As actress Salma Hayek celebrates turning 49 on Sept. 2, we take a look at some of the Latina's most memorable roles and films. The star's career includes a variety of critically acclaimed performances, as well several fan favorites and cult classics.

1. Teresa Martínez in "Teresa"

The actress rose to fame in Mexico with her starring role in the 1989 telenovela "Teresa." The actress, who was 23 at the time, starred as a young woman looking to escape poverty and become a member of the luxurious upper class. The telenovela, a remake of the 1959 version, was very successful and was remade in 2010 with actress Angelica Boyer in the starring role.

2. Alma in "Midaq Alley"

In this 1995 film, Hayek starred as Alma, the beautiful and passionate daughter of a tarot reader. The Mexican film holds the record for the film that has won the most awards in Mexican cinema. Hayek was nominated for an Ariel Award for her performance in the film.

3. Carolina in "Desperado"

Hayek played the tough and seductive character in the follow-up to "El Mariachi." The film, which she starred alongside Antonio Banderas in, marked the star's first collaboration with director Robert Rodriguez. The role elevated Hayek to the status of on-screen sex symbol.

4. Vampire Santánico Pandemónium in "From Dusk till Dawn"

No other Hayek film has a scene as iconic as the one in "From Dusk till Dawn" where Hayek dances with a snake at a strip club. The film, directed by Robert Rodriguez and written by Quentin Tarantino, became a cult classic and has arguably inspired other big pop culture moments, like Britney Spears dancing with a snake at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards, as well as a television series, starring Eiza González, of the same name.

5. Serendipity in "Dogma"

The 1999 film featured an all-star cast that included Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Chris Rock, Alan Rickman and Alanis Morissette, along with Hayek. In the film, Hayek played a supporting role and added the film and another popular dance scene to her resume of cult classics.

6. Frida Kahlo in "Frida"

Besides playing a vampire on film, Hayek's best role may be that of the Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo, in the 2002 biopic "Frida." Hayek received high praises for her portrayal of the surrealist painter and even received several award nominations for the role. Hayek was nominated for an Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA, Screen Actors Guild Award and won an Imagen Award for Best Actress.

7. Sara Sandoval in "Bandidas"

In this 2006 film, Hayek joined forces with Spanish actress Penélope Cruz for a female led film about two Mexican women who become bank robbers to bring down a criminal terrorizing their town. While the film wasn't necessarily a hit with critics, audiences were pleased to watch the Hispanic actresses together on-screen.