1 / 12
Penélope Cruz is one of the most recognizable and critically acclaimed actresses in Hollywood, and for good reason. She has an amazing ability to really delve into her characters and portray such depth in every character she embodies and in multiple languages! She is the first Spanish woman to earn an Academy Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Not only is she an incredible artist, but Penélope is also a powerful activist and even donated the salary from her first film to Mother Teresa's Mission.
Did you know she was married to Hollywood superstar, Javier Bardem?! What a power couple.
2 / 12
Penélope won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance of the emotionally disturbed wife "María Elena" in Vicki Cristina Barcelona. She plays a supporting role to Javier Bardem and Scarlett Johansson but her portrayal was so intense that her presence is felt throughout the entire film.
Coincidentally, she played the wife of Javier Bardem's character whom she was dating at the time of production. The two have been married since 2010 and have two gorgeous children together.
RELATED CONTENT: Javier Bardem Defends Johnny Depp Amid Amber Heard Alleged Abuse
3 / 12
The true-crime series The Assassination of Gianni Versace received countless awards and nominations for the production and actors alike. Penélope portrayed Gianni's sister Donatella both during her time working with her brother and after his vicious murder, showing two very different stages of Donatella's life and emotion.
Penélope is actually friends with real-life Donatella Versace and when the director offered Penélope the role she first asked her friend permission to play her in the series.
RELATED CONTENT: These True Crime Shows And Movies Are About Real-Life Celebrities
4 / 12
Penélope Cruz plays the mother of a kidnap victim in Madrid in the psychological thriller Todos Lo Saben. We watch as she struggles to do whatever she can in a corrupt city while trusting no one to get back her daughter safely. Her family starts to come apart as shocking truths come to light and Penélope's character must stay strong for her daughter.
Her husband, Javier Bardem works alongside her in this film!
5 / 12
The deep film Vanilla Sky is one of the most mind-bending and thought-provoking science fiction thrillers. Penélope Cruz stars alongside stars Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Jason Lee, and Kurt Russell.
Penélope and Cruise even dated for 3 years after the production of this film!
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Cameron Diaz "Loves Being A Mom", Shares Benji Madden Is An Amazing Father
6 / 12
The hit film Vanilla Sky was an English language adaptation of the Spanish film Abre Los Ojos. Penélope Cruz reprised her role for the adaptation as well. The film is so powerful and the ideas are so intelligent that it is a popular film internationally.
7 / 12
Penélope stars alongside award-winning actor Ben Kingsley in this deeply passionate drama, Elegy. Ben Kingsley plays a professor stuck in his anti-commital ways when Penélope Cruz's character "Consuela" enters his life and shakes up his entire world.
8 / 12
Debuting at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival, Chromophobia starred an ensemble cast of Penélope Cruz, Ralph Fiennes, Ian Holm, and Damian Lewis. Each played different people intertwined who are all financially successful but forced to realize what they truly gave up and lost to reach their success.
Penélope was perfect for this role as she can display so much in her face without having to say much at all.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Tom Selleck Chooses Family Over Fame: "It's Always About Them"
9 / 12
Penélope Cruz and Johnny Depp starred in this hit biographical crime film about famous American cocaine smuggler George Jung. Penélope is Jung's spicy fireball wife in the 2001 cult film Blow.
10 / 12
Penélope earned rave reviews for her performance as scorned lover "Italia" in Don't Move. Penélope even learned Italian for this role in particular! She truly is an international star.
Drop-dead gorgeous Penélope Cruz was the first Spanish actress to earn a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame! In every single performance of hers, she dominates the screen with passion, subtlety, and grace so viewers can't dare look away. We've compiled a list of our favorite Penélope Cruz films and TV shows just for you!
Check out our favorite ones here!
