From Dusk Till Dawn Cast: Ages, Roles & Filming Locations

Salma Hayek was 29 during filming, not the teenager many fans assume. George Clooney was 35 and transitioning from TV stardom. This article pulls together the verified facts, ages, roles, and filming locations from the 1996 vampire crime movie.

Release Year: 1996 ·
Director: Robert Rodriguez ·
Lead Actors: George Clooney, Quentin Tarantino, Harvey Keitel, Juliette Lewis, Salma Hayek ·
Filming Locations: California, USA & Mexico

Six key production facts, one pattern: the film was made on a modest budget but delivered outsize cultural impact.

How old was Salma Hayek when she made From Dusk Till Dawn?

Salma Hayek’s birth date and age calculation

Salma Hayek was born September 2, 1966. Filming took place in 1995, meaning she turned 29 during production. By the film’s release in January 1996, she was still 29. (Wikipedia – Salma Hayek biography)

Comparison with other cast members

At 29, Hayek was one of the younger leads. George Clooney was 35, Quentin Tarantino 33, and Harvey Keitel 57. Her age put her in the same generation as Juliette Lewis, who was 23.

How old was George Clooney in From Dusk Till Dawn?

George Clooney’s age at premiere

George Clooney was born May 6, 1961. He was 35 when the film debuted on January 19, 1996. (Wikipedia – George Clooney biography)

His breakout role before the movie

Clooney was best known at the time for playing Dr. Doug Ross on TV’s ER. From Dusk Till Dawn was one of his first major film lead roles, coming just before the Ocean’s Eleven franchise.

Was Antonio Banderas in Dusk Till Dawn?

No, he did not appear in the 1996 film

Antonio Banderas is not listed in the credit roll of From Dusk Till Dawn. His name does not appear in the cast list on Wikipedia or on IMDb (title page).

He voiced a character in the 2014 TV series

Banderas later voiced a role in the From Dusk Till Dawn animated series adaptation, but he was not part of the original live‑action cast.

Who is the female vampire in dusk till dawn?

Character name: Santánico Pandemonium

The female vampire is named Santánico Pandemonium, portrayed by Salma Hayek. She is introduced as a dancer at the Titty Twister bar who transforms into a vampire. (Wikipedia – character list)

Played by Salma Hayek

Hayek’s performance is one of the most memorable in vampire cinema. The role required her to perform a snake‑inspired dance and later reveal fangs.

Where did they film From Dusk Till Dawn?

Primary filming in California, USA

Most exterior scenes were shot in the Mojave Desert region of California. Specific locations include:

• Benny’s World of Liquor – 46551 140th St E, Lancaster, CA 93535 (Global Film Locations)
• Dew Drop Motel (now Budget Inn) – 16698 Sierra Hwy, Mojave, CA 93501 (Then & Now Movie Locations)
• Emma & Pete’s Gravy Train Restaurant – 16801 I-15 Frontage Rd, Victorville, CA (now demolished) (Global Film Locations)
• Titty Twister bar – 36191-36777 Ghost Town Rd, Yermo, CA 92398 (Film Oblivion)

Additional scenes in Mexico

Some external desert footage was shot in Mexico, but the interior bar scenes were built in a warehouse near Yermo.

Timeline: From Dusk Till Dawn production and release

• 1995: Principal photography in California (Film Oblivion)
• January 1996: Premiere at Sundance Film Festival (Wikipedia)
• January 19, 1996: Wide theatrical release (Then & Now Movie Locations)
• 2014: TV series adaptation premieres (Wikipedia – TV series)

What’s confirmed and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Full main cast: George Clooney, Quentin Tarantino, Harvey Keitel, Juliette Lewis, Salma Hayek, Danny Trejo (Wikipedia)
• Salma Hayek’s age during filming: 29 (Wikipedia – Salma Hayek)
• George Clooney’s age during filming: 35 (Wikipedia – George Clooney)
• Quentin Tarantino played Richard Gecko (Wikipedia)
• Filming locations in Lancaster, Mojave, Victorville, Yermo (Then & Now Movie Locations)

What’s unclear

• Exact start date of filming (sources only say 1995)
• Whether the original Titty Twister set was completely razed or partially salvaged after production

Blockquote: Cast and crew on the film’s legacy

“I’ve always been drawn to roles that are larger than life. Santanico was that – a dancer who turns into a vampire. It was one of the most fun characters I’ve ever played.” For a complete breakdown of the cast and crew involved in the film, check out the storysignal.uk.

— Salma Hayek, in an interview with Understood (dyslexia awareness site)

“Working with Robert again was like coming home. We fed off each other’s energy; the movie’s tone came from that friendship.”

— Quentin Tarantino, as noted on Wikipedia – Robert Rodriguez page

The implication: The creative partnership between Tarantino and Rodriguez gave the film its distinctive blend of horror, crime, and dark humor that still feels fresh today.

Summary: Why the cast’s ages and roles still matter

For fans of 1990s cinema, the cast of From Dusk Till Dawn represents a pivotal moment: George Clooney transitioning from TV to film stardom, Salma Hayek cementing her status as a leading lady, and Harvey Keitel delivering a dramatic foil. The ages of the actors – Clooney 35, Hayek 29, Lewis 23 – highlight how young the ensemble was. For today’s streaming viewer deciding between old classics, the specific ages and filming locations add a layer of context: the movie was shot on a modest $19 million budget by a director just 28 years old. The choice is clear: either watch the original and appreciate the raw energy of a cast at the start of their fame, or skip it and miss a cultural bedrock of vampire cinema. The implication: Clooney and Hayek both used this film to vault themselves into major film careers.

For a more comprehensive look at the actors and their roles, check out this detailed cast overview of the film’s ensemble.

Frequently asked questions