As Caribbean American Heritage Month kicks off, we’re recognizing the economic, cultural, and social contributions of notable immigrants and refugees who’ve helped shape America’s vibrant tapestry. Today, we spotlight award-winning actress Ana de Armas.
Ana de Armas was born in April of 1988 in Havana, Cuba. Her father, a bank manager, and mother, a human resources professional, raised her and her older brother in nearby Santa Cruz del Norte. She grew up with few resources, food rationing, and other perils brought on by the country’s economic hardships. Despite that, and inspired by Hollywood films viewed in a neighbor’s apartment, she began acting early. At 14, she successfully auditioned and joined Havana’s National Theatre of Cuba.
At 18, de Armas gained Spanish citizenship via her maternal grandparents and moved to Madrid to further her career. There, she quickly found success and notoriety while starring for six seasons in the famous teen drama, El Internado. Despite speaking limited English, she immigrated to the United States in 2014. She spent four months learning English before earning her breakout role opposite Keanu Reeves in Knock Knock. Her empathetic depiction of a Holographic AI Companion in Blade Runner 2049 earned her international praise.
She continued her momentum by playing an immigrant nurse in the 2019 smash hit Knives Out, alongside a bevy of A-level Hollywood talent, including Danial Craig, Chris Evans, and Christopher Plummer. The performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination and propelled her into mainstream success. Soon after, she was cast to play an iconic Bond girl role in No Time to Die – a critical success that raked in over $774 million at the box office.
In 2022, de Armas took on the challenging role of Marilyn Monroe in the biographical drama Blonde. Her successful portrayal earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, making her one of the few Cuban actresses to achieve such recognition.
In 2023, Ana de Armas was naturalized as a U.S. citizen.
Beyond her screen work, Ana de Armas is known for her dedication to her craft, her down-to-earth personality, and her advocacy for greater Latin representation in film. She remains a figure in major motion pictures, admired for her ability to bring depth and authenticity to the roles she plays.
Others we are celebrating in honor of Caribbean American Heritage Month:
2025
Winome Earle-Sears, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
Lisa Dunkley, Florida State Representative
Camille Wardrop Alleyne, Aerospace Engineer
Patrick Ewing, NBA Hall of Fame center
