Biography

Date of Birth: July 24, 1970

Place of Birth: Bronx, N.Y., USA

Sign: Sun in Leo, Moon in Aries

Relations: Ex-husband: Ojani Noa; companion: Sean (Puffy) Combs

Jennifer Lopez was born on July 24, 1970 to David, a computer operations specialist and Guadalupe, a kindergarten teacher in The Bronx, New York.

She has two older sisters, Lynda and Leslie. Lynda is now a DJ for WKTU in New York (Lynda Lopez from 10 PM-2 AM) while Leslie is a music teacher. Jennifer knew from an early age that she wanted to perform, and got her start in musical theater. Lynda was also an actress, but her career pretty much came to a stop after appearing in the 1987 film The Rosary Murders.

At the age of 16 Jennifer got her first break with a part in the film My Little Girl, but her big break came a few years later when she won a dance contest to become a Fly Girl for the Fox television series In Living Color.

She used that experience as a springboard for her acting career, appearing as Melinda Lopez, first in the short lived Second Chances series, then Hotel Malibu. In 1995 she jumped onto the big screen in her first major role, opposite Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson in Money Train.

She went on to work with such talents as Robin Williams and Jack Nicholson, but it was her work with director Gregory Nava, who directed her in Mi Familia, that would lead her to the role that would make her a star.

After an extensive nationwide search, Jennifer was chosen to play Selena Quintanilla, in the official biopic of the life of the fallen Tejano star.

Taking part in the production of Selena would impact Jennifer's life in many ways. On the professional level, it brought back her interest in music and performing, and that led her to a recording contract. On the personal side, Jennifer's fiance, Ojani Noa, proposed to her at the wrap party for Selena. They were married February 22, 1997, but the marriage lasted less than a year.

Her first CD, a pop album with a latin flavor, was released June 1, 1999. Working with Emilio Estefan, Rodney Jerkins and Sean "Puffy" Combs.

That early prediction seems accurate, as her first single, "If You Had My Love" shot to #1 on the Billboard chart, and has been certified platinum (one million sales).

Her role as Karen Sisco in Out Of Sight, opposite George Clooney has brought her into the major leagues, making her the highest paying Latina actress in history.

In her recent movie The Cell, Jennifer Lopez stars as a child therapist involved in a breakthrough research program who is asked to journey inside the mind of a serial killer in the hope of saving his latest victim. As she embarks on an uncharted and perilous journey through the psyche of a murderer, an FBI agent (Vince Vaughn) must race against time to uncover clues that may help locate the missing girl.

With her singing, dancing and acting talents combined with a fiesty personality and undeniable good looks, Jennifer Lopez is the ultimate performer to keep your eye on for the millenium.

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