Penélope Cruz is one of the most versatile actresses alive today. Her Spanish beauty, charisma and generosity make her a coveted actress in cinema worldwide and a perfect global ambassador for L'Oréal Paris.
HER CAREER
Born in Madrid, Pénelope Cruz began her career as a dancer and quickly moved into acting. Now an Academy Award nominee, she has proven to be one of the most versatile young actresses by playing a variety of compelling characters and recently becoming the first Spanish actress to be nominated for an Academy Award. Pénelope starred in her first English-language film, The 'Hi-Lo Country' in 1998. A year later, she won the best actress award at the Goya Awards given by the Spanish Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences for her role in Fernando Trueba’s 'The Girl of Your Dreams'.
Confirming her status as Spain’s hottest international actress, Cruz landed the coveted role opposite Matt Damon in the film adaptation of 'All the Pretty Horses', directed by Billy Bob Thornton. 'Next', she portrayed Isabella in 'Woman on Top' for Fox Searchlight. Other featured credits include her starring role in the thriller 'Open Your Eyes', 'Twice Upon a Yesterday', Pedro Almodóvar’s 'Live Flesh' and 'Talk of Angels'. Pénelope also starred opposite Tom Cruise in the thriller 'Vanilla Sky', and then tackled 'Masked & Anonymous' and 'Fanfan la Tulipe', which opened the 2003 Cannes Film Festival. She received rave reviews for her eagerly awaited performance in 'Don’t Move' (Non ti Muovere) in which she was honoured with a David di Donatello Award (Italian Oscar) and European Film Award for best actress.
In 2006 Penelope starred in 'Volver', which again teamed her with director and friend Pedro Almodóvar. Critically acclaimed for her role as Raimunda, she won as best actress at the European Film Awards, the Goya Awards, and the Cannes Film Festival, and received both Golden Globe and Oscar nominations. Penelope’s next film, 'The Good Night', written and directed by Jake Paltrow, premiered in January 2007 at Sundance. In 2007 she also starred opposite Adrien Brody in 'Manolete'.
In 2009 Cruz won her first Oscar for 'Best Supporting Actress' for her role in the 2008 film 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona' directed by Woody Alllen. This was a career highlight for Penélope having won previously a best actress ensemble award at the Cannes Film Festival as well as being nominated for an Academy Award, Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild Award, and BAFTA Award. Pénelope's passionate dedication and commitment to acting have allowed her to become one of the most successful actresses in Hollywood today. Her strength of character emanates not only from the diverse roles she plays but from her attitude toward life. Her exquisite natural beauty and personal allure make it difficult for people to take their eyes off her. L’Oréal Paris is honoured to have one of the most talented and vivacious young actresses as a spokesperson.
FILMOGRAPHY
1992 - JAMÓN JAMÓN by José Juan Bigas Luna
1993 - BELLE ÉPOQUE by Fernando Trueba
1997 – LIVE FLESH by Pedro Almodóvar
1998 – OPEN YOUR EYES by Alejandro Amenábar
1998 – THE HI-LO COUNTRY by Stephen Frears
1998 - NINA DE TUX OJOS, LA by Fernando Trueba
1999 – TOUT SUR MA MÈRE by Pedro Almodóvar
2000 – ALL THE PRETTY HORSES by Billy Bob Thornton
2001 - BLOW by Ted Demme
2001 - CAPTAIN CORRELLI's MANDOLIN by John Madden
2001 - VANILLA SKY by Cameron Crowe
2002 - DON’T TEMPT ME by Augustín Díaz Yanes
2003 - GOTHIKA by Mathieu Kassovitz
2003 - FANFAN LA TULIPE by Gérard Krawczyk
2004 – DON'T MOVE by Sergio Castellitto
2005 - SAHARA by Breck Eisner
2006 - VOLVER by Pedro Almodóvar
2006 - MANOLETE by Menno Meyjes
2007 – THE WOODY ALLEN SPANISH PROJECT by Woody Allen
2007 - ELEGY by Isabel Coixet
2008 - VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA by Woody Allen
TELEVISION
1992 - FRAMED by Timothy Dalton
1992 - SOFTLY FROM PARIS by Jaime Chavarri