**Penélope Cruz** (born in 1974) is an internationally acclaimed Spanish actress, celebrated for her versatility and dramatic intensity. She began her career in Spain, quickly gaining recognition through her notable collaborations with director **Pedro Almodóvar**, in iconic films such as *All About My Mother* (1999) and *Volver* (2006), showcasing her profound expressiveness.

Her transition to Hollywood brought her further success, culminating in an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Woody Allen's *Vicky Cristina Barcelona* (2008). Cruz is known for her ability to portray strong, complex, and often passionate women, ranging from intense dramas like *Blow* (2001) to more commercial productions. Maintaining a strong tie to European auteur cinema, she continues to be a muse for Almodóvar, as evidenced by the recent successes of *Pain and Glory* (2019) and *Parallel Mothers* (2021).