- 2007: Signed a two-year overall production deal with ABC in which she and partner Jose Tamez will develop new projects for the studio through their company, Ventanarosa Productions
- 2006: Co-starred with Colin Farrell in the Robert Towne-directed adaptation of John Fante's Depression Era novel, "Ask the Dust"
- 2006: Co-starred with Penelope Cruz as two bank robbers in "Bandidas"
- 2006: Produced the ABC comedy, "Ugly Betty"; also guest starred in several episodes; earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
- 2004: Co-starred with Pierce Brosnan and Woody Harrelson in "After the Sunset"
- 2004: Signed on to be the spokes woman for Avon's makeup and fragrance lines
- 2003: Cast as the female lead in "Once Upon A Time In Mexico"
- 2002: Portrayed the title role in "Frida," a biopic of artist Frida Kahlo, directed by Julie Taymor and produced by Hayek; earned Golden Globe, BAFTA, SAG and Oscar nominations for her performance
- 2001: Executive produced and starred in the Showtime original "In the Time of the Butterflies"
- 2001: Reteamed with Figgis for "Hotel"
- 2000: Played featured role in "Timecode," director Mike Figgis' four-screen digital feature
- 2000: Made cameo appearance in "Traffic"
- 1999: Signed agreement with Sony to create TV programs in both Spanish (for Telemundo) and English (for Columbia TriStar TV)
- 1999: Had female lead in Barry Sonnenfeld's "Wild Wild West"
- 1998: Had featured role as a coat-check girl with aspirations to be a singer in "54"
- 1997: Signed contract to act as spokesperson for Revlon cosmetics
- 1995: Returned to Mexico to play a lead in "Midaq Alley/El Callejon de los Milagros"
- 1995: Breakthrough Hollywood feature role, co-starring opposite Antonio Banderas in Rodriguez's "Desperado"
- 1994: US TV-movie debut, "Roadracers," a segment of Showtime's "Rebel Highway" series; first collaboration with filmmaker Robert Rodriguez
- 1993: Played a recurring role on the Fox family series "The Sinbad Show"
- 1993: US feature debut, Alison Anders' "Mi Vida Loca/My Crazy Life"
- 1992: First US TV guest spots included "Nurses" (NBC) and "Dream On" (HBO)
- 1991: Left Mexico at the height of her popularity and moved to Los Angeles
- 1991: Stopped acting for a year-and-a-half to study English
- 1989: Mexican TV series debut, "Nuevo Amancer"
- 1989: Won stardom as "Teresa" in the hugely popular Mexican primetime serial
- 1980: At age 12, told her father she would "go on strike" and fail all her classes if he did not allow her to go to school in America
- Raised in Coatzacaolcos, Mexico
- Formed Ventanarosa Prods.
- Sent to a Catholic school in Texas; studied for two years before being expelled




