Who is Rosie Perez? American actress and ringside analyst for Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson

Perez is a Hollywood icon but many fans may not know that the actor is also an avid boxing fan and will be giving her take on Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul

Movie, music and sports stars are also expected to be in attendance for the major clash between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson this Friday night.

‘Iron Mike’ and the YouTuber turned boxer are finally set to lock horns after their initial bout, scheduled for July, was postponed. The fight is going out live around the world on Netflix and, as per any blockbuster match-up, will have a host of famous faces ringside.

However, a Hollywood icon, former Oscar nominee, and boxing fanatic, Rosie Perez, will also be taking her place ringside, but as an analyst on the fight, and will be giving round to round updates. Brooklyn native Perez shot to fame in Spike Lee’s legendary film ‘Do The Right Thing’ in 1989 and has starred in several major movies and TV shows since.

While she has been a fixture on the state-side celebrity scene for over two decades, UK fans may not be in the know when it comes to Perez. So, ahead of the much anticipated fight we take a deep dive into the movie star’s past and career ahead of her giving her take on Tyson v Paul to millions around the world.

What is Rosie Perez’s net worth?

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Perez is currently worth $12million (£9.442m). In addition to her acting work, Perez is also an acclaimed choreographer who has worked on music videos and concerts for the likes of Janet Jackson, Bobby Brown, and LL Cool J, while she was also good friends with the likes of late hip-hop star Tupac Shakur.

As well as appearing in several movies such as White Men Can’t Jump, Pineapple Express, Pitch Perfect 2 and Birds of Prey, the 60-year-old has also been a contributor to US talk show ‘The View’. She was also in a celebrated TV show ‘The Flight Attendant’ and is reported to have earned the bulk of her money through her film roles.

Rosie Perez’s Oscar nomination

Perez was nominated for the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Peter Weir’s 1993 film Fearless but lost out to X-Men star Anna Paquin, who won for The Piano. However, she did pick up several statuettes for her performance at New York, Boston and Chicago film award ceremonies.

She has also been nominated for Emmy awards and Golden Globes in her time on the silver screen. However, she has also been noted for her activism and was appointed to The Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS in 2010 by former US President Barack Obama.

Rosie Perez’ personal life

Perez has had a fascinating yet turbulent personal life. Perez was abandoned as a baby and was raised by her aunt. Her mother returned when she was three, only to then place her in a strict Catholic convent school in upstate New York, along with several of her half-siblings. After that, Perez moved between group foster homes where she faced abuse and more challenges.

However, she rocketed to fame after being spotted dancing by filmmaker Spike Lee. After a stint on ‘Soul train’ she was circled by Hollywood and never looked back. Despite her impressive filmography, Perez is now known as “the first lady of boxing”.

Around her home state of New York, she is often found ringside, not just at the big title fights, but at lower stakes fights too. She is also best placed to give her take on Tyson and Paul thanks to her own experience in the ring.

“I learned how to box because I used to get beat up a lot. And I was scrappy. I would always fight back all the time, even though I would lose,” she said to The Guardian in 2022. “That’s another reason why I like boxing so much because it takes so much tenacity and discipline to become a champion.”

Perez married filmmaker and playwright Seth Zvi Rosenfeld in 1998 however they divorced in 2001 after 10 years together. She married artist Eric Haze on September 15, 2013, in Las Vegas and they have resided in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn since 2014.