What does it mean to be Mexican? It’s a complicated question — since not only are there more than 130 million native-born citizens, but a Mexican diaspora numbering over 40 million around the globe — making it nearly an impossible task to come up with a completely satisfying definition.
One thing is clear: Mexico is a very warm country, especially when it comes to welcoming those who embrace it with love. There’s even a popular saying that captures this idea: “Los Mexicanos nacemos donde se nos pega la gana,” which means that a Mexican can be born wherever they choose.
The nation is also a melting pot, having welcomed significant populations of Italians, Germans, Lebanese, Argentinians, Venezuelans, Japanese and Koreans into the country as immigrants since the late 19th century. President Claudia Sheinbaum comes from a family of European Jews who settled in Mexico, for example, and the many examples like this make the question of Mexican identity even more nuanced.
If we consider Mexican identity not only in the traditional sense (native-born citizens), but also more inclusively to include those with Mexican roots or heritage, there are more international Mexican celebrities than you might think. In fact, a few of the names on this list even surprised us.
Alan Cleland
A professional surfer who competed in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and won gold at the 2023 International Surfing Association (ISA) World Surfing Games, Alan has been making his mark in extreme sports. But with sandy blonde hair and a surfboard on him at all times, the average person may think he’s just another Californian who grew up near the beach.
Born to a Mexican mother and an American ex-pro surfer father in Boca de Pascuales, Colima, Alan learned to surf before he even learned to speak English. He later moved to San Diego to further develop his surfing skills and began competing in the World Surf League when he was only 13.
After he won gold in 2023, there was even a video of him carrying the Mexican flag and chanting “Viva Mexico” as any proud Mexican would in the same position. He completed the 2025 season ranked 19th in the World Surf League (WSL) tour.
Wee Man
Best known for his role in the “Jackass” movie franchise, Wee Man has made a name for himself by performing stunts on film that the average viewer should never try at home. In addition, he’s a pro skateboarder and was a host on the Fox Sports Net television show “54321.” Despite his impressive resume, his background is more diverse than most people would assume.
Wee Man’s legal name is Jason Shannon Acuña, and he is of Mexican and German descent. He’s spoken openly in the past about growing up eating tacos and menudo. The “Jackass” actor, idolized for getting into cages with bulls, bungee jumping and funny pranks, also has an entrepreneurial side, having been a long-time investor in the popular Mexican-American franchise Chronic Tacos.
Kat Von D
A well-known public figure in her niche, Kat Von D may look like the reincarnation of Amy Winehouse, yet is actually a Mexican-born tattoo artist from Nuevo León.
She’s most recognized for her work on the TLC reality show “LA Ink.” On the show, she set the record for the most tattoos done in 24 hours at 400 and was named to the Guinness Book of World Records for that milestone — a record that has since been surpassed.
In addition, Von D has also released a makeup collection with Sephora in 2008, released two studio albums and written two New York Times bestselling books.
Anthony Quinn
If you’re a fan of old movies and love trivia, Anthony Quinn could be defined as a legend of Hollywood. In the 1950s, he cleaned up at the Oscars — winning two Best Supporting Actor awards, one in 1952 for “Viva Zapata!” and another in 1956 for “Lust for Life.” What many U.S. audiences didn’t know at the time, however, was that he was also Mexican.
His legal name was Manuel Antonio Rodolfo Quinn Oaxaca. What’s also intriguing is the fact that he was born in Chihuahua at the midpoint of the Mexican Revolution in 1915. It’s said his father was Irish and his mother was from Mexico, yet in his biography, “The Original Sin: A Self-Portrait,” he claimed his Irish father was just a story made up by Hollywood publicists. In other words, he was as proud to be Mexican as they come. That alone deserves to be celebrated as much as his Oscars.
Hubertus von Hohenlohe-Langenburg
Most people know a famous Mexican soccer player or boxer, but what about one who’s a well-known skier? Hubertus Hohenlohe-Langenburg is a pioneer in niche sports in Mexico, having competed in six Winter Olympics as an alpine skier and founded the Mexican Ski Federation in 1981.
His family story is also one that could be turned into a scripted television series. Hohenlohe is a descendant of German royalty, being the son of Prince Alfonso of Hohenlohe-Langenburg and Princess Ira von Fürstenberg. He was born in Mexico City, moved to Spain and then eventually settled in Austria.
In addition, Hohenlohe is a photographer and businessman and was even a pop singer who went by the stage names Andy Himalaya and Royal Disaster.
Lupita Nyong’o
Having won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in the film “12 Years a Slave” in 2014, Lupita Nyong’o has gone on to be one of Hollywood’s brightest stars, appearing in “Black Panther” and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” But the most intriguing thing about her is her cultural background. Not only does she hold U.S. and Kenyan citizenship, but she also carries Mexican citizenship.
Her father is a Kenyan politician who was teaching in Mexico City when she was born. Although she grew up in Kenya and later came over to the United States to study at Yale University, she has always maintained that she is Kenyan-Mexican.
So who else should have been mentioned on our list? Let us know in the comments below.
Ian Ostroff is an indie author, journalist, and copywriter from Montreal, Canada. You can find his work in various outlets, including Map Happy and The Suburban. When he’s not writing, you can find Ian at the gym, a café, or anywhere within Mexico visiting family and friends.
