30 most famous people from Colombia who made it big in music, sports, and Hollywood
Famous people from Colombia, such as Carlos Vives, Carlos Valderrama, and John Leguizamo, have captured global attention with their incredible talent and undeniable charisma. As a nation, Colombia has become a creative and athletic powerhouse, producing cultural ambassadors whose influence extends far beyond its borders.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Shakira is Colombia's most prominent global celebrity, selling millions of recordings and earning the nickname "Queen of Latin Music."
- James Rodríguez is a great player from Colombia who has garnered international acclaim for his performance.
- Sofía Vergara is one of the most famous Colombian actresses in Hollywood.
While ranking the list of the most famous people from Colombia, we considered factors such as global name recognition, cultural impact, media presence, and influence within their field. Information from sources such as IMDb and Spotify played a crucial role in this research.
| Celebrity | Profession |
| Shakira | Singer, songwriter |
| Carlos Vives | Actor, singer, songwriter |
| Juanes | Singer, musician |
| J Balvin | Singer |
| Karol G | Singer |
| Carlos Valderrama | Former footballer, sports analyst |
| James Rodríguez | Footballer |
| Radamel Falcao | Football striker |
| Faustino Asprilla | Former football player |
| Mario Yepes | Footballer |
| Sofía Vergara | Actress, TV personality |
| John Leguizamo | Stand-up comedian, actor, film producer |
| Manolo Cardona | Actor |
| Juan Pablo Raba | Actor |
| Catherine Siachoque | Actress |
Most famous people from Colombia in music
Colombia has produced some highly influential and internationally recognised vocalists across numerous genres. Below are some of the famous Colombian singers making it big in the scene:
1. Shakira
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll
- Date of birth: 2 February 1977
- Age: 48 years old (as of 2025)
- Genres: Latin pop, pop, dance, reggaeton, rock
Shakira is a famous singer and songwriter from Colombia. She made her music debut with Sony Music Colombia when she was fourteen. Shakira is known as the Queen of Latin Music and has had a huge impact on the musical landscape of Latin America, as well as popularising Hispanophone music.
2. Carlos Vives
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Carlos Alberto Vives Restrepo
- Date of birth: 7 August 1961
- Age: 64 years old (as of 2025)
- Genres: Vallenato, cumbia, porro, champeta, rock, Latin pop, reggaeton
Carlos Vives is a Colombian actor, singer, and songwriter. He is one of the best-selling Latin music singers of all time and is regarded as one of the most influential artists in the world. He has gradually increased the global appeal of vallenato through his interpretation of traditional music styles such as cumbia and champeta.
3. Juanes
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- Full name: Juan Esteban Aristizábal Vásquez
- Date of birth: 9 August 1972
- Age: 53 years old (as of 2025)
- Genres: Latin rock, rock en español, Latin pop, cumbia, hard rock
Juanes is a Colombian vocalist and musician who previously performed with the rock band Ekhymosis. He released his solo debut album Fíjate Bien in 2000 and has received 26 Latin Grammy Awards. Juanes has sold over 15 million records globally, making him one of the best-selling Latin singers of all time.
4. J Balvin
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- Full name: José Álvaro Osorio Balvín
- Date of birth: 7 May 1985
- Age: 40 years old (as of 2025)
- Genres: Reggaeton, urbano, Latin pop
J Balvin is a well-known singer from Colombia. He is among Latin music's best-selling musicians, with 35 million recordings sold worldwide. The BMI Latin Awards recognised Balvin as the Contemporary Latin Songwriter of the Year for his contributions to the Latin music business.
5. Karol G
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- Full name: Carolina Giraldo Navarro
- Date of birth: 14 February 1991
- Age: 34 years old (as of 2025)
- Genres: Reggaeton, urban pop, Latin R&B
Karol G is a famous Colombian singer. She is widely regarded as one of the most prominent reggaeton and urban music artists, having won a Grammy, five Billboard Music Awards, and six Latin Grammy Awards. Karol G's music has been classified as primarily reggaeton and Latin urban, with some Latin trap elements.
6. Maluma
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- Full name: Juan Luis Londoño Arias
- Date of birth: 28 January 1994
- Age: 31 years old (as of 2025)
- Genres: Urbano, reggaeton, hip-hop, trap, pop rap
Maluma is a Colombian singer, rapper, actor, and songwriter. Born and reared in Medellín, he began recording music at sixteen. Maluma's debut album, Magia, was released a year later, in 2012. However, his breakthrough album, Pretty Boy, Dirty Boy, released in 2015, paved the way for successful collaborations with various artists.
7. Totó la Momposina
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- Full name: Sonia Bazanta Vides
- Date of birth: 1 August 1940
- Age: 85 years old (as of 2025)
- Genres: Cumbia, bullerengue
Totó la Momposina is a Colombian singer with Afro-Colombian and Indigenous roots. She is from the 4th generation in her family to have a musical background. Momposina gained international recognition with the 1993 release of her album La Candela Viva on Peter Gabriel's Real World Records label.
8. Andrés Cepeda
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- Full name: Andrés Cepeda Cediel
- Date of birth: 7 July 1973
- Age: 52 years old (as of 2025)
- Genres: Latin, pop, jazz, rock
Andrés Cepeda is a well-known Colombian singer and songwriter. Andrés developed an interest in music at a young age, beginning with piano lessons when he was five. The singer is known for his romantic ballads and Latin pop hits such as Día Tras Día, Lo Mejor Que Hay en Mi Vida, and Besos Usados.
9. Sebastián Yatra
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Sebastián Obando Giraldo
- Date of birth: 15 October 1994
- Age: 30 years old (as of August 2025)
- Genres: Pop, Latin pop, reggaeton
Sebastián Yatra is a Colombian singer-songwriter and theatrical actor. He started as a Latin pop singer and recorded many ballads, but he has since released several successful reggaeton tunes. Sebastián is known for his romantic lyrics, which blend traditional lyricism with current reggaeton influences.
10. Camilo
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Camilo Echeverri Correa
- Date of birth: 16 March 1994
- Age: 31 years old (as of 2025)
- Genres: Latin pop
Camilo is a Colombian musician and songwriter. He was born in Medellín, Antioquia, and has received three Grammy nominations and six Latin Grammy Awards. His music is classified as Latin pop with elements of urbano music, and he is known for his love lyrics and treble voice.
Famous Colombian football players
Colombia has a rich soccer history that has produced numerous great and famous players. Here are some of the most popular Colombian soccer players of all time.
1. Carlos Valderrama
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- Full name: Carlos Alberto Valderrama Palacio
- Date of birth: 2 September 1961
- Age: 63 years old (as of August 2025)
- Position: Attacking midfielder
Carlos Valderrama is a former Colombian professional footballer and sports analyst for Fútbol de Primera. He was an offensive midfielder on the pitch. Valderrama is considered one of the greatest South American players of all time, as well as one of the best of his era.
2. James Rodríguez
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- Full name: James David Rodríguez Rubio
- Date of birth: 12 July 1991
- Age: 34 years old (as of 2025)
- Positions: Attacking midfielder, winger
James Rodríguez is a professional footballer from Colombia. He currently plays as an offensive midfielder for Liga MX club León and leads the Colombia national team. James Rodríguez is regarded as one of Colombia's greatest players of all time, having received accolades for his playmaking abilities, technique, and vision.
3. Radamel Falcao
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Radamel Falcao García Zárate
- Date of birth: 10 February 1986
- Age: 39 years old (as of 2025)
- Position: Striker
Radamel Falcao is a professional football striker from Colombia. He is regarded as one of the best attackers of his generation and one of Colombia's greatest footballers of all time. Radamel is Colombia's second-highest goal scorer of all time, with over 350 goals for club and country.
4. Faustino Asprilla
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Faustino Hernán Asprilla Hinestroza
- Date of birth: 10 November 1969
- Age: 55 years old (as of August 2025)
- Positions: Forward, attacking midfielder
Faustino Asprilla is a former Colombian professional football forward and winger who played for Parma, Newcastle United, and the Colombia national team. Asprilla resigned from professional football in Medellín, Colombia, in July 2009.
5. Mario Yepes
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- Full name: Mario Alberto Yepes Díaz
- Date of birth: 13 January 1976
- Age: 49 years old (as of 2025)
- Position: Centre back
Mario Yepes is a retired professional footballer from Colombia. He played centre back. Mario is well-known for his time at Paris Saint-Germain, where he was regarded as one of the best defenders of the era, earning the nickname "Super Mario" from fans.
6. Freddy Rincón
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- Full name: Freddy Eusebio Rincón Valencia
- Date of birth: 14 August 1966
- Date of death: 13 April 2022
- Position: Midfielder
Freddy Rincón was a Colombian professional footballer who competed in 84 games for the Colombia national team from 1990 to 2001. He was a flexible midfielder who could play on the left, centre, or as an offensive midfielder.
7. Iván Córdoba
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- Full name: Iván Ramiro Córdoba Sepúlveda
- Date of birth: 11 August 1976
- Age: 49 years old (as of 2025)
- Position: Defender
Iván Córdoba is a retired Colombian professional footballer who was a defender. He commenced his career with Colombian clubs Deportivo Rionegro and Atlético Nacional before joining the Argentine team San Lorenzo. Iván was Inter Milan's vice-captain and captained his country's national team.
8. Juan Cuadrado
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- Full name: Juan Guillermo Cuadrado Bello
- Date of birth: 26 May 1988
- Age: 37 years old (as of 2025)
- Positions: Winger, right-back
Juan Cuadrado is a professional footballer from Colombia who currently plays for the country's national team. He typically plays on the right side of the field, either as a full-back, winger, or wing-back. Juan is recognised for his direct style of play, including his speed on and off the ball and his dribbling abilities.
9. Luis Díaz
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- Full name: Luis Fernando Díaz Marulanda
- Date of birth: 13 January 1997
- Age: 28 years old (as of 2025)
- Position: Left winger
Luis Díaz is a professional football player from Colombia. He plays as a left winger for both the Colombian national team and the Bundesliga team Bayern Munich. Díaz started his professional career in Barranquilla's Categoría Primera B, later moving to Atlético Junior.
10. Willington Ortiz
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Willington Alfonso Ortiz Palacio
- Date of birth: 26 March 1952
- Age: 73 years old (as of 2025)
- Position: Midfielder
Willington Ortiz is a retired professional football player from Colombia. He competed as a forward or winger. Willington played 49 matches for the Colombia national team, scoring twelve goals. He ranks as the top Colombian player in the IFFHS's list of South American Players of the Century.
Famous Colombian actors and actresses
Colombia has produced numerous great actors who have earned domestic and international success. Some of the best-known include:
1. Sofía Vergara
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Sofía Margarita Vergara Vergara
- Date of birth: 10 July 1972
- Age: 53 years old (as of 2025)
- Profession: Actress, television personality
Sofía Vergara is a Colombian-American actress and TV personality. She became well-known in the late 1990s after co-hosting two television programs for Univision, a Spanish-language television network. Sofia ranks among the highest-paid actresses in the United States.
2. John Leguizamo
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: John Alberto Leguizamo Peláez
- Date of birth: 22 July 1960
- Age: 65 years old (as of 2025)
- Profession: Stand-up comedian, actor, film producer
John Leguizamo is a stand-up comedian, actor, and film producer of Colombian descent. He started his professional journey as a stand-up comedian in New York City. After years of playing minor roles in films and television, he catapulted to prominence with key roles in the fantasy adventure film Super Mario Bros (1993).
3. Manolo Cardona
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Manuel "Manolo" Julián Cardona Molano
- Date of birth: 25 April 1977
- Age: 48 years old (as of 2025)
- Profession: Actor
Manolo Cardona is a professional actor from Colombia. He began his acting career in 1995, at the age of 18, in the popular Colombian television series Padres e hijos, where he appeared for three years.
4. Juan Pablo Raba
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Juan Pablo Raba Vidal
- Date of birth: 14 January 1977
- Age: 48 years old (as of 2025)
- Profession: Film, TV, and telenovela actor
Juan Pablo Raba is a Colombian actor specialising in film, television, and telenovelas. He is best recognised for his portrayal as Gustavo Gaviria in the Netflix series Narcos (2015).
5. Catherine Siachoque
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- Full name: María Alexandra Catherine Siachoque Gaete
- Date of birth: 21 January 1972
- Age: 53 years old (as of 2025)
- Profession: Actress, dancer
Catherine Siachoque is a Colombian actress most recognised for her villain portrayals in various telenovelas. She has been featured in Telemundo shows including Tierra de Pasiones, Amantes del Desierto, Pecados ajenos, La Venganza, Te voy a enseñar a querer, and the TV anthology program Decisiones.
6. Catalina Sandino Moreno
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- Full name: Catalina Sandino Moreno
- Date of birth: 19 April 1981
- Age: 44 years old (as of 2025)
- Profession: Actress
Catalina Sandino is a renowned actress from Colombia. She is well known for being nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress and sharing the Silver Bear with Charlize Theron for her portrayal as the lead in Maria Full of Grace (2004).
7. Angie Cepeda
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- Full name: Angélica María Cepeda Jiménez
- Date of birth: 2 August 1974
- Age: 51 years old (as of 2025)
- Profession: Actress
Angie Cepeda is a Colombian film actress. She is most famous for her performances in the telenovela Pobre Diabla and the movies Love in the Time of Cholera (2007) and Captain Pantoja and the Special Services (1999).
8. Ana Lucía Domínguez
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- Full name: Ana Lucía Domínguez Tobón
- Date of birth: 2 December 1983
- Age: 41 years old (as of August 2025)
- Profession: Actress, model
Ana Lucía Domínguez is a model and actress from Colombia. Her debut TV appearance was in the soap opera Padres e hijos. She later appeared in De Pies a Cabeza and Conjunto Cerrado. Hermosa Niña was her first leading role in a television series.
9. Sebastián Martínez
Source: Instagram
- Full name: Sebastián Martínez
- Date of birth: 7 January 1983
- Age: 42 years old (as of 2025)
- Profession: Actor
Sebastián Martínez is an actor from Colombia. He is most recognised for his roles in programs such as The Accident (2024), The Marked Heart (2022–2023), Rosario Tijeras (2018–2019), and Bloque de búsqueda (2016).
10. Carmen Villalobos
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- Full name: Carmen Villalobos
- Date of birth: 13 July 1983
- Age: 42 years old (as of 2025)
- Profession: Actress
Carmen Villalobos is a Colombian model and actress. She is well-known for her role as Catalina Santana in the telenovela Sin senos no hay paraíso, adapted from Gustavo Bolívar's novel Sin tetas no hay paraíso.
Who is the most famous Colombian person?
Shakira is widely recognised as one of the most famous Colombian celebrities in the world. Her reputation as a worldwide music superstar with a decades-long career has made her a household name on all continents.
Other names on the list include Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria, Juan Manuel Santos, and Fernando Botero.
Who is a famous actor from Colombia in Hollywood?
John Leguizamo is an accomplished and versatile Colombian-American actor. He has a lengthy and successful Hollywood career, having appeared in several films and television shows.
The most famous people from Colombia have far-reaching influence beyond their particular accomplishments. Colombia has successfully proven itself as a wellspring of world-class talent, from the worldwide supremacy of its musical artists to the historic successes of its sports and the star power of its actors.
Yen.com.gh recently published an article about the richest musicians in Ghana. The Ghanaian music business is dynamic, with various genres and musicians.
Ghanaian musicians earn money from song royalties, live performances, and music streaming services. Read the article to learn more about Ghana's richest musicians.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
