Rosario Dawson is an actress, producer, singer, and activist. Dawson's career started when she appeared on Sesame Street as a child, but her feature debut came at 15 when she was spotted sitting outside her home. Photographer Larry Clark and filmmaker Harmony Korine saw her and thought she would be ideal for a role in Korine's film Kids.

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Since then, Dawson has acted in over 100 movies and TV shows. Her versatility as an actress is marked by the eclectic range of roles, having portrayed superheroes, government officials, love interests, teachers, and so on. Apart from her acting, Dawson has dedicated a significant amount of her time and passion to philanthropy and advocating for different causes, such as women's rights, fighting domestic violence, and LGBTQ+ rights.

Mimi Marquez - Rent (6.9)

For the 2005 film adaptation of the musical Rent, Dawson was cast after Marquez's actress from the original Broadway show,  Daphne Rubin-Vega was pregnant and could not participate. For her audition, Dawson planned an elaborate dance number. However, while auditioning in front of director Chris Columbus, she got nervous and was sure she failed. Convinced she ruined her chance, she left, only to be chased down by Columbus, who gave her the part.

Dawson's multi-faceted and impassioned performance of Marquez remains as one of the film's highlights. One of the best scenes that demonstrated her acting skills was the "Light My Candle" segment. Dawson as Marquez was showing signs of drug withdrawal, whilst singing to Roger.

Batgirl/Barbara Gordon - The Lego Batman Movie (7.3)

The Lego Batman Movie was Dawson's third time portraying a DC character, having previously played Artemis in Wonder Woman (2009) and Wonder Woman in three direct-to-video animated films (at that point). The writing and Dawson's charismatic performance created a unique iteration of Gordon that stands apart from previous versions and portrayals.

Apart from being Batman's love interest, as a character, Gordon was diverse and beguiling. She could be straightlaced, but also hilarious and convivial.

Becky - Clerks II (7.3)

Casting Becky in Clerks II turned out to be an uneasy task for writer and director Kevin Smith. While he wanted to cast his wife, the studio did not approve. Before approaching Dawson, actresses such as Sarah Silverman and Bryce Dallas Howard both turned it down. While Dawson loved the script, the "donkey show" scene is what sealed her fate.

Dawson and the cast had tremendous chemistry together. Love interests in films can be dull and vapid, but due to the film's witty script and Dawson's performance, Becky has become one of the most recognizable characters in Kevin Smith's movies.

Wonder Woman - Justice League Dark: Akropolis War (7.4)

Before Dawson took the mantle, Wonder Woman had been played by over 10 actresses. Following the likes of Lynda Carter and Susan Eisenberg, Dawson not only delivered on giving audiences the superheroine everyone knew and loved, but also carried on the character's independent and stirring spirit.

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In Justice League Dark: Apopkolips War, Dawson arguably gave her most emotional performance as the character to date. Under the control of Darkseid, Wonder Woman is now a cyborg who is trapped in a ravaged world.

Abernathy - Grindhouse (7.5)

In Grindhouse's "Death Proof" segment, Dawson played Abernathy - a street-smart, 20-something-year-old who managed to swindle a car and experienced an unforgettable joyride with her girlfriends while being pursued by the demented Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell).

Dawson's bubbly and charismatic performance made her one of the more memorable characters, especially in the end, when they gloriously face off against Mike.

Emily - Seven Pounds (7.6)

In Seven Pounds, Dawson acted alongside Will Smith, as Emily, a stranger who is pursued by Smith initially to change her life but they inevitably fall in love. As Emily, Dawson delivered a profoundly sentimental and resonating performance. Despite the film receiving generally received negative reviews, a recurring positive note was Dawson's acting in the film.

Richard Corliss mentioned in a Time review that Dawson gave a "lovely performance." Michael LaSalle of SFGate commented that the role, "shows once again that she has it in her to be the powerhouse."

Naturelle Riveria - 25th Hour (7.6)

Rosario Dawson leaning as a man talks to her in 25th Hour

Described as one of the best films of the decade by critic Roger Ebert, Dawson co-starred alongside Edward Norton, Anna Paquin, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, and Brian Cox in 25th Hour. Her character Naturelle Riveria was Monty's (Norton) girlfriend and one of his biggest support systems (despite him questioning her loyalty). He spends his last hours as a free-man with her and others before his seven-year prison sentence begins.

While a seemingly innocuous role, Riveria is a key character in the film and her presence is amplified by Dawson's unforgettable portrayal.

Jane Ramos - Jane The Virgin (7.8)

Rosario Dawson sitting on a couch with a pink wall in the background

Jane the Virgin's Jane Ramos was a blunt, spunky, and calculated lawyer who was in a sweet, whirlwind romance with Petra (Yale Grobglas) that ended too soon (before being picked up again). From seasons 4 to 5, Dawson was one of the most memorable guest characters and melded well with the cast.

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In the series finale, despite not having appeared since the episode "Chapter Ninety-One," Dawson surprising (and wonderfully) reappeared one more time to reunite with Petra.

Gail - Sin City (8)

Originating from the comic of the same name, Dawson brought Gail to life from the pages. Sin City's Gail is one of Dawson's most iconic roles and for good reason. She is a hard-hitting, bad-ass who helped run Old Town, alongside other women. She owned her title as a dominatrix and a sex worker and was empowered by it.

And while the costume, makeup, and writing helped bring this character to the screen, it is Dawson's pure, uncut magnetism and honed acting skills that sold Gail and made her a fan favorite.

Claire Temple - Daredevil (8.6)

Claire Temple in an elevator with Jessica Jones

In the TV series Daredevil, Claire Temple was introduced as a nurse who helped vigilantes, like Daredevil. She later appeared in other Marvel TV series and a Jessica Jones tie-in comic. Temple is a genial and tough-as-nails martyr who is willing to go to great lengths to ensure others' safety, even if it means compromising her own.

The popularity of Temple's character and Dawson's presence was so strong that fans were upset when she left the series. Dawson's portrayal of Temple represents the best of her acting qualities, including her appeal, charm, and authenticity.

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