Her movies. Her music. Her marriages. Her magnificent rear. This Latina bombshell has many names — J.Lo, Jenny from the Block, La Lopez — and is famous for many reasons. A Bronx native, Lopez studied dance from an early age and got her first taste of the spotlight as a backup dancer on the sketch comedy series
In Living Color in the early '90s. Acting parts on a number of short-lived series followed before she moved on to the big screen as a supporting player. Landing the title role in the 1997 biopic
Selena was what jump-started her career. Even though she lip-synched to the slain Tejano singer's voice — an ironic twist considering Lopez was on the cusp of becoming a pop star — the hot actress was praised for her performance. The next year she won critical accolades as a very sexy U.S. marshal in
Out of Sight. In 1999, with film offers rolling in, she released her first album,
On the 6, which spawned a number of hit singles. She also became a paparazzo's dream when she started stepping out with rap mogul Sean Puffy Combs in a slew of eye-catching outfits. (Remember that green Donatella Versace with the plunging neckline?) The early '00s were busy for the diva as she made movies, albums and lots of gossip, with a quickie marriage and divorce from dancer Cris Judd, a stormy high-profile romance with Ben Affleck — which spawned the punny nickname "Bennifer" and two lame movies (
Gigli and
Jersey Girl). On screen, Lopez was America's sweetheart, starring in a succession of romantic comedies (
The Wedding Planner,
Maid in Manhattan) even though her own love life was a mess. Then in a surprise move in 2004, she married singer Marc Anthony a few days after his divorce from his first wife became final.
Jennifer Lopez Fast Facts:
- First gained attention as a "Fly Girl" on the Fox hit In Living Color.
- The daughter of a computer specialist and a kindergarten teacher.
- Launched own clothing line called JLO by Jennifer Lopez.
- Founded own production company, Nuyorican Productions, with former manager Benny Medina.
- Became the first actress and singer to have a movie, The Wedding Planner, and an album, J. Lo, make it to number one in the same week in 2001.
- As of 2005, was reportedly the highest paid Latina actress in Hollywood, having earned $15 million for her role in Monster-in-Law.
- Jennifer Lopez Relationships:
- Arianna - Stepdaughter
- Ben Affleck - Ex-fiancé
- Cris Judd - Ex-husband
- Cristian Anthony Muñiz - Stepson
- David Lopez - Father
- Emme Maribel Muñiz - Daughter
- Guadalupe Lopez - Mother
- Leslie Lopez - Sister
- Lynda López - Sister
- Marc Anthony - Husband
- Maximilian David Muñiz - Son
- Ojani Noa - Ex-husband
- Ryan Anthony Muñiz - Stepson
- Sean Combs - Ex-significant Other
- Jennifer Lopez Awards:
- 1998 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy - Nominee
