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Zoe Saldana has been honored as one of TIME’s 100 most influential people of 2026, cementing her status as the highest-grossing actor in cinema history. The Oscar-winning actress opened up about her remarkable career trajectory and what comes next.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Historic Achievement: Saldana’s films have grossed over $15.47 billion worldwide, surpassing Scarlett Johansson.
- Oscar Winner: Won Best Supporting Actress for ‘Emilia Pérez’, the first Latino-led musical to achieve this honor.
- Franchise Star: Starred in Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Trek, and Avengers franchises.
- Box Office Pioneer: First actor to star in four films that each grossed over $2 billion globally.
Breaking Box Office Records as Woman of Color
Saldana’s achievement carries profound significance beyond numbers. At 47 years old, she reflects on becoming the highest-grossing actor in film history as particularly meaningful. She credits her heritage as a Dominican and Puerto Rican daughter of immigrants for making the milestone especially powerful.
In her TIME100 profile, she noted the emotional weight of the accomplishment. “People like me never even imagine breaking a record,” she explained. She remains competitive and driven, yet grateful for the moment. She has set a record that only another woman, ideally a woman of color, could break next.
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From Avatar to Emilia Pérez: A Diverse Career
Saldana’s career spans over 25 years of blockbuster filmmaking. She began as a teen in projects like ‘Center Stage’ and ‘Crossroads’, but found global stardom through iconic non-human characters. Gamora in the Marvel franchise and Neytiri in Avatar became defining roles. Her willingness to embrace genre films early set the stage for unprecedented box office success.
Director James Cameron praised her in the TIME100 tribute, describing her ability to “shape-shift from heartbreaking vulnerability to the strongest icon of female badassery.” She has now expanded her range dramatically with the Oscar-winning performance in ‘Emilia Pérez’, proving her acting depth transcends visual effects.
Balancing Motherhood, Hollywood, and Ambition
Saldana maintains a grounded perspective despite her extraordinary success. She has three sons, including 11-year-old twins and a 9-year-old, who she says keep her humble. During her recent extended break from filming, she prioritized dropping her children off at school and being present with family. Her husband, Marco Perego-Saldana, serves as her biggest cheerleader, arriving at breakfast each morning with Avatar: Fire and Ash box office updates.
| Achievement | Details |
| Total Box Office Earnings | $15.47 billion worldwide |
| Oscar Win | Best Supporting Actress, Emilia Pérez (2025) |
| Major Franchises | Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Trek, Avengers |
| $2B+ Films | Four films, first actor to achieve this |
“I’ve been healthy. I’ve been present with my family. I feel like when I take these mental breaks like that to live, then I become really creative and really energized.”
— Zoe Saldana, Actor and TIME100 Honoree
Shifting Focus to Female-Centered Stories
Saldana is now channeling her influence toward advancing women’s narratives in cinema. She spent years as often the only female lead in male-dominated action franchises, but increasingly misses the camaraderie and mutual understanding of working with women. She cites films like ‘The Substance’ and ‘Wuthering Heights’ as models for the intimate, complex female stories she wants to produce and direct.
She has been developing a young-adult story for years and finally has time to complete the treatment during her recent break. “We’re complex creatures that deserve more screentime,” she stated. Her commitment extends beyond performing, as she seeks to transform the industry’s storytelling landscape for future generations of women.
What Does Influence Mean When Your Kids Won’t Watch Your Movies?
Despite being the most commercially successful actor ever, Saldana remains refreshingly grounded. Her three sons refuse to watch her films, claiming she is “flexing.” They dislike the violence in most of her roles, which she actually celebrates. Her youngest once asked if she won an Oscar for supporting or lead actress, immediately making her worry about sabotaging herself by chasing lead roles instead.
She reflects on ego and influence with philosophical maturity. “Ego is like cholesterol,” she explained. “There’s good cholesterol and bad cholesterol.” All artists need confidence to create, but acknowledging and checking one’s ego remains crucial. After decades of working twice as hard to be heard and seen, she has earned the peace to simply be present with her family while shaping Hollywood’s future.
Sources
- TIME Magazine – Zoe Saldana honored on 2026 TIME100 list with profile by James Cameron and exclusive interview.
- Variety – Zoe Saldana becomes highest-grossing actor of all time following Avatar: Fire and Ash success in January 2026.
- HOLA! USA – Zoe Saldana advises new generation to honor elders during red carpet conversation.
