Often relegated to the background throughout Hollywood's long and glitzy history, Latino entertainers in the 90's stepped into the spotlight.

The 90's saw Robert Rodriguez break into the action genre with directorial duties on "Desperado" and "From Dusk 'Til Dawn." Directors Gregory Nava (My Family, Selena) and Victor Nu�ez (Ulee's Gold, Ruby in Paradise), who enjoyed critical acclaim in the 80's, returned to find popular success in the 90's.

Even actors began to direct and star in their own projects, such as Edward James Olmos' dual role in the prison drama "American Me," which followed the successful example Cheech Marin had set with his 1987 comedy "Born in East L.A."

In addition, many Latino actors have begun to receive "non-traditional" roles. Instead of playing a criminal, Jimmy Smits heads the cast of "NYPD Blue" the hit television police drama; a first for primetime television. Even in the world of science fiction, Robert Beltran and Roxanne Biggs-Dawson of TV's "Star Trek: Voyager", make up just part of the ethnically diverse show.

On the silver screen, Jennifer Lopez has become one of the most sought-after actors since receiving acclaim for her role in "Selena", while some of her male counterparts, such as Andy Garcia and Antonio Banderas, are also being cast in non-Latino roles.

Although stereotypical portrayals of criminals and loose women still abound, a growing number of Latino artists are playing more and more multi-dimensional characters. If casting directors begin to recognize that Latinos are more than capable of portraying a wide range of characters, then the future seems bright indeed.