Rosario Isabel Dawson (born May 9, 1979) is an American actress, producer, singer, and activist. She is known for her roles in a wide variety of films and television shows, including Rent (2005), Sin City (2005), Death Proof (2007), Seven Pounds (2008), Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (2013), Top Five (2014), Daredevil (2015–2018), Luke Cage (2016–2018), Iron Fist (2017), The Defenders (2017), Jane the Virgin (2017–2019), and Mandalorian (2019–present).
Dawson was born in New York City to Isabel Celeste and Gregory Dawson. Her mother is of Puerto Rican and Irish descent, and her father is of African-American and Irish descent. Dawson was raised in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. She began acting at a young age, appearing in a number of student films and theater productions.
In 1995, Dawson was cast in the lead role in the independent film Kids. The film was a critical and commercial success, and Dawson's performance was widely praised. She went on to star in a number of other films, including He Got Game (1998), Josie and the Pussycats (2001), and Alexander (2004).
In 2005, Dawson starred in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical Rent. The film was a critical and commercial success, and Dawson's performance was again praised. She went on to star in a number of other films, including Sin City (2005), Death Proof (2007), and Seven Pounds (2008).
In addition to her film work, Dawson has also starred in a number of television shows. She had a recurring role on the ABC series The First Family (2012–2013), and she starred in the Netflix series Daredevil (2015–2018), Luke Cage (2016–2018), Iron Fist (2017), The Defenders (2017), and Jane the Virgin (2017–2019).
Dawson is a vocal activist for a number of causes, including social justice, environmental protection, and animal rights. She is a co-founder of the organization Voto Latino, which works to increase voter registration and turnout among Latino Americans. She is also a board member of the Environmental Media Association.
Dawson is a talented and versatile actress who has starred in a wide range of films and television shows. She is a role model for many young women, and she is an inspiration to millions of people around the world.