Stunning Spanish Sorceress

Background:

Penelope Cruz can cast a spell on you without trying. She's a natural seductive beauty who sticks to her beliefs while maintaining ethical scruples, and... she acts with passion.
She's been romantically linked to some of the hottest stars of Hollywood and has paid her dues, climbing that acting start-up ladder to the highest rung, that of leading lady.

"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."

Audiences take Penelope seriously and love her. Her penetrating eyes seems to whisper in your ear...

"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."-Penelope Cruz

Spanish Enchantress

Childhood and Family:

Spanish enchantress Penelope Cruz Sanches was born on April 28, 1974 in Madrid, Spain to parents Eduardo (auto mechanic, retailer) and Encarna (hairdresser, now looks after Penelope's business affairs). Her sister, Monica (born in 1977), is a professional flamenco dancer and Spanish actor. Penelope's younger brother, Eduardo Jr, was born in 1985.

Penelope Cruz trained in classical ballet for nine years at the National Conservatory in Madrid, Spain and later spent four years under the direction of Cristina Rota (theatrical) and three years learning Spanish ballet from Ángela Garrido.

Although Penelope does not hold a high school diploma, her dance and theatre training remains impressive.

Madonna of Madrid

Career:

Sometimes nicknamed the Madonna of Madrid, Penelope Cruz's acting career begins with Spanish TV shows, music videos, and film. Her foundation of roles in: Jamón, jamón (1992), Belle epoque (1992), El Laberinto griego (1993), La Ribelle (1993), Per amore, solo per amore (1993), Alegre ma non troppo (1994), and much more, begins in the Spanish genre, then moves to included work such as Framed (1992), The Man with Rain in His Shoes (1998), Talk of Angels (1998), The Hi-Lo Country (1998), and Woman on Top (2000). After filming the Hi-Lo Country, Penelope donated her entire salary to Mother Teresa's children's sanctuary in Calcutta. Penelope also became a vegetarian after her role as Matt Damon's love interest, Alejandra de la Rocha, in All the Pretty Horses (2000).

Penelope was hailed the "Leading Lady" of Spanish cinema due to her hard work and dedication, raking in several films a year, and several prestigious awards. Her popularity also grew internationally.

In 2001 she starred with Johnny Depp in the well-received movie Blow. Captain Corelli's Mandolin (2001) found her standing beside leading man Nicolas Cage. Other films include Sin noticias de Dios (2001), and Vanilla Sky (2001) starring Tom Cruise, whom she dated for several years.

Masked and Anonymous (2003), found her starring with Bob Dylan and Jeff Bridges while Fanfan la tulipe (2003) placed her beside swashbuckling Vincent Perez. Penelope played Chloe Sava in Gothika (2003), Italia in Non ti muovere (2004), Nina in Noel (2004), and Mia in Head in the Clouds (2004).

She is cast to star alongside Matthew McConaughey in Sahara (2005), Ben Chaplin in Chromophobia (2005), and Salma Hayek in Bandidas (2005).

Awards:

• Imagen Foundation Awards: Creative Achievement Award (2003)
• Fotogramas de Plata: Best Movie Actress (1999)
• Goya Awards: Best Lead Actress, for LA NIÑA DE TUS OJOS (1999)
• Spanish Actors Union: Film - Lead Performance (1999)
• Ondas Awards: Best Acting (1993)
• Spanish Actors Union: Film - Supporting Performance (1993)