Penelope Cruz is a Spanish actress born in 1974 who studied classical ballet from a young age. She began her career in Spanish television and film in the early 1990s before moving to Hollywood. Some of her most notable roles include films with directors Pedro Almodóvar and opposite actors like Matt Damon and Tom Cruise. She won an Oscar in 2009 for her role in Vicky Cristina Barcelona, making her the first Spanish actress to win an Academy Award. Cruz has also been involved in philanthropic work through her Sabera Foundation.

2.  Born in Spain on April 28th
1974 (40 years old)
 Studied classical ballet at a
young age
 Moved to Hollywood, CA to
pursue acting
 Landed roles opposite the
likes of Matt Damon and
Tom Cruise

3. EARLY LIFE
 Studied classical ballet for 9
years at Spain’s National
Conservatory
 Beat out 300 girls at a talent
agency competition, leading
up to several roles as a
dancer for music videos, as
well as hosting Spanish TV’s
La Quinta Marcha
 Explored her more sensual
side in a French erotic TV
series, Serie Rose

4.  Spanish Cinema – made her film debut in 1992 in
Jamón Jamón and played Luz in The Age of Beauty, 1
year later
 Her resumé continued to grow over the years,
clocking up 3 or 4 films every year
 In 1997, Cruz took the role of Isabel Plaza Caballero
in Carne Tremula—marking the first time that she
worked with internationally renowned director Pedro
Almodóvar, who, in turn, became a lifelong friend, as
well as her vehicle for global fame
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5. PERSONAL LIFE
 After filming All the Pretty Horses, she became a Vegetarian
 In July 2010, Penelope married one of her co-stars, Spanish
actor Javier Bardem
 Volunteered in Uganda for 2 months as well as India
 Has 2 younger siblings – Eduardo (singer) and Monica
(actress)
 She donated her salary from her first Hollywood movie, The
Hi-Lo Country, to Mother Teresa's mission.

6. MEMORABLE AWARDS
 Won an Academy Award
– becoming the first
Spanish actress to do so
– for her performance in
the film Vicky Christina
Barcelona
 51 wins in total
 Actress in Film (ALMA Award)
 Best Depiction of Nudity of
Sexuality (EDA Special Mention
Award)
 Best Actress (Goya Awards)
 Actress of the Year
(Hollywood Film Awards)

7. ACCOMPLISHMENT
S Was named Esquire’s “Sexiest Woman Alive” in
2014 (making her the 11th woman to be given the title)
 Founded a non-government organization called
Sabera Foundation – setting up a home, a school
and a clinic for homeless girls and people suffering
tuberculosis in Calcutta

8. ACCOMPLISHMENT
SSecond Spanish
performer to be Oscar-
nominated (first one being
her husband)
Only person to win an
acting Oscar and
appear in 2 Oscar-
winning Best Foreign
Language Films
In 2006, she was
earning $2 million per
year representing
L’Oreal cosmetics

9. ACCEPTANCE
SPEECH: 2009 OSCARS

10. CONCLUSIONEvidently, Penelope Cruz is a wonderful
role model for women all over. She truly
has worked her way up to the top from
being a teenage girl in performing arts to
an Oscar winning actress. Despite her
stunning looks, she is taken seriously in
Hollywood as an actress with countless
roles that portray a variety of
personalities. Penelope has pride in who
she is, her culture, art and always
believed in herself. In her Oscar speech
she mentions that where she grew up this
was not a realistic dream, yet she never
let that stop her.
"To everyone in Spain right now who
might be sharing this moment with me
and feel that this too is theirs, I dedicate it
to you, and to all the actors of my country.
Thank you very much.”

11.  "Penelope Cruz." Bio. A&E Television
Networks, 2015. Web. 05 Mar. 2015.
“Penelope Cruz - IMDb." The Internet Movie
Database (IMDb). Web. 05 Mar. 2015.
<http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004851/bi
o?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm>.
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