Cruz, Penélope (1974-…), is a glamorous Spanish motion-picture actress who became a star in both Spanish-language and English-language movies. In 2009, Cruz became the first Spanish woman to receive an Academy Award for acting when she won as best supporting actress for her performance in the romantic comedy Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008), directed by Woody Allen.
Penélope Cruz Sánchez was born in Madrid, Spain, on April 28, 1974. She studied ballet as a teenager before turning to acting in 1992. That year, Cruz made her film debut, starring in the Spanish films Jamón, Jamón and Belle Epoque. She won praise for her performance in the Spanish thriller Open Your Eyes (1997). Cruz made her English-language debut in 1998 in the modern Western The Hi-Lo Country. Cruz had an international hit starring as a pregnant nun in the Spanish comedy-drama All About My Mother (1999), directed by Pedro Almodóvar. She also appeared in Almodóvar’s films Volver (2006), Broken Embraces (2009), I’m So Excited (2013), Pain and Glory (2019), and Parallel Mothers (2021).
Cruz’s other films include All the Pretty Horses (2000); Captain Corelli’s Mandolin and Vanilla Sky (both 2001); Gothika (2003); Head in the Clouds (2004); Sahara (2005); The Good Night (2007); Elegy (2008); Nine (2009); Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011); To Rome with Love and Twice Born (both 2012); The Counselor (2013); Ma ma (2015); and Official Competition (2021). In 2010, Cruz married the Spanish motion-picture actor Javier Bardem.
