Roselyn Sanchez (born March 14, 1970 in Santurce, Puerto Rico) is the first person to play a hispanic character in one the most important soap operas in the U.S..

Roselyn lived with her father and mother and is the youngest of four siblings. She has three older brothers. She received her pirmary education in San Juan. At a young age she showed an interest in dancing and acting. She would put on shows for her family. Roselyn enrolled in the University of Puerto Rico, where she was to study marketing, like her father and brothers before her. However, that was not her calling and after three years she called it quits.

In 1991, at the age of 21, Roselyn moved to New York City, where she took classes in dancing, acting and singing. She returned to Puerto Rico and in 1992, she made her movie debut. She landed a small part as an island girl in the movie "Captain Ron ", which was partly filmed in the island, starring Martin Short and Kurt Russell.

In 1993, Roselyn won the Miss Puerto Rico Petite contest and in 1994 she won the international title of Miss America Petite . In Puerto Rico, she gained public attention as a dancer and co-host of the island's #1 variety show "Que Vacilon".

Roselyn returned to New York and landed her first English speaking role in the CBS soap opera, "As The World Turns". She became the first hispanic to play a Latina character, in its 50 year history, when she played the role of "Pilar Domingo". She played this character from 1996 to 1997.

In 2001, Roselyn was cast as "Isabella Molina", a secret customs agent who was Jackie Chan's love interest in the movie Rush Hour 2. In 2003, she played the role of "Lorena" in the movie "Chasing Papi " starring alongside Jaci Velasquez and Sofia Vergara.

Roselyn Sanchez has already participated in 16 movies and will be cast in the role of "Maria" in the Hollywood production "Edison", which will be out in the year 2005. She is also in the process of composing a musical about a singer/dancer/actress who leaves Puerto Rico to hit the big time in New York. She is going to play the principal part. Her first musical recording "Borinqueña" will out in the market this year.

See also

• List of famous Puerto Ricans