Penelope Cruz is Amazing!
#14 Spanish Spoken Here
Penelope -- along with Salma Hayek -- are the two most beautiful Hispanic actresses at work today. Here they are together in Banditas.
Related Content
►
View All From This Gallery
15:
Meet Penelope Cruz
Born in 1974, Penelope Cruz has risen to the heights of Hollywood and International stardom. She was signed by an agent at 15 and made her first appearance on television by 16.
14:
Spanish Spoken Here
Penelope -- along with Salma Hayek -- are the two most beautiful Hispanic actresses at work today. Here they are together in Banditas.
13:
Penelope: Her First Instincts
As a toddler, Penelope was a compulsive performer. She re-enacted TV commercials for her family and friend's entertainment.
12:
Penelope on Point
The first career Cruz chose for herself was ballet. She studied classical ballet for nine years at Spain's National Conservatory. She received three years of Spanish ballet training and four years of theater at Cristina Rota's New York school.
11:
Penelope and the Betamax
When Penelope developed an interest in movies when she was about 10 or 11-years-old, there were no movie theaters near her home in Spain. Her father bought a betamax player so she could start studying what became her profession.
10:
Penelope and Pedro
Penelope got in to acting when she noticed the work of Pedro Almodóvar, in particular, Tie Me Up? Tie Me Down! In 1997, she appeared in the opening scene of Pedro Almodóvar's Live Flesh as a prostitute who gives birth on a bus.
9:
Pirates of the Caribean!
The fourth in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise benefited from the Penelope's star power. It's her biggest movie to date and every one will remember how she handled the swords.
8:
Lands First American Role
In 2000, Cruz appeared in Woman on Top, her first American role. She was the lead female role as Isabelle, a world-class chef who suffers from motion sickness. The US learned she has a charming accent and could play comedy.
7:
Breakout! Vanilla Sky
2001 was the turning point in her career. Cruz starred in Vanilla Sky directed by Cameron Crowe. She played Sofia Serrano, the love interest of Tom Cruise's character. Vanilla Sky made $200 million worldwide and her performance was well received by critics.
6:
First Academy Award
Way back in 2007, Penelope starred in Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona. For her performance, Cruz earned her first Academy Award and BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress. Cruz was the first Spanish actress to ever be awarded an Academy Award in that category.
5:
First Spanaird on Hollywood Walk of Fame
On 1 April 2011, Cruz earned the 2,436th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a star in front of the El Capitan Theatre. She became the first Spanish actress to receive a Star.
4:
L'Oreal / Lauren Spokesperson
In 2006, Cruz became spokesperson for L'Oréal. She earns $2 million a year for her work and signed a with Ralph Lauren in 2001.
3:
Cruz: The Phlanthropist
Cruz donates much of her money and time to charity. In addition to her work in Nepal, she's volunteered in Uganda and India where she spent a week working for Mother Teresa in a leprosy clinic.
2:
Penelope Nets Javier Bardem
Cruz started dating Javier Bardem in 2007. They married in early July 2010 at a friend's home in the Bahamas. Cruz gave birth to her first child, a son named Leonardo, on January 22, 2011 in LA.
1:
Woody Allen's New Starlet
Penelope is starring in this summer's Woody Allen movie, To Rome with Love. She plays Anna, a lady of high beauty and low moral character. Penelope: You're so lovely! Thanks so much for everything!
