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The busty Latina is known for her over-the-top acting, intense Brooklyn accent, and similarly intense Puerto Rican pride.

Perez grew up in Brooklyn, but one word out of her mouth, and you already knew that. She landed her big break when Spike Lee noticed her in a club and cast her as feisty Tina in Do The Right Thing, where she displayed her sick dance moves during the movie's opening credits. She started her professional dance career as one of the dancers on Soul Train, which led her to choreograph music videos for the likes of Janet Jackson and routines for the Fly Girls, who were featured heavily on In Living Color. She went on to star in flicks like White Men Can't Jump, Fearless—which snagged her an Oscar nod—and, more recently, Pineapple Express, but her distinctive voice has made her ripe for animation like Go, Diego, Go! and The Road to El Dorado. Beyond her acting career, Perez has made a name for herself as a proud Puerto Rican, and the film Yo Soy Boricua! Pa' Que Tú Lo Sepas! (I'm Puerto Rican, Just So You Know!) (we do know) documented her activism for Puerto Rican rights. She also produced a Spanish-language AIDS PSA, and her work prompted President Obama to appoint her to the The Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA). [Image via Getty]