Penélope Cruz

Spanish actress Penélope Cruz (born April 28, 1974) is a globally recognized icon known for her magnetic screen presence and her ability to excel in both Spanish and English-language cinema. After studying classical ballet for nine years, she made her feature film debut at age 17 in the acclaimed Jamón, jamón (1992), which launched her career and began her frequent, career-defining collaborations with director Pedro Almodóvar. Cruz achieved international stardom with roles in Hollywood hits like Vanilla Sky (2001) and Blow (2001), and in 2009, she made history as the first Spanish actress to win an Academy Award for her fiery performance in Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona.