Penélope Cruz, born on April 28, 1974, in Madrid, began her career in ballet and classical dance before acting in Spanish films and television at age 15. She gained international recognition in the late 1990s through collaborations with director Pedro Almodóvar, achieving a breakthrough role in the 2001 film "Vanilla Sky." Cruz became the first Spanish actress to win an Academy Award in 2008 for Best Supporting Actress in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" and received further Oscar nominations for "Volver" and "Parallel Mothers."
Her notable film credits include "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," "Nine," "Spy," "Husbands and Wives," and "Ferrari." Married to actor Javier Bardem since 2010, they have two children. Cruz continues to be a prominent and respected figure in both Hollywood and European cinema.
