Penelope Cruz

Penelope Cruz (born April 28, 1974) is a Spanish actress and model. She has received numerous accolades throughout her career, including an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards, three Goya awards (Spain’s highest film award), two European Film Awards, the Best Actress Award at Cannes Film Festival in 2019 for her role in Pain and Glory and four Golden Globe nominations.

Cruz was born in Alcobendas, Madrid to Encarna Sánchez—a hairdresser—and Eduardo Cruz—an auto mechanic. At age 16 she signed with an agent who got her castings for TV commercials which led to her first acting job on the 1992 Spanish television series El abuelo y yo (Grandpa and Me). In 1993 she made her feature film debut as Ana in Jamón Jamón starring opposite Javier Bardem; their relationship became public during filming leading them to become one of Spain’s most famous couples until 2001 when they separated after more than 3 years together.

Throughout the 2000s Penélope acted alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest names such as Johnny Depp (Blow) Nicole Kidman & Cameron Diaz(Vanilla Sky); Tom Cruise (Mission Impossible III); Matthew McConaughey & Kate Hudson (Sahara); Matt Damon & Scarlett Johansson(The Good Shepherd) ; Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie among others appearing on films like Nine , Sex And The City 2 or Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides . But it wasn’t until 2006 that she got international recognition playing Magda -Vicky Cristina Barcelona- directed by Woody Allen winning both a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture and an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress becoming only the third Spanish actress ever nominated following Mercedes Ruehl who won same category back in 1991 with “The Fisher King”. Since then Penélope continues to be recognized worldwide not only because of performances but also due being considered one of modern cinema icons .

In addition to acting work ,she has appeared regularly on lists compiled by Forbes magazine recognising powerful celebrities from 2010 onwards thanks mainly due philanthropic works through UNICEF where since 2007 serve ambassador helping children all around world mostly focusing African countries .

Outside professional career ,Penélope married actor Javier Bardem 2008 having had son Leo before marrying him plus daughter Luna later that year making family complete finally about 10 years after initially meet each other while shooting “Jamón jamón ” movie mentioned previously.