Penelope Cruz Movies You Probably Didn't Know She Starred In

Here are some of Penelope Cruz's movies that you probably did not know she starred in. But first, let's look back at how the Spanish actress started in the movie industry.

Penelope Cruz Sanchez was born in Madrid, Spain, to Eduardo Cruz, a retailer, and Encarna Sanchez, a hairdresser. Even as a child, she loved performing and often put on shows for her family, including reenacting TV ads.

According to IMDB, she initially pursued her passion for dance and spent nine years studying ballet at Spain's National Conservatory before training with renowned dancers.

At 15, Cruz auditioned for a talent agency and was chosen over 300 other young women. That led to her appearances in Spanish-language television series and music videos, eventually advancing her film career.

Penelope Cruz made her film debut in 1993's "El laberinto griego" ("The Greek Labyrinth") and had a small role in 1992's "Framed" alongside Timothy Dalton.

Her breakthrough came in her third film, "Belle Epoque" (1992), the 1992 Oscar-winning foreign movie where she played one of four sisters vying for the affections of a handsome army deserter.

The film also garnered some Goyas, the Spanish equivalent of the Academy Awards. Cruz's success continued, and she appeared in several movies each year, quickly becoming a household name in Spain.

Penelope Cruz Movies You Probably Didn't Know She Starred In

Penelope Cruz became the only Spanish actress to have won an Oscar and the only one to have received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. However, Cruz has still gone unnoticed in some movies where she plays minor or supporting roles. Here are some of her films in which fans were unaware of her presence.

The Brothers Grimsby

The 2016 spy action-comedy film "Grimsby," released as "The Brothers Grimsby" in North America, is one of Penelope Cruz's movies where she showcased her versatility. Helmed by Louis Leterrier, the film was penned by a trio of writers, including Sacha Baron Cohen, Phil Johnston, and Peter Baynham.

In the movie, the Spanish actress portrayed the character of Rhonda George, a philanthropist hosting a high-profile benefit event called WorldCure. Her character becomes a possible assassination target, adding to the film's comedic and action-packed plot.

All the Pretty Horses

Billy Bob Thornton's 2000 American Western film, "All the Pretty Horses," features the talents of Matt Damon and Penelope Cruz, who star in the adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's novel of the same name.

Cruz plays the character Alejandra, daughter of Don Hector de la Rocha, played by Ruben Blades. The wealthy de la Rocha employs the two main characters, John Grady Cole (Damon) and Lacey Rawlins (Henry Thomas).

Waking Up in Reno

The 2002 American comedy-drama film "Waking Up in Reno" saw a star-studded cast that included Natasha Richardson, Billy Bob Thornton, Patrick Swayze, and Charlize Theron hitting the road.

Directed by Jordan Brady, the movie follows two redneck couples on a journey from Little Rock to Reno for a monster truck rally. Penelope Cruz also appeared in the film, playing the role of Brenda, a hooker who turns down advances from Loonie Earl (Billy Bob Thornton).

Gothika

The 2003 American supernatural, psychological, horror thriller "Gothika" boasts an impressive cast including Halle Berry, Robert Downey Jr., Penelope Cruz, Charles S. Dutton, John Carroll Lynch, and Bernard Hill.

Directed by Mathieu Kassovitz and written by Sebastian Gutierrez, with Joel Silver and Robert Zemeckis as executive producers, the story follows Dr. Miranda Gray (Halle Berry), a skilled criminal psychologist wrongfully institutionalized for the murder of her husband. Among her patients is Chloe Sava (Penelope Cruz), a deeply disturbed woman who had killed her father.

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Written by: Bert Hoover

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