Latinos are the most underrepresented in Hollywood’s distorted demographics

Latinos are the most underrepresented ethnic group in Hollywood, according to an analysis by the USC Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism released this week.

Across the top 100 films of 2014, 73.1 percent of characters were White, 4.9 percent Hispanic, 12.5 percent Black, and 5.3 percent Asian.

In comparison, according to the Census Bureau population estimates for 2013, Hispanics comprised 17.1 percent of the population, Blacks 13.2 percent, and Asians 5.3 percent.

“In light of these real world percentages, Hispanic/Latino characters on screen in film continue to be the most underrepresented ethnic group”, reads the report. “This is surprising given that Hispanics purchased 23 percent of U.S. movie tickets in 2014 and Nielsen estimates that they have a current spending power of about $1.4 trillion.”

Furthermore, only 17 of the 100 top films of 2014 featured a lead or co lead actor from an underrepresented racial or ethnic group. Among them, 47 percent were Black, 29.4 from mixed racial/ethnic heritages, 11.8 percent Asian, and 11.8 percent Hispanic.

An additional three films depicted an ensemble cast with half or more of the group comprised of actors from underrepresented racial/ethnic backgrounds.