Penelope Cruz

She was in a romantic relationship with ‘Vanilla Sky’ co-star, Tom Cruise for three years, from 2001. However, the two separated ways in 2004.

She began dating ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’ co-star Javier Bardem in 2007. The two tied the nuptial knot in 2010. The couple has been blessed with two children, Leonardo and Luna.

She is close friends with Spanish director Pedro Almod�var. Acting apart, she owns a clothing line.

Penelope Cruz Sanchez was the oldest of the three children born to Encarna S�nchez and Eduardo Cruz. While her mother was a hairdresser and personal manager, her father was a retailer and auto mechanic.

Raised as a Roman Catholic, young Cruz, she spent much of her childhood at her grandmother’s apartment. Often she indulged in playing acting games and re-enacting the commercials that left her friends and parents amused.

As a child, she was interested in dancing and also attained training in the same. For nine years, she took lessons in classical ballet at Spain’s National Conservatory. The dance lessons instilled in her focus, determination and discipline which came in handy in future.

Her tryst with cinema started when she was ten. Her father brought home a Betamax machine on which the family watched movies together. The movie ‘Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!’ by Spanish director Pedro Almod�var, inspired her to take up acting professionally.

Her entry into the world of cinema wasn’t a rosy one as she faced rejection a number of times. However, not the one to give up, she persistently continued with her endeavour to bag herself a role.

In 1989, she auditioned at a talent agency. With more than 300 girls eyeing for the role, she came out victorious, impressing the judges with her oozing fresh talent, unmatched sense of presence and remarkable acting skills.

Her first stint in front of the camera was for the Spanish pop group, ‘Mecano’ music video, ‘La Fuerza del Destino’. Following this, she was regularly featured on television throughout the 1990s decade. She served as the host for the teenage talk show, ‘La Quinta Marcha’. She also appeared in an episode of an erotic French TV series called ‘S�rie rose’

She made her big screen debut with the feature film, ‘Jamon, Jamon’ in 1992. She played the role of the female protagonist, Silvia. The film met with favourable response. She was as much appreciated for her talent as for her daring nudity in the film, which made her a major sex symbol overnight.

Her next release was lined up for the same year titled, ‘Belle Epoque’. This Academy Award winning movie had her playing the character of virginal Luz with complete perfection.

‘Vanilla Sky’ marks the highpoint in her career graph. Cast opposite Tom Cruise, the film was very well received at the box office and earned a whopping $200 million worldwide. It went on to become her highest grossing film till date.