Penélope Cruz is a Spanish actress and model born on April 28, 1974. She’s been in a lot of movies, both in Spanish and English, and she’s won some big awards for her acting. You might know her from films like “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” and “Volver.”
She started acting when she was just a teenager and she’s been in the spotlight ever since. One of her big breaks was in a movie called “Jamón Jamón” when she was only 17. Since then she’s worked with some top directors like Pedro Almodóvar.
One of her most famous roles was in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” where she played alongside Scarlett Johansson and Javier Bardem. For that role, she won an Academy Award. She’s been nominated for Oscars multiple times for her roles in other movies like “Volver” and “Parallel Mothers.”
Apart from acting Penélope Cruz is also known for her marriage to fellow actor Javier Bardem. She’s done some modeling for brands like Mango and L’Oréal and she even designs clothes for Mango with her sister Mónica.
But it’s not all about fame and glamour for Cruz. She’s also involved in charity work. She’s volunteered in places like Uganda and India and she even worked with Mother Teresa for a week. She donated her salary from one of her movies to help Mother Teresa’s mission.
In Hollywood, she’s made history as the only Spanish actress to win an Academy Award and get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
| Full Name | Penélope Cruz Sánchez |
| Date of Birth | April 28, 1974 |
| Place of Birth | Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain |
| Occupation | Actress, Model |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
| Spouse | Javier Bardem (m. 2010) |
| Children | Leo And Luna |
| Net Worth | $85 Million |
Penélope Cruz’s Early life and Education
Penélope Cruz was born on April 28, 1974, in a town called Alcobendas in Spain. Her mom Encarna Sánchez worked as a hairdresser and manager while her dad Eduardo Cruz was a mechanic and store owner. She grew up with her sister Mónica, who’s also an actress, and her brother Eduardo who’s a singer. Cruz also has a half-sister named Salma. They were raised in the Catholic faith.
She spent a lot of time at her grandma’s place when she was a kid and had a pretty happy childhood. Cruz loved playing pretend with her friends and often felt like she was acting even then.
Early on, she was all about dance. For nine years, she studied ballet at Spain’s National Conservatory. Then she spent three years doing Spanish ballet and four years studying theater. Cruz credits ballet with teaching her discipline, which came in handy later for her acting career. When she was around ten or eleven, her dad got a Betamax machine, which was a big thing in her neighborhood back then.
Her interest in acting sparked after watching a movie called “Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!” by Pedro Almodóvar. She tried getting an agent but got rejected a bunch of times for being too young. Despite that, she kept trying until she finally got an audition at fifteen. Her agent, Katrina Bayonas saw something special in her right away, even though she was new to the scene. Sadly, her dad passed away from a heart attack at the age of sixty-two in 2015.
Career
Penélope Cruz began her acting career in 1989 at just 15 years old, appearing in a music video for the Spanish pop group Mecano’s song “La Fuerza del Destino”. She then hosted a talk show called “La Quinta Marcha” on Spanish TV, aimed at teenagers. In 1991, she appeared in an erotic French TV series and made her film debut in “Jamón, jamón”, where she played Silvia, a young woman facing family disapproval. Her role included topless scenes, which brought her fame as a sex symbol.
Throughout the early 1990s, Penélope Cruz acted in various Spanish and Italian films before moving to New York at age 20 to study ballet and English. In 1997, she starred in several notable films including Pedro Almodóvar’s “Live Flesh” and “Open Your Eyes”, which later inspired the American remake “Vanilla Sky”.
From 1998 to 2000, Penélope Cruz transitioned to American cinema, appearing in films like “The Hi-Lo Country” and “All the Pretty Horses”. Her performances received mixed reviews, but she garnered nominations for awards like the Goya Award and ALMA Award.
Cruz’s versatility and talent were further recognized in films such as “The Girl of Your Dreams” and “All About My Mother”. Her role in “Woman on Top” as a chef with motion sickness showcased her charm and acting prowess, earning positive feedback from critics.
In 2000, Penélope Cruz starred in “Woman on Top” as Isabelle, a chef with motion sickness. Critics praised her and her co-star’s performances. She also appeared in “All the Pretty Horses” as Alejandra, Matt Damon‘s love interest. Some critics loved their acting, while others weren’t as impressed.
In 2001, Penélope Cruz had a breakthrough year with roles in several notable films. She starred alongside Tom Cruise in “Vanilla Sky,” where she played Sofia Serrano, earning praise for her enchanting screen presence despite mixed reviews for the film itself. Cruz also appeared in “Blow,” portraying Mirtha Jung, the wife of Johnny Depp‘s character, which received mixed feedback but performed well at the box office.
That year, she was also in “Don’t Tempt Me” as Carmen Ramos, a film that didn’t fare well critically. Cruz’s role as Pelagia in “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin” also faced criticism despite moderate financial success.
In the following years, Cruz had diverse roles, including a part in “Waking Up in Reno,” which wasn’t well-received, and a supporting role in the horror film “Gothika.” Her performance in “Fanfan la Tulipe” was criticized, contrasting with her acclaimed performance in “Don’t Move.”
Penélope Cruz continued her career with roles in films like “Noel,” “Head in the Clouds,” and “Don’t Move,” each receiving varied reviews. She teamed up with Salma Hayek in “Bandidas” and gained significant acclaim for her role in Pedro Almodóvar’s “Volver,” winning several awards and nominations, including her first Academy Award nomination.
In 2007, Cruz starred in “Manolete,” which didn’t resonate well with critics, and also appeared in “The Good Night,” playing dual roles. Her standout performances in “Elegy” and Woody Allen’s “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” earned her critical acclaim and her first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Cruz’s later films included “G-Force,” a commercial success, and roles in “Broken Embraces” and “Nine,” for which she received multiple award nominations for her performances.
In 2010, Penélope Cruz had a cameo in “Sex and the City 2,” playing a banker. Despite its box-office success, the comedy faced criticism. Cruz’s most notable role came in 2011 with “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” where she played Angelica, a former lover of Jack Sparrow. She trained for two months in fitness and fencing for the role. When Cruz discovered she was pregnant during filming, her sister Mónica Cruz doubled for her in some scenes. This film grossed over $1.046 billion worldwide. Before its release, Cruz received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, making her the first Spanish actress to receive this honor.
In 2012, Penélope Cruz starred in a Nintendo commercial for “New Super Mario Bros. 2” and acted in Woody Allen’s “To Rome with Love” as a street-smart prostitute. Critics praised her performance, comparing her to Italian icons like Anna Magnani and Sophia Loren. That year, she also worked with Sergio Castellitto in “Twice Born,” playing an infertile woman revisiting her past in Sarajevo. Although the film received mixed reviews, Cruz’s performance was well-regarded.
In 2013, Cruz was featured in Ridley Scott’s “The Counselor” as Laura, the innocent girlfriend in a crime thriller. Despite the film’s mixed reviews, it performed moderately well internationally. She also appeared in Pedro Almodóvar’s comedy “I’m So Excited,” which grossed over $11 million worldwide.
In 2015, Penélope Cruz co-produced and starred in the Spanish drama “Ma Ma,” playing a mother diagnosed with breast cancer. Her portrayal was praised, earning her an eighth Goya nomination despite the film’s mixed reviews.
In 2016, Cruz starred in the comedy “Zoolander 2” as a secret Interpol agent. The film received negative reviews, though Cruz was one of the first actors cast. She also appeared in the spy comedy “Grimsby” and reunited with Fernando Trueba for “The Queen of Spain,” which earned her another Goya nomination despite lukewarm reviews.
In 2017, Cruz starred in “Loving Pablo,” portraying journalist Virginia Vallejo opposite her husband Javier Bardem as Pablo Escobar. The film received mixed reviews, but Cruz’s performance was praised. She also appeared in Kenneth Branagh’s “Murder on the Orient Express” and received positive reviews for her role in the ensemble cast.
In 2018, Cruz made her TV debut in “The Assassination of Gianni Versace,” earning an Emmy nomination. She also starred in “Everybody Knows,” which opened the Cannes Film Festival to positive reviews.
In 2021, Penélope Cruz starred in “Official Competition” and reunited with Pedro Almodóvar for “Parallel Mothers.” Her performance in the latter won her the Volpi Cup for Best Actress and her second Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Critics praised her work, calling it one of her best performances.
In 2022, Cruz starred in the action film “The 355” and appeared in “L’immensità” and “On the Fringe,” which she also produced. She received praise for her performance in “L’immensità.”
Looking ahead, Cruz is set to star in the biopic “Ferrari” as Laura, the wife of Enzo Ferrari, alongside Adam Driver and Shailene Woodley.
In 2023, Penélope Cruz became a brand ambassador for Emirates and Geox, further solidifying her status as a global icon.
Net Worth
Penélope Cruz has an estimated net worth of $85 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. The main source of Penélope Cruz’s net worth primarily comes from her successful career as an actress. She has starred in many high-grossing films in both Hollywood and international cinema, earning significant salaries and bonuses for her roles.
Additionally, Cruz has endorsement deals with major brands like L’Oréal, which contribute to her income. She also benefits from her work as a producer and has investments in real estate. Her diverse talents and business ventures have helped her build and maintain substantial wealth.
Personal life
Penélope Cruz the famous actress is married to another actor Javier Bardem who is from Spain. They first acted together in a movie called “Jamón Jamón” in 1992, which was a big moment in her career. They also starred in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” in 2008. Later on, they appeared together in “The Counselor” in 2013 and “Everybody Knows” in 2018. They started dating in 2007 and got married in July 2010 in a small ceremony in the Bahamas. They have two kids: a son named Leo born in 2011 in Los Angeles and a daughter named Luna born in 2013 in Madrid. After having kids, Cruz became a supporter of breastfeeding in public.
Before Bardem, Penélope Cruz was in a relationship with Tom Cruise for three years after they acted together in “Vanilla Sky” in 2001. However, they broke up in January 2004. In 2003, Cruz had to deal with a magazine called New Idea which published false things about her relationship with Cruise. She sued them, and they had to apologize, pay her legal fees, and donate money to a charity she chose.
Her friends call her Pe. Besides acting, Penélope Cruz owns a clothing store in Madrid and has also worked on designing jewelry and handbags with her sister for a company in Japan.
In 2009, she supported a director named Roman Polanski who was facing legal trouble related to a case from 1977. She signed a petition arguing that arresting filmmakers like Polanski could harm the tradition of film festivals. Cruz’s agent is Hylda Queally, who also represents Cate Blanchett and Kate Winslet.
Philanthropy
Penélope Cruz has given money and time to help people in need. She’s done this in different countries like Nepal, Uganda, and India. In India, she worked with Mother Teresa at a clinic for people with leprosy. This experience inspired her to start a foundation for homeless girls in India. She even sponsors two young women there. When she made money from her first Hollywood movie, she gave it all to Mother Teresa’s mission.
In the early 2000s, she went to Nepal to take pictures of Tibetan children. These photos were shown in an exhibition attended by the Dalai Lama. She also took pictures of young people at the Pacific Lodge Boys’ Home, many of whom had been in gangs or struggled with addiction.
She was also active in supporting the fight against AIDS. When Penélope Cruz was pregnant, she helped light up the Empire State Building in New York City with red lights on International AIDS Day in 2010. This was part of a campaign to make people aware of AIDS and try to stop it from spreading.
In 2012 and 2018, she posed for ads that were against using fur in fashion, supporting PETA’s campaign.
Awards
Penélope Cruz is a big name in the movie world. Here are some of her top achievements:
At the 79th Academy Awards in 2006, she was nominated for Best Actress for her role in “Volver.”
She won the Best Supporting Actress award at the 81st Academy Awards in 2008 for her part in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.”
In 2009, at the 82nd Academy Awards, she was nominated again for Best Supporting Actress for “Nine.”
Recently, at the 94th Academy Awards in 2021, she was nominated for Best Actress for “Parallel Mothers.”
Not just that, she’s also been recognized with two British Academy Film Award nominations, four Golden Globe Award nominations, a Primetime Emmy Award nomination, five Screen Actors Guild Award nominations, and fourteen Goya Award nominations.
Plus, she won the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress in 2006 for Volver and the Venice International Film Festival’s Volpi Cup for Best Actress in 2021 for Parallel Mothers.
Public image
In 2006, Penélope Cruz started working with a French cosmetics company called L’Oréal. She helps promote their hair dye and mascara, and they pay her $2 million every year. She’s also been in ads for Mango and had a deal with Ralph Lauren in 2001. Cruz and her sister even designed clothes for Mango in 2007, inspired by a famous actress, and summers in a fancy place called St Tropez.
People like Penélope Cruz’s looks. She’s been on lists like Maxim’s “Hot 100” and Empire magazine’s “100 Sexiest Movie Stars.” Askmen.com has put her on their “Most Desirable Women” list multiple times. She became the face of a fragrance by Lancôme in 2010, taking over from Kate Winslet. They picked her along with Julia Roberts and Kate Winslet as their top models. The photos for the campaign were taken in Paris.
In 2010, she edited a French fashion magazine and chose bigger models for a photo shoot. A famous director even called her his muse. She was on the cover of a magazine in 2010 but only agreed to do it if they didn’t show her pregnant belly. A survey in 2011 said people wanted bodies like hers. Men’s Health and Esquire have both put her on lists of the hottest women.
