Mayte Michelle Rodriguez (born July 12, 1978) is an American actress. Her breakout role as a troubled boxer in the independent film "Girlfight" (2000) was met with critical acclaim, and earned her several awards, including the Independent Spirit Award and Gotham Award for Best Debut Performance. The following year, she starred as Letty Ortiz in the blockbuster film "The Fast and the Furious" (2001), a role she has reprised in six additional films throughout the "Fast & Furious" franchise. She has also appeared in a number of successful action films, including "Resident Evil", "S.W.A.T.", "", and "Avatar".