Penelope Cruz biography, age, Oscar, height, net worth, ethnicity, husband, kids 2025

Biography of Penelope Cruz

In 2011, Penelope Cruz received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Spanish actress is considered one of the most beautiful women in the world. But Penelope has earned love and recognition not just for her looks, but also for her exceptional dramatic talent and ability to bring a wide range of characters to life on screen.

Childhood

Penélope Cruz was born on April 28, 1974. She grew up in a Madrid suburb. Her father Eduardo was an entrepreneur, and her mother Encarna owned a small hair salon. Penélope is the eldest of three children.

Even as a young child, she was known for being stubborn and restless. At the age of four, she started ballet and even then dreamed of becoming an actress. As a child, Penélope would entertain her family by mimicking TV commercials.

At 12, she saw a Lancôme Trésor perfume ad featuring the stunning Isabella Rossellini, shot by Peter Lindbergh. She begged her father for the perfume and was thrilled when she got that coveted bottle. Years later, she'd become a famous actress, and Lancôme would ask her to become the face of the brand.

Penélope Cruz in childhood with her sister

Beginning

At 14, Penelope was blown away by Pedro Almodóvar's film "Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!" She was so moved that she actually looked up the director's address in the phone book and showed up at his house. The director heard her out and told her he'd be happy to cast her in one of his films once she became an actress. That's when Penelope began hunting for agents and going to auditions. Soon she landed a spot in a Mecano music video, and in the early '90s, she started hosting a teen show, staying until 1996.

Penelope Cruz in the Mecano music video - La Fuerza del Destino

In 1991, the actress appeared in an episode of "Série Rose" and shocked her parents, who watched their seventeen-year-old daughter appear fully nude. Penelope's parents were devout Catholics. The actress never forgot the family scandal that followed—her mother even slapped her. But this didn't break Penelope's determination.

In 1992, she played Silvia in "Jamon Jamon," which also happened to be one of Javier Bardem's early films. Penelope appeared nude in several scenes, and after the film's release, the young actress was hailed as a sex symbol.

Penelope Cruz in the movie 'Jamon Jamon'

The next year, her performance in the melodrama "Belle Epoque" earned Penelope a nomination for the prestigious Spanish Goya Award.

In 1995, the Spanish actress set out to conquer America. She couldn't speak a word of English, but she was determined to succeed.

Early Success in Hollywood

After settling in Greenwich Village, the famous neighborhood beloved by artists and bohemians, she quickly made friends. She enrolled in Christina Roth's dance studio and also studied English and acting.

In 1997, she landed a role in a film by her idol Almodóvar. Penelope once again took the initiative, telling him she'd become an actress. The director laughed at the eccentric young woman but invited her to audition. The thriller "Live Flesh," like all of the master's works, is complex and highly sensual, adapted from a novel by English author Ruth Rendell. The film earned rave reviews, the Goya Award, and numerous nominations, including for the BAFTAs.

The next film featuring Penelope was the poignant masterpiece "Open Your Eyes." In Alejandro Amenabar's film, she was joined by Fele Martinez and the romantic Eduardo Noriega, who played Cesar.

By the early 2000s, she'd appeared in several films but only gained recognition as a serious dramatic actress after the 1999 release of "All About My Mother." The Pedro Almodóvar film also starred Marisa Paredes and Cecilia Roth. The movie won an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film of the 1999 season. This marked the moment when the beautiful Spaniard's star career truly took off.

A still from the film 'All About My Mother'

Penélope Cruz's Best Roles

In 2001, two films starring the brilliant Penélope Cruz hit theaters, instantly becoming box office successes and launching the actress into Hollywood stardom. Cameron Crowe's "Vanilla Sky" was a commercial hit, though film buffs still swear by the Spanish original "Open Your Eyes." In this haunting allegorical drama, Penélope played Sofia opposite Tom Cruise.

Penélope Cruz and Tom Cruise in 'Vanilla Sky'

In the crime drama "Blow," chronicling the rise and fall of a notorious drug smuggler, the Spanish actress delivered a powerhouse performance alongside Johnny Depp and Ray Liotta.

Between 2001 and 2007, Penélope—now a global cinema icon—appeared in over 10 films. Among them: the comedy thriller "Don't Tempt Me," where she starred alongside Victoria Abril, the horror drama "Gothika," the romantic drama "Head in the Clouds," the drama "Noel," and the adventure action movie "Sahara" with Matthew McConaughey.

Penelope Cruz dance from movie Noel, 2004

While the actress treasures all her work from this era, she speaks most passionately about Sergio Castellitto's "Don't Move," a film that holds a special place in her heart.

The dramatic film "Don't Move" was released in 2004. Audiences used to seeing the actress dazzle with her talent and stunning beauty were about to be shocked.

Penélope completely transformed into Italia, an aging, plain, and impoverished woman. She falls for a successful married man, played by the mesmerizing Sergio Castellitto. After a tragic accident indirectly caused by her lover, Italia dies—and only then does he realize he's lost the most important thing in his life.

Penélope Cruz breaks down her emotional performance in Don't Move

At the premiere, audiences wept openly, devastated by Penélope Cruz's tragic portrayal. Legendary critic Roger Ebert said he'd never watch the film again—he simply couldn't bear to relive what he'd witnessed.

Penélope Cruz and Sergio Castellitto in 'Don't Move'

The film won two Italian "David di Donatello" awards for best actress and actor, four "Silver Ribbons," and two "Goya" nominations.

In 2012, Penélope reunited with brilliant Italian filmmaker Sergio Castellitto. In the drama "Twice Born," she played Gemma, a woman recounting her life story and extraordinary love. The story unfolds against the brutal backdrop of the Serbian civil war. Emilie Hirsch and the legendary Jane Birkin also starred in the film.

Oscar

After serving as muse to directors Pedro Almodóvar and Sergio Castellitto, the stunning Penélope Cruz had always dreamed of working with Woody Allen. In interviews, the actress often said she knows how to dream big, and she literally "dreamed up" her role in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona." Allen himself said he couldn't imagine anyone else playing the volatile María Elena.

A scene from 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona'

Cruz's fiery temperament and her remarkable ability to disappear into a character and connect with audiences earned her the Academy's highest honor. The film also featured Scarlett Johansson and Rebecca Hall, as well as Javier Bardem, who would soon become Penélope's real-life husband.

Penelope Cruz Wins Best Supporting Actress for Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2009)

The Beautiful Pirate and Other Roles

In 2011, Cruz brought sultry charm to "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" as Angelica, the love interest of roguish Jack Sparrow.

Penelope Cruz and Johnny Depp in 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides'

In 2012, she appeared in Woody Allen's "To Rome with Love," playing a prostitute. Two years later, she took on the challenging role of a woman battling serious illness in Julio Medem's drama "Ma Ma."

Ma Ma - trailer

In 2016, Penelope delivered a small but scene-stealing turn in "Zoolander 2" alongside the unlikely pairing of Ben Stiller and Benedict Cumberbatch. She played agent Valentina, investigating murders in the fashion world.

2017 proved busy for Cruz, who starred in the Pablo Escobar biopic "Loving Pablo, Hating Escobar" and Kenneth Branagh's "Murder on the Orient Express."

Penelope Cruz Never Wants to See Javier Bardem's Pablo Escobar Look Again

In 2018, the "Madrid Madonna" – as Hollywood dubbed Penelope – took on the Gianni Versace project. She portrayed Donatella Versace in the acclaimed series. In 2019, she reunited with real-life husband Javier Bardem for "Everybody Knows."

American Crime Story, Versace 2x05 Gianni tells Donatella he is coming out

That same year, she teamed up with Antonio Banderas in Pedro Almodóvar's Oscar-nominated drama "Pain and Glory." In 2021, the pair reunited for the acting world satire "Official Competition." On playing director Lola, whose film gets backing from an eccentric billionaire, Penelope said:

...I found this role incredibly funny because I played a complete wild psychopath. She's desperately lonely because she's absolutely unbearable. But it was fun to play her – I had carte blanche from our directors for my own interpretation of the character.

That same year, Cruz took the lead in Pedro Almodóvar's "Parallel Mothers" opposite Milena Smit. The film follows two women who give birth on the same day but couldn't be more different: Cruz plays an established photographer, while Smit portrays a teenage rape victim. The unlikely pair form a bond that changes both their lives forever. The performance earned Penelope an Oscar nomination for Best Actress, though Jessica Chastain ultimately won for "The Eyes of Tammy Faye."

A still from the film 'Parallel Mothers'

Penélope Cruz's Personal Life

Over the years, the star has been linked to Tom Cruise and Nicolas Cage, as well as Matthew McConaughey and Josh Hartnett. But these on-set romances fizzled out as quickly as they sparked.

From the actress's interviews, it's clear she found true happiness with Javier Bardem – her soulmate. They first met on the set of "Jamón Jamón," where they played lovers. Javier was completely smitten with the young beauty, but at the time, Penélope was laser-focused on her career and ready to conquer Hollywood.

Fifteen years later, fate reunited them, and shortly after "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" premiered, the Spanish stars tied the knot. Their wedding took place in the Bahamas, and the couple has two children: a son, Leo, and a daughter, Luna, who is three years younger.

Penélope Cruz with her husband and children

Penélope, who's never been one for drama or superstition, keeps reporters at bay when it comes to details about her life with Javier and their children. However, she readily shares the secrets that help her stay in shape and look great. Her secret weapon against wrinkles and dark circles? Sleep – and she claims she can sleep for more than 18 hours! Her second secret weapon? Great food and staying positive. The actress loves to eat and isn't vegetarian – unlike many of her Hollywood peers.

Penelope Cruz & Javier Bardem Discuss Working Together in 'Everybody Knows'

In addition to her creative achievements and beauty, Penélope is also loved for her kind heart. She is actively involved in charity work and participates in various funds to help those in need.

Penélope Cruz Now

The actress continues to star in both Spanish films, such as the 2022 drama "On the Fringe," nominated for the top prize at the Venice Film Festival, and Hollywood movies, like the action film "The 355," which earned her a Golden Raspberry Award nomination, or the biographical drama with Adam Driver "Ferrari," released in 2023 and also nominated for the Golden Lion.

Penelope Cruz: latest news and articles

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Tracy Gomez

I like the work of Almodovar, and Penelope is just one of his favorite actresses and girlfriend. And from their joint work I liked the film “Todo Sobre Mi Madre”.

2021-04-17 17:03:34
Jeremiah Chase Baker

There`s a cool movie with Penélope, Vanilla Sky. She is starring with Tom Cruise there, a very beautiful pair of them would turn out

2021-04-02 14:12:04
Glenda Horton

Why everybody so admire her? In my opinion, she achieved nothing special

2021-03-11 20:48:51
Victoria Hernandez

I love the beauty Penelope since my youth. There is so much expression and Spanish passion in it that it takes your breath away. I really liked the film «Bandidas», where Cruz, by the way, is filming with his friend, actress Salma Hayek.

2021-02-21 18:37:29
Connor Julian Smith

Hot, femme fatale Penelope Cruz attracts the attention of not only men but also women of her charisma and charm. Always glad to see her in any movie!

2021-02-19 22:56:52

Photos: Penelope Cruz