A new study from Dr. Stacy L. Smith and the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative has found that Latine actors and filmmakers are still severely underrepresented in Hollywood.
According to the study, only 10 lead or co-lead roles (8.5%) in the 100 top-grossing movies released in 2022 went to Latine/Hispanic actors. For context, Latines make up 19.1% of the U.S. population. The study also examined 1,600 films and 62,000 characters with dialogue between 2007 and 2022.
When looking at films within the 16-year span, only 75 lead or co-lead roles (4.4%) were Latine/Hispanic. Less than 5% of all directors were Latine/Hispanic.
“There is a clear and persistent lack of stories that center on Hispanic/Latino actors and the Hispanic/Latino experience,” said Ariana Case, lead author of the study. “Despite the profusion of talent from this community, there is a clear reluctance on the part of the entertainment industry to develop and distribute these stories.”
In the rare instance that a Latine was cast in the lead or co-lead role of a movie, the production budget of the film was less for the Latine-led movie ($10 million average) than a movie starring a non-Latine ($25 million average). Latine-led movies also had less money in their marketing budget than those movies starring non-Latines.
“These findings illuminate that Hispanic/Latino stories are supported with fewer resources,” said founder Dr. Stacey L. Smith. “That means that not only films themselves are under-resourced, but the Hispanic/Latino actors starring in these movies probably receive lower compensation.”
Smith added: “This reality adds insult to injury – not only are there few opportunities for Hispanic/Latino actors, the roles that exist are less lucrative. This reality means that sustaining a career in film is nearly impossible for Hispanic/Latino actors.”
