Penélope Cruz Sánchez , better known as Penélope Cruz, is a Spanish actress. She gathered critical acclaim as a young actress for films such as Jamón, Jamón, La Niña de tus ojos, and Belle époque. She has also starred in several American films such as Blow, Vanilla Sky, and Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
"The most difficult thing in the world is to start a career known only for your looks, and then to try to become a serious actress. No one will take you seriously once you are known as the pretty woman."
"The most important lesson I`ve learned in this business is how to say no. I have said no to a lot of temptations, and I am glad I did."
"There`s so much more I want to do. I refuse to get to 50 and wait at home for the phone to ring. In Spain, actresses work until they are old. That`s my plan."
"I`m strong and opinionated. Those qualities brought me a lot of problems since I was a little girl in school, saying `I don`t agree` and fighting with the children. It`s part of my curiosity for life."
"I have stepped off the relationship scene to come to terms with myself. I have spent most of my adult life being `someone`s girlfriend`, and now I am happy being single"
"I am amazed about how everyone wants to know about my love life. They whisper to me, `Tell me the truth? Is it true?` Who cares? Because we have this job, we are to say to everybody what we do, or with whom we sleep? It`s a bit absurd, but that`s why ever..."
- Penelope Cruz
As a toddler, she was already a compulsive performer, re-enacting TV commercials for her family's amusement. Initially, Cruz decided to focus on dance. After studying classical ballet for nine years at Spain's National Conservatory, she continued her training under a series of prominent dancers. She received three years of Spanish Ballet training with Ángela Garrido. She also had jazz dance training with Raúl Caballero and studied at Cristina Rota (mother of Juan Diego Botto) school in Madrid. At 15, however, she followed another calling after beating more than 300 other girls at a talent agency audition.
Penelope Cruz’s status as a bona fide sex symbol has been firmly in place for well over a decade now, as the actress established herself early on as the textbook definition of a sultry Spaniard. Her willingness to doff her top has certainly won her a legion of male fans across the globe, though there’s little doubt it’s her genuine abilities as an actress that’s ensured the endurance of her career.
It’s no surprise to note, then, that Penelope Cruz has been a fixture on this list for the last five years running, with her peak coming in 2006 at No. 32. It’s just as clear that, no matter what her future holds, Penelope Cruz has earned a permanent place in our hearts as one of Hollywood’s most indelible, exotic beauties.
Cruz first achieved fame when she appeared in La fuerza del destino for the Spanish synthpop group Mecano. She later started a relationship with Nacho Cano, a member of the group.A TV presenter for the teen-oriented program La Quinta Marcha, she also had early exposure in Série Rose, an erotic French TV serial. In one episode she played the role of a blind prostitute and in another played a young noblewoman pretending to be a young nobleman in a comedy of errors. She also directed Nacho Cano's video of "El waltz de los locos", in 1994.
Cruz's first major films were Jamón, jamón and Belle Époque, a film which won an Academy Award for Foreign Language Film. In 1997, she starred as Sofía Pangia, alongside Eduardo Noriega in Abre los ojos, directed by Alejandro Amenábar, while in 1999 she appeared in Pedro Almodóvar's Todo sobre mi madre (All About My Mother), which also won an Academy Award for Foreign Language Film. In 2000 she appeared with Matt Damon in All the Pretty Horses.
For Cruz, the early 2000s were a period of mediocre reviews and mixed commercial success. In late 2001, she appeared in the film Vanilla Sky, the Hollywood remake of Abre los ojos. Returning to Europe, in 2004, Cruz learned Italian to star in the film Don't Move. She earned critical praise for her role and earned the coveted David di Donatello award, the Italian equivalent to the Oscar, for her portrayal. Cruz speaks Castellano, French, English, and Italian.
In 2006, she co-starred with her best friend, Salma Hayek, in the film Bandidas. That same year, Cruz received highly favourable reviews for her performance in Pedro Almodóvar's Volver. She shared a Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival with five of her co-stars, and was nominated for the Golden Globe, the Screen Actors Guild Award, the BAFTA Award, and the Academy Award for Best Actress in a leading role. The latter of these nominations made her the first Spanish actress to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress.
In May 2007, it was announced that Penélope and her sister Mónica would be designing a 25-piece collection for the Barcelona-based fashion chain, Mango. On July 7, 2007, Cruz presented at Live Earth. In late 2007, she starred in the Jaume de Laiguana-directed video for her brother's first single, named "Cosas que contar", along with her friend Mía Maestro and her sister Mónica. Cruz had previously shown a keen interest in
fashion and is a model for L'Oreal and its "Telescopic" mascara.
In 2008, Cruz appeared with Sir Ben Kingsley in fellow Spaniard Isabel Coixet's film Elegy (film), earning her critical praise for an English-speaking role. The film was based on the Philip Roth story The Dying Animal. She was nominated for a Golden Satellite award for her performance.
Cruz claims to be a vegetarian since 2000, though this fact is disputed. She speaks four languages: Spanish, Italian, French and English. Cruz has also donated a considerable amount of money and time to charity. In 1997 she volunteered in Uganda for two months.
penelope cruz wins an oscar
At the 2009 Academy Awards, Penelope Cruz took home her first Oscar for her portrayal of an eccentric and tempestuous artist in Woody Allen's film Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Cruz delivered part of her acceptance speech in Spanish, saying the award was in part dedicated to the people of Spain, her home country.
penelope cruz is named no. 26 in askmen.com's 2008 top 99
Penelope Cruz has had a long and storied career -- she has, after all, appeared in almost 50 movies and television shows -- proving that she’s more than just another pretty face. There’s little doubt that she’s earned a place for herself within the pantheon of legendary Spanish imports. This is exactly why she earned a No. 26 place on our Top 99 list of 2008.
Other awards and nominations
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards
2000 Nominated Blockbuster Entertainment Award Favorite Actress - Drama/Romance for: All the Pretty Horses (2000)
Imagen Foundation Awards
2003 Creative Achievement Award
MTV Movie Awards
2001 Nominated MTV Movie Award Breakthrough Female Performance for: Blow (2001)
NAACP Image Awards
2006 Nominated NAACP Image Award Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for: Volver (2006)
Ondas Awards
1992 Won Ondas Film Award Best Acting (Mejor Interpretación) tied with Javier Bardem (no award category given officially).
Peñíscola Comedy Film Festival
1994 Won Best Actress for: Todo es mentira (1994)
Penelope Cruz Filmography
2006: Volver
2005: Bandidas
2005: Chromophobia
2005: Sahara
2004: Don't Move
2004: Noel
2004: Head in the Clouds
2003: Gothika
2003: Fanfan la Tulipe
2003: Masked and Anonymous
2001: Don't Tempt Me
2001: Waking Up in Reno
2001: Captain Corelli's Mandolin
2001: Vanilla Sky
2001: Blow
2000: All the Pretty Horses
2000: Woman on Top
1999: Volaverunt
1999: All About My Mother
1998: La Niña de Tus Ojos
1998: Talk of Angels
1998: The Hi-Lo Country
1998: Don Juan
1998: Twice Upon a Yesterday
1997: Open Your Eyes
1997: Live Flesh
1996: La Celestina
1996: El Efecto Mar
iposa
1996: Love Can Seriously Damage Your Health
1995: Allegro Ma Non Troppo
1994: Todo es Mentira
1993: La Ribelle
1993: Per Amore, Solo Per Amore
1992: Jamón Jamón
1992: Belle Epoque
Height 5' 4" (163 cm)
Eye Color Brown - Dark
Hair Color Black
BirthplaceMadrid, Spain
Star Sign Taurus
Nationality Spanish
Occupation Actress
Category Spanish Actress
"The most important lesson I`ve learned in this business is how to say no. I have said no to a lot of temptations, and I am glad I did."
"There`s so much more I want to do. I refuse to get to 50 and wait at home for the phone to ring. In Spain, actresses work until they are old. That`s my plan."
"I`m strong and opinionated. Those qualities brought me a lot of problems since I was a little girl in school, saying `I don`t agree` and fighting with the children. It`s part of my curiosity for life.""I have stepped off the relationship scene to come to terms with myself. I have spent most of my adult life being `someone`s girlfriend`, and now I am happy being single"
"I am amazed about how everyone wants to know about my love life. They whisper to me, `Tell me the truth? Is it true?` Who cares? Because we have this job, we are to say to everybody what we do, or with whom we sleep? It`s a bit absurd, but that`s why ever..."
- Penelope Cruz
As a toddler, she was already a compulsive performer, re-enacting TV commercials for her family's amusement. Initially, Cruz decided to focus on dance. After studying classical ballet for nine years at Spain's National Conservatory, she continued her training under a series of prominent dancers. She received three years of Spanish Ballet training with Ángela Garrido. She also had jazz dance training with Raúl Caballero and studied at Cristina Rota (mother of Juan Diego Botto) school in Madrid. At 15, however, she followed another calling after beating more than 300 other girls at a talent agency audition.
Penelope Cruz’s status as a bona fide sex symbol has been firmly in place for well over a decade now, as the actress established herself early on as the textbook definition of a sultry Spaniard. Her willingness to doff her top has certainly won her a legion of male fans across the globe, though there’s little doubt it’s her genuine abilities as an actress that’s ensured the endurance of her career.It’s no surprise to note, then, that Penelope Cruz has been a fixture on this list for the last five years running, with her peak coming in 2006 at No. 32. It’s just as clear that, no matter what her future holds, Penelope Cruz has earned a permanent place in our hearts as one of Hollywood’s most indelible, exotic beauties.
Cruz first achieved fame when she appeared in La fuerza del destino for the Spanish synthpop group Mecano. She later started a relationship with Nacho Cano, a member of the group.A TV presenter for the teen-oriented program La Quinta Marcha, she also had early exposure in Série Rose, an erotic French TV serial. In one episode she played the role of a blind prostitute and in another played a young noblewoman pretending to be a young nobleman in a comedy of errors. She also directed Nacho Cano's video of "El waltz de los locos", in 1994.
Cruz's first major films were Jamón, jamón and Belle Époque, a film which won an Academy Award for Foreign Language Film. In 1997, she starred as Sofía Pangia, alongside Eduardo Noriega in Abre los ojos, directed by Alejandro Amenábar, while in 1999 she appeared in Pedro Almodóvar's Todo sobre mi madre (All About My Mother), which also won an Academy Award for Foreign Language Film. In 2000 she appeared with Matt Damon in All the Pretty Horses.For Cruz, the early 2000s were a period of mediocre reviews and mixed commercial success. In late 2001, she appeared in the film Vanilla Sky, the Hollywood remake of Abre los ojos. Returning to Europe, in 2004, Cruz learned Italian to star in the film Don't Move. She earned critical praise for her role and earned the coveted David di Donatello award, the Italian equivalent to the Oscar, for her portrayal. Cruz speaks Castellano, French, English, and Italian.
In 2006, she co-starred with her best friend, Salma Hayek, in the film Bandidas. That same year, Cruz received highly favourable reviews for her performance in Pedro Almodóvar's Volver. She shared a Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival with five of her co-stars, and was nominated for the Golden Globe, the Screen Actors Guild Award, the BAFTA Award, and the Academy Award for Best Actress in a leading role. The latter of these nominations made her the first Spanish actress to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress.
In May 2007, it was announced that Penélope and her sister Mónica would be designing a 25-piece collection for the Barcelona-based fashion chain, Mango. On July 7, 2007, Cruz presented at Live Earth. In late 2007, she starred in the Jaume de Laiguana-directed video for her brother's first single, named "Cosas que contar", along with her friend Mía Maestro and her sister Mónica. Cruz had previously shown a keen interest in
fashion and is a model for L'Oreal and its "Telescopic" mascara.In 2008, Cruz appeared with Sir Ben Kingsley in fellow Spaniard Isabel Coixet's film Elegy (film), earning her critical praise for an English-speaking role. The film was based on the Philip Roth story The Dying Animal. She was nominated for a Golden Satellite award for her performance.
Cruz claims to be a vegetarian since 2000, though this fact is disputed. She speaks four languages: Spanish, Italian, French and English. Cruz has also donated a considerable amount of money and time to charity. In 1997 she volunteered in Uganda for two months.
penelope cruz wins an oscarAt the 2009 Academy Awards, Penelope Cruz took home her first Oscar for her portrayal of an eccentric and tempestuous artist in Woody Allen's film Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Cruz delivered part of her acceptance speech in Spanish, saying the award was in part dedicated to the people of Spain, her home country.
penelope cruz is named no. 26 in askmen.com's 2008 top 99
Penelope Cruz has had a long and storied career -- she has, after all, appeared in almost 50 movies and television shows -- proving that she’s more than just another pretty face. There’s little doubt that she’s earned a place for herself within the pantheon of legendary Spanish imports. This is exactly why she earned a No. 26 place on our Top 99 list of 2008.
Other awards and nominations
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards
2000 Nominated Blockbuster Entertainment Award Favorite Actress - Drama/Romance for: All the Pretty Horses (2000)
Imagen Foundation Awards
2003 Creative Achievement Award
MTV Movie Awards
2001 Nominated MTV Movie Award Breakthrough Female Performance for: Blow (2001)
NAACP Image Awards
2006 Nominated NAACP Image Award Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for: Volver (2006)
Ondas Awards1992 Won Ondas Film Award Best Acting (Mejor Interpretación) tied with Javier Bardem (no award category given officially).
Peñíscola Comedy Film Festival
1994 Won Best Actress for: Todo es mentira (1994)
Penelope Cruz Filmography
2006: Volver
2005: Bandidas
2005: Chromophobia
2005: Sahara
2004: Don't Move
2004: Noel
2004: Head in the Clouds
2003: Gothika
2003: Fanfan la Tulipe
2003: Masked and Anonymous
2001: Don't Tempt Me
2001: Waking Up in Reno
2001: Captain Corelli's Mandolin
2001: Vanilla Sky
2001: Blow
2000: All the Pretty Horses
2000: Woman on Top
1999: Volaverunt
1999: All About My Mother
1998: La Niña de Tus Ojos
1998: Talk of Angels
1998: The Hi-Lo Country
1998: Don Juan
1998: Twice Upon a Yesterday
1997: Open Your Eyes
1997: Live Flesh
1996: La Celestina
1996: El Efecto Mar
iposa1996: Love Can Seriously Damage Your Health
1995: Allegro Ma Non Troppo
1994: Todo es Mentira
1993: La Ribelle
1993: Per Amore, Solo Per Amore
1992: Jamón Jamón
1992: Belle Epoque
Height 5' 4" (163 cm)
Eye Color Brown - Dark
Hair Color Black
BirthplaceMadrid, Spain
Star Sign Taurus
Nationality Spanish
Occupation Actress
Category Spanish Actress
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