Penelope Cruz Sanchez

Penelope Cruz Sanchez was the daughter of Eduardo Cruz (a retailer) and Encarna Sanchez (a hairdresser). She was a performer with a passion when she was a kid and even reenacted commercials on TV to keep the family entertained. But she chose to devote her time to dance. She continued her dance training by working with several well-known dancers after she had spent the last nine years learning ballet at Spain's National Conservatory. She realized what she wanted to do at the age of 15, when she smashed more than 300 girls in an audition for an agency for talent. She was offered roles in Spanish music videos and TV. The contract led to many more performances, which opened the doors to a successful career on the world of big screens. Cruz made her movie debut with The Greek Labyrinth (1993). (The Greek Labyrinth). Following that she appeared in a brief scene in Framed (1992) directed by Timothy Dalton. Her final film, Belle Epoque (1992) was an Oscar-winning production in which she played one the four sisters trying to win the affection of a handsome deserter army soldier. The film also earned many Goyas awards, which are the Spanish equivalent to the Academy Awards. The actress continued to add films to her resume, increasing by three or four every year. Soon Cruz was the leading lady in Spanish cinema. Live Flesh (1997) (Live Flesh) offered her the chance to work with renowned Spanish director Pedro Almodovar (who would later be her ticket to international fame), and the same year she was the lead actress in the thriller/drama/mystery/sci-fi film Open Your Eyes (1997), a huge hit in Spain that earned eight Goyas (though none for Cruz). It was a turning point for her in 1998, when the industry-related film comedy La Nina De Tus Ojos (1998) earned her the award for Best Actress Goya. Cruz has made several trips into films with English subtitles, but All About My Mother (1999) was her first big international hit. She played an unchaste, but well meaning nun. Cruz became in high demand throughout the Atlantic as well as the west coast, since the film was awarded numerous awards and accolades. Woman on Top (2000) was her next big project. It was an American comedy featuring a chef with remarkable culinary talents and extreme motion sickness. While in America,