April 9, 2010, at 8:39 pm
These two leading ladies may look the same, but underneath it all, they are like water and oil. First lets start with the similarities: Newton and Saldana are both in their 30′s, both over 5 feet, both born in the 70′s, both look African-American but in reality, they are both far from it.
Thandie was born Thandiwe Adjewa Newton in London, to a Zimbabwean Shona Princess and health care worker and an English laboratory technician and artist. Zoe on the other hand, was born Zoe Yadira Zaldana Nazario in New Jersey (Of all places) to a Dominican father and a Puerto Rican mother.
Even though Thandie is 6 years older than Zoe and started acting almost 10 years before her, their movie careers are very similar. Newton did 26 movies and Saldana did 23 movies and 3 TV shows, that’s a good catch up considering Newton had a 10 year start.
On the personal level, they are both in long-term relationship but have no kids. You’d think Thandie will start popping them out soon, after all she has been married for 13 years and will be hitting 40 in a few years.
Zoe still have some time though, with movies like Avatar, Star Trek and Death at a Funeral coming out soon, this young actress will be around for a while.
| Name | Thandie Newton | Zoe Saldana |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 37 | 31 |
| Height | 5' 3" | 5' 7" |
| Date of Birth | November 6, 1972 | June 19, 1978 |
| Descent | Zimbabwean / British | Dominican / Puerto Rican |
| Filmography | Interview with the Vampire, Mission: Impossible II, The Chronicles of Riddick, Crash, The Pursuit of Happiness, RocknRolla, W, 2012 | Center Stage, Drumline, Crossroads, Pirates of the Caribbean:The Curse of the Black Pearl, The Terminal, Vantage Point, Star Trek, Avatar, Death at a Funeral |
| Previous Boy-Toys | Brad Pitt (1994-1995) | None that I know of |
| Current Love Interest | Married English TV writer and director Ol Parker in 1997 | Has been dating Actor Keith Britton since 2005 |
| Why I Love Her? | The Chronicles of Riddick | Star Trek |
| Fun fact | Her full name, Thandiwe, means "beloved" | Says she's a sci-fi geek who just happens to dress nice |
Well this was an in depth comparison if I ever saw one.
I don’t think they look anything alike except in the most general sense
Sure, it’s easy to point to all their differences when you’re looking at them side by side (a pleasure I haven’t had till now), but since they each just occasionally pop up in movies without the other, their many physical and personal similarities (as well as the similar roles they’re offered), make it easy to forget which one was in what movie.
I feel reassured that I’m not the only one, after seeing this as well as a similar discussion at IMDb. And apparently Zoe’s own mother confused her with Thandie, so that puts us in pretty credible company.
I’ve always had to remind myself who is who, though with Avatar and the future roles it will bring, I think Zoe will soon break this deadlock.
Wow Dan…
Thanks for the in depth comment – I really appreciate it!
I thought that Thandie Newton and her husband had two daughters?
You’re correct Thandie has two daughters.
oil and water indeed!
I don’t think they’re that far from being African-American. They both have African ancestry, and Saldana is American.
AHAHA far from african american??? Her dad is from fucking zimbabwe. PRetty african to me. Maybe not american.
Two of my favorite actresses. They can do no wrong. Check out Thandie Newton: “Embracing otherness, embracing myself” video on TED.com.
Just for correction they are both of AFRICAN descent. Zimbabwe is in Africa, and many Dominicans and Puerto Ricans are descendants of African Slaves. Africans were spread all across latin america and the carribbean. So i agree with the “american” part but “they are still African
.. apart fron the fact that Thandie Newton is married and has two daughters called Ripley and Nico
I found it humorous that Zoe mentioned that she and Thandie look so much alike that even her mother mistook Thandie for her once. I am in shock. According to my sensibilities I don’t see it. They are both attractive women with very distinct looks. They have long hair, are slender built and that’s where the physical similarities end. They are different complexions, facial features though similar take on total different looks. They both have the African influenced nose and full bottom lips, they have the high cheek bones associated with Africans/Native Americans and that’s it. Zoe looks more average African American while Thandie looks mixed/more exotic and yet could easily be mistaken for African American as well. Even their body types are different. Thandie actually has the traditional African round buttocks where as Zoe lacks in that department. The bottomline is both women are of African descent though Zoe seems to make an effort to point out that she is American Latino. Ummmm interesting.
No I think if she refers to herself as american latino thats is perfectly correct – her mother is puerto rican and her mother’s language is Spanish – her father is from the Dominican rep and is language is spanish also- now many african american do not speak spanish – so by referring herself as african american she looses all that makes her different – so yes she is definitely a latina
they both only have white boyfriends in movies and are both dating white men in real life!!! there’s another similarity
They are both blessed to be of African American descent….alive and breathing, and combating racism in Hollywood… They are working actresses…YES!!!!
@Kai El’ Zabar……thanks for breaking it all down so throughly and scientific for us all…smh
I’ve seen this comparison on the net a lot. Yes Thandie and Zoe favor each other but Thandie is clearly the more attractive and more talented of the two.
Oh the last post is SO wrong….both beautiful women, but Zoe hands down is ABSOLUTELY MORE gorgeous and talented!!!!!
Humans have already been separated into white and blacks. As if that is not enough, u go down to seperate the blacks to African Americans , African African, African Latinos etc… Just cut the crap and say BLACK!!! There is no African American! They are blacks! And if u want to think u want to be decent, be educated that all blacks are from African ancestry!!