America Ferrera Movies & TV Shows That Prove She Has Always Deserved The Spotlight
In a career spanning two decades, America Ferrera's movies and TV shows have always inspired.
Actress America Ferrera has long been accomplished in Hollywood, starring in acclaimed and beloved movies and TV shows for over two decades. While she most recently portrayed a Mattel employee who reconnects with her daughter in the movie, Barbie, it wasn’t too long ago when she was playing the unsure and troubled tween herself.
Ferrera’s roles have evolved and matured along with her, so to celebrate her impressive work since 2002, take a look at America Ferrera movies and TV shows that prove she’s always been an inspiration.
Real Women Have Curves (2002)
In the 2002 American comedy-drama film, directed by Patricia Cardoso, Ferrera makes her feature film debut as Ana García, a teenager who grapples with commitments to her family and a domineering mother while exploring her ambition to attend college. The film explores the real challenges faced by Latina women and received positive reviews for its body positivity. Ferrera quickly established herself as a relatable and inspiring voice for girls, for both Latinas growing up in America and any child facing insecurities about body image. The movie won the Audience Award for Best Dramatic Film and the Special Jury Prize at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival, and in 2019, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry, the first Latina-directed film to be inducted.
Gotta Kick It Up! (2002)
Taking it back to middle school, Ferrera plays young Yolanda "Yoli" Vargas in the Disney Channel Original Movie, Gotta Kick It Up! The plot is based on the true story of a middle school dance team, and the film recounts how a young executive turned teacher works with a group of Latina girls to discover their identity and face societal challenges through their dance group.
Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants (2005)
Ferrera continued in her strong representation of the challenges faced by Latina women in her role in Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, about a group of friends separated throughout the summer but connected by a pair of jeans that mysteriously seems to fit the girls of different sizes. Directed by Ken Kwapis and starring other big names like Blake Lively, Alexis Bledel, and Amber Tamblyn, the film has become a classic summertime tale about navigating family and relationships as teenage girls. Ferrera’s character, Carmen Lowell, particularly encounters these issues as she grapples with her father’s upcoming marriage and feels like she doesn't have a place within his new family.
Ugly Betty (2006-2010)
In another iconic role, Ferrera plays the titular Betty in Ugly Betty, a comedy-drama TV show that aired on ABC from 2006-2010. A seemingly negative name actually celebrates the accomplishments of Betty Suarez, wholesome and naive in her appearance and style but landing a job at a prestigious fashion magazine. While the show was canceled because of low ratings, it has since been celebrated, even gaining a cult following. The series has won two Golden Globe Awards, for best leading actress in a comedy series and best comedy series in 2007, as well as three Emmys during its run.
End of Watch (2012)
She went from romantic comedy to action thriller with End of Watch in 2012, a film starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña as two LAPD officers during their day-to-day police work. Ferrera plays Officer Orozco in the police procedural and she even received tactical training in order to play the role. The film was met with positive reception and praise for the performances from the cast.
Superstore (2015-2021)
More recently, Ferrera has been charming as a store employee in the sitcom, Superstore. The show follows a group of employees working at a big-box chair store in St. Louis. She plays Amy Sosa in the show as well as serves as executive producer. Her character joins an ensemble cast including Ben Feldman, Lauren Ash, and Colton Dunn. With six seasons and 113 episodes, the show aired on NBC from 2015-2021 and is now available for streaming.
Barbie (2023)
And, America Ferrera movies and TV shows would not be complete without the newest addition to the roster: Barbie. While she's just a human, her character Gloria catapults Barbie (Margot Robbie) into new understandings of feminism and patriarchy, bringing a wisdom that no doubt will inspire every moviegoer. Ferrera's role celebrates motherhood, womanhood, and even personhood in general and we definitely recommend watching the film, if for her performance alone.
