Dalila Bela is a Canadian-American actress renowned for her versatile performances in both live-action and animated projects.
Born on October 5, 2001, in Montreal, Quebec, she embodies a rich multicultural heritage, blending English, French, Brazilian, Panamanian, and Spanish ancestries—her father hails from Panama, while her mother is from Brazil.
This diverse background has not only shaped her worldview but also contributed to her fluency in English, Spanish, and French, a linguistic prowess that emerged early, as she began speaking full sentences by her first birthday.
Raised in a family deeply immersed in the performing arts, Bela’s path to stardom was almost predestined; by age five, she was already booking national commercials and competing in acting showcases, where she quickly earned accolades like Best Actor of the Year.
Her family’s relocation to Vancouver soon after opened doors to a burgeoning career in film and television, transforming her childhood passion into a professional journey.
Siblings
Dalila shares a close-knit bond with her two younger brothers, Bruce Salomon and Raphael Alejandro, both of whom have carved out their own niches in the entertainment industry as actors.
Bruce Salomon, the middle sibling, has appeared in various television roles, including guest spots that highlight his comedic timing and youthful energy, much like his sister’s early work.
Raphael Alejandro, the youngest, born on August 22, 2007, has made notable impressions in projects such as “Once Upon a Time,” where he portrayed Roland, and films like “Kindergarten Cop 2” and “Olympus,” showcasing a natural charisma that echoes the Bela family legacy.
Career
Bela’s career trajectory is a testament to her precocious talent and relentless drive, spanning commercials, short films, blockbuster franchises, and acclaimed television series over more than a decade.
Launching at age five with a national Canadian commercial, she swiftly transitioned to episodic television, debuting in 2009 with guest roles on hit shows like “Supernatural” and “Fringe,” where her poise belied her tender years.
By 2010, she earned her first feature credit in the thriller “The Stranger,” portraying a Russian-speaking girl opposite Steve Austin, a role that demanded linguistic versatility and emotional depth.
The following year marked a breakthrough with her turn as Taylor Pringle in “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules,” a comedic gem in the popular family franchise, which she reprised in “Dog Days” (2012), charming audiences with her spirited portrayal of a precocious classmate.
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Bela’s filmography diversified further with appearances in high-profile projects like Catherine Hardwicke’s “Red Riding Hood” (2011), the horror sequel “Grave Encounters 2” (2012), and the heartfelt short “Joanna Makes a Friend” (2011), alongside supporting roles in TV movies such as “Twist of Faith” (2013) and “A Fairly Odd Christmas” (2012).
Her television stardom solidified in 2014 with the lead role of Agent Olive in “Odd Squad,” the PBS Kids series that blended math education with spy adventure, running for two seasons and featuring her brothers as co-stars, which catapulted her to child actor prominence.
Venturing into voice work, Bela lent her voice to Sydney in the animated “Ready Jet Go!” (2016–2017), infusing the space-faring character with curiosity and wit.
From 2017 to 2019, she delivered a poignant performance as Diana Barry in Netflix’s “Anne with an E,” the modern adaptation of “Anne of Green Gables,” earning praise for capturing the character’s loyalty and vivacity amid themes of friendship and identity.
Other credits include guest spots on “The 100,” “Once Upon a Time,” and “The Tomorrow People,” as well as films like “The Adventure Club” (2017) with Billy Zane and the animated “Pil’s Adventures” (2021), where she voiced the titular Pil.
More recently, Bela has expanded into music, releasing singles like “Stay” (2023), “Wishbone,” “Rope Burn,” and “Girl in the Mirror” (2024), signaling a multifaceted evolution while continuing to select roles that challenge her range and depth.
Accolades
Bela’s journey began with early triumphs, including the Best Actor of the Year award at age six for her competition work, setting the stage for formal accolades.
In 2011, she secured a Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a DVD Film for “The Stranger,” celebrated for her nuanced depiction of a vulnerable child, and followed it with another win the same year for Best Performance in a Short Film (Young Actress Ten and Under) for “Joanna Makes a Friend,” where her lead role in the award-winning short earned a LEO Award nomination as well.
The “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” films brought further nods, with a 2012 Young Artist nomination for Supporting Young Actress in “Rodrick Rules” and a 2013 nomination for “Dog Days,” alongside a nod for her role in “A Fairly Odd Christmas.”
Bela’s breakout in “Odd Squad” yielded significant honors: a shared 2015 Joey Award for Best Young Ensemble in a TV Series with her co-stars, including her brothers; two 2015 Young Artist nominations—one for Leading Young Actress and another for Outstanding Young Ensemble; and a 2016 Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Performance in a Children’s or Youth Program.
That same year, she received an Imagen Foundation Award nomination for her work in the series.
Earlier, a 2010 Young Artist nomination for “Supernatural” and a 2011 nod for “Kid’s Court” underscored her guest-star prowess, while a 2013 nomination for Best Performance in a TV Movie came from “Twist of Faith.”
In 2014, she clinched the Best Actress award at the Diabolique International Film Festival for her harrowing portrayal of a blind girl in the short “Dead Hearts,” a role that drew international acclaim for its emotional intensity.
A 2016 Joey Award nomination rounded out her “Odd Squad” chapter.
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