8 Things You Didn’t Know About Rosario Dawson

➡ Rosario Dawson Biography

Rosario Dawson has been a Hollywood mainstay since her big-screen debut in 1995. And, while she has consistently worked since, Dawson has remained under the radar, making few waves in Hollywood gossip circles. She has worked in the entertainment industry for over 20 years, from television to film, but it is her philanthropic work that has had the most impact on her life. In her honor, we’ve compiled a list of fascinating facts about the actress that you probably didn’t know.

8 Things You Didn’t Know About Rosario Dawson

1. Adopted A Teenager Girl

Dawson adopted Lola, an 11-year-old girl, in 2014. While some of her fans were surprised, she knew adoption was always a part of her family plan. The pair frequently post adorable Instagram photos together.

2. Multi-Talented

Dawson’s abilities aren’t limited to acting. In 2005, she played Mimi in the film adaptation of Rent. Dawson nailed the role, earning an NAACP Award nomination not only for her acting but also for her singing and dancing. ^[1]

3. Advocate For Body Positivity

Dawson was discussing body positivity years before it became a social media trend. She spoke to Shape magazine in August 2011 about the praise she received after losing a lot of weight to play Mimi, a drug addict dying of AIDS in Rent. ^[2]

4. Experienced A Major Family Tragedy

Dawson suffered a major family tragedy in May 2017 when her cousin, Vaneza Ines Vasquez, died in the actress’ Venice, California home. The actress performed CPR and dialed 911 in the hopes of reviving her cousin. Heart disease and Class III obesity were the official causes of death.

5. Active Involvement In Philanthropy

Dawson is well-known for her work with The Lower Eastside Girls Club, where she has volunteered her time and voice for many years. She is now on the Board of Directors and is an outspoken supporter of the club. In 2018, she also participated in the RESPECT! campaign to end domestic violence. ^[3]

6. Arrested a Few Times

Dawson was arrested twice as an activist, once in 2004 for protesting President George W. Bush at the Republican National Convention in New York City, and again in 2016 for crowding, obstructing, or incommoding after crossing police lines during the Democracy Spring rally in Washington, D.C.

7. Belongs From A Family Of Tall People

Despite being relatively tall at 5″7″, she is quite short in comparison to the rest of her family. Her mother stands six feet tall, her father stands six feet three inches tall, and her brother stands nearly a foot taller at six feet five inches.

8. Loved And Raised By Her Unbiological Father

Rosario’s mother married Greg Dawson, a construction worker who “loved and raised Rosario as his own daughter,” when she was one year old. “He’s always been my dad,” Dawson said.