lieutenant Nyota Uhura, Zoe helped the third film in the space reboot series gross $343.5 million at the box office. Featuring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Idris Elba, the 2016 space action film was nominated for Best Sci-Fi/Horror Movie at the Critics' Choice Awards.
Infinitely Polar Bear
In 2014, Zoe starred in this comedy-drama as Maggie Stuart, a mother struggling to take care of her two daughters after her bipolar husband (played by Mark Ruffalo) has a psychotic break. The film premiered at Sundance and garnered favorable reviews despite earning only $1.8 million at the box office.
The Book of Life
Voicing Maria Posada, the animated musical's main love interest, the actress stars alongside Channing Tatum and Ice Cube. The film grossed $99.8 million off of a $50 million budget and won Character Design in an Animated Feature Production at the 42nd Annual Annie Awards.
Guardians of the Galaxy
Playing the role of Gamora, an alien orphan who is trained by villain Thanos to become an assassin, Zoe co-stars with the likes of Chris Pratt, Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper in this 2014 hit Marvel film. Grossing $773.3 million at the box office, the superhero movie won Best Action Movie at the 2015 Critics' Choice Awards.
Blood Ties
Starring as Vanessa, the love interest of an ex-convict played by Clive Owen, Zoe acts alongside Mila Kunis in this 2013 Franco-American crime thriller.
Out of the Furnace
Acting as Lena Taylor, the girlfriend of a small town police chief, the actress co-stars with Christian Bale, Woody Harrelson and Casey Affleck in this 2013 drama produced by Leonardo DiCaprio. The film ranks second in Chicago Sun-Times' Richard Roeper's top ten list of best films of 2013.
Star Trek Into Darkness
Playing the part of Lieutenant Nyota Uhura, Zoe helped the second film in this successful space reboot series gross $467.4 million at the box office.
The Words
Co-starring with Bradley Cooper and Olivia Wilde, Zoe plays Dora Jansen, girlfriend of Bradley Cooper's aspiring writer character. The 2012 mystery romantic drama earned $16.4 million at the box office off of a $6 million budget.
Colombiana
In this 2011 French action thriller, Zoe stars as lead Cataleya Restrepo, a young and accomplished assassin. The $61 million-grossing film was directed by Olivier Megaton, who also directed Taken 2 and Taken 3.
Death at a Funeral
Acting alongside Chris Rock and Kevin Hart, the then-32-year-old actress plays the part of Elaine Barnes, a mourning relative who unwittingly gives her brother a hallucinogenic before the funeral. The 2010 ensemble comedy grossed $49.1 million off of a $21 million budget.
Burning Palms
Zoe stars in one of the five storylines of this 2010 thriller, playing the part of Sarah Cotton, a meek woman who tracks down her assailant after being raped.
Takers
In 2010, Zoe played the part of Lilly, the fiancee of Matt Dillon's detective character, Jack Welles. The action crime thriller grossed $69.1 million at the box office and features the likes of Paul Walker, Idris Elba and Chris Brown.
The Losers
As Aisha al-Fadhil, a woman pretending to be a local Bolivian, the actress stars alongside Chris Evans and Idris Elba in this 2010 comic book-based action comedy.
Star Trek
In the first film of the successful franchise's reboot, Zoe stars as communications officer Lieutenant Nyota Uhura, launching the 2009 space film to grossing $385.7 million worldwide.
Avatar
As Neytiri, the daughter of the leader of the Omaticaya, Zoe plays a key role in this mega successful, $2.8 billion-grossing epic science fiction. The film won three awards at the 82nd Academy Awards, including Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography and Best Visual Effects.
Guess Who
In this $101.8 million-grossing 2005 comedy about race relations, Zoe plays the part of Theresa Jones, the fiancee of Ashton Kutcher's character, Simon Green, who comes home to meet her parents.
Haven
Co-starring with Orlando Bloom, Zoe acts as Andrea, the love interest of Shy (played by Orlando). This 2004 film is set in the Cayman Islands and was written and directed by native Caymanian Frank E. Flowers.
The Terminal
Directed by Steven Spielberg, the 2004 comedy-drama features Zoe as Dolores Torres, an officer who interacts with Tom Hanks' character, Viktor Navorski, when his passport is no longer valid. The film was a box office success, grossing $219.4 million off of a $60 million budget.
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Starring alongside celebrities like Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley, Zoe plays Anamaria, a pirate with a vendetta against Jack Sparrow. The 2003 fantasy film earned $654.3 million worldwide and was considered a commercial and critical success.
Drumline
In 2002, the actress played the part of Laila, an upperclassman dancer at a New York City high school. The musical comedy-drama also features Nick Cannon and grossed $57.6 million at the box office.
Crossroads
Co-starring with pop sensation Britney Spears, Zoe plays the part of a popular high school student who goes on a cross-country road trip with her childhood best friends. The 2002 comedy-drama grossed $61.1 million at the box office off of a $12 million budget.