- While the lunatic was struggling with Saldana on her front lawn, a bottled-water deliveryman was driving by. He rushed to Saldana's assistance, subdued the lunatic, and summoned medical help for her. When the media reported that the young deliveryman had hoped to pass the exam for deputy sheriff and join the department, the sheriff of Los Angeles County ordered that he be given the written exam immediately and placed in the training academy. He graduated from the academy and became a deputy sheriff.
- Founded the organization Victims for Victims after surviving a near-fatal knife attack by a deranged admirer.
- Shortly after her appearance in Raging Bull (1980), a lunatic religious fanatic who claimed to have orders from higher powers, attacked and attempted to murder her. After a long, hard recovery, she devoted her life to helping other women who suffered similar traumas.
- Of Puerto Rican and Italian descent.
- Guest-starred on a 1987 episode, Any Second Now (1987), of NBC's police drama Hunter (1984), playing the part of an attack victim. The episode's storyline was loosely based on the events surrounding her real-life near-fatal attack 5 years earlier.
- Was considered for the hosting job on America's Most Wanted: America Fights Back (1988).
- Won major attention in 1980 as Joe Pesci's wife in Raging Bull (1980).
- Was originally set for a supporting role in Tootsie (1982), but after being wounded during the stalking incident, she lost the role to newcomer Geena Davis.
- Has one child by her husband Phil Peters, daughter Tianna Saldana Peters.
- Began training as a teen with well-known acting guru Sanford Meisner.
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