Today, Penélope Cruz is one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, but her journey began far from the glamour of Los Angeles. Cruz initially worked in Spanish films, and it wasn’t until 2000—when she took on her first English-language role in Woman on Top—that she began to break into the U.S. market. The transition was seamless; Cruz captivated American audiences and built a successful Hollywood career with roles in Blow, Bandidas, and Vicky Cristina Barcelona, among others. Since then, she’s become a frequent collaborator with renowned Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar, starring in seven of his films as of 2022.
#1. From Ballet Dreams to the Big Screen
Before she discovered acting, Cruz dreamed of becoming a ballerina. She started ballet at the age of four and trained rigorously for up to five hours a day. “By the time I went to ballet school at age four, I was already asking to play the role of Carmen,” Cruz told Interview magazine. Her dance training instilled discipline and helped prepare her for the demands of acting. She later demonstrated her dance skills in Nine, telling British GQ, “I wouldn’t have been able to do that number had it not been for my dance background.”
#2. Proudly Spanish Yet Globally Minded
Cruz remains deeply connected to her Spanish roots, and she currently lives in Madrid with her family. “I’m very Spanish,” she shared with Esquire, adding, “I love my city and my country… the food, the culture. And it’s where my mother is, my sister. I’m very family-oriented.” However, she also considers herself “a citizen of the world,” expressing a love for both her homeland and her global experiences.
#3. Launching Her Career with a Few Fibs
Getting into acting required a little creativity with the truth. Early in her career, Cruz had to lie about her age to secure roles, especially in films with adult themes like Jamón, Jamón and Belle Époque. As she recounted to W magazine, “I had to lie about my age… and to my parents about the content of the script — more than lying, omitting.” Despite these fibs, her talent spoke for itself and soon opened doors for her.
#4. Penélope’s Skincare and Wellness Routine
Penélope Cruz is known for her radiant complexion, a testament to her disciplined skincare regimen. She’s an ambassador for Lancôme and swears by their Advanced Génifique serum and Renergie Lift Multi-Action Ultra Sheet Masks. “I’m very disciplined,” she told British Vogue. Beyond skincare, she practices Bikram yoga, drinks moderately, and quit smoking, which she credits for her natural glow and timeless beauty.
#5. Photography: A Passion Beyond Acting
An avid photographer, Cruz has been passionate about capturing images since she was a teenager. In Parallel Mothers, she played a photographer, which is fitting given her real-life love for the craft. During a trip to Nepal, she documented her experience by photographing Tibetan children, and the moving images were featured in an exhibition. “I photographed their feet… some had lost toes because of the snow,” she told Marie Claire. Photography allows her to “be on the other side of the camera,” an experience she cherishes.
#6. On Stage with Prince and U2
Penélope Cruz has rubbed shoulders with some of the biggest stars in music. During concerts with U2 and Prince, she was pulled up on stage to perform with her husband, Javier Bardem. While Bono gave them a heads-up, Prince did not, which left Cruz feeling slightly overwhelmed. “I was very excited… but at the same time, I could not wait to get [off] the stage,” she told The Tonight Show.
#7. Her Secret Rituals for Getting Into Character
To prepare for roles, Cruz has developed personal rituals, though they vary depending on the character. “I have a lot of secret rituals,” she explained to Vogue France. “Sometimes it’s through music or complete isolation… or meditation.” Cruz doesn’t adhere to method acting; instead, she steps in and out of character throughout the day. “I don’t stay in one state for 12 hours straight,” she shared, preferring instead to fully recharge when off-camera.
#8. Limited Love for Social Media
Unlike many celebrities, Cruz keeps her social media presence minimal, especially when it comes to her children. “I have a strange relationship with social media,” she explained on CBS Sunday Morning. She worries about its effects on younger generations, calling it a “twisted experiment” and limiting her kids’ exposure to technology, allowing them access only to age-appropriate shows and movies.
#9. Choosing Sleep Over Parties
Cruz may be a Hollywood star, but she’s not one to prioritize nightlife. Instead, she’s protective of her sleep, often skipping social events to get her seven hours. “If I don’t have at least seven hours, I feel it later,” she told Red magazine. Her lack of interest in partying has been a lifelong preference, saying, “I’ve never been interested in drugs or alcohol.” Staying up late is a rarity for her, which she humorously commented on: “I do that once every two years!”
#10. A 40-Second Meeting with Woody Allen Led to Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Cruz’s memorable role in Vicky Cristina Barcelona came after a mere 40-second meeting with director Woody Allen. After hearing about the film, Cruz’s agent reached out to Allen, and the two met briefly in New York. “He told me, ‘I’m writing something, and if it keeps going in this direction, it could be great for you,’” she recalled. Fortunately, the role materialized and won her an Academy Award.
#11. How She and Javier Bardem Navigated the Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Cruz and her husband, Javier Bardem, focused on creating a supportive environment for their kids. “When you have children, most of your attention goes to them, to make sure… it’s not a traumatic experience,” she told British Vogue. The downtime also allowed her to reconnect with director Pedro Almodóvar, leading to her Oscar-nominated role in Parallel Mothers.
#12. Her Oscar Is Unique Thanks to Her Father
When Cruz won her first Oscar in 2009, her father helped attach her nameplate but accidentally placed it upside down. “Of course, my dad… is not with us anymore, so I could never change it,” Cruz told The Late Late Show. She even took her Oscar everywhere with her initially, including to the beach, treasuring it as a symbol of both her achievements and her father’s touch.
#13. Motherhood: A Lifelong Dream
Penélope Cruz has always dreamed of being a mother. “When I was four or five… the characters in my games were always mothers,” she told Marie Claire. After waiting for “the right time, the right person,” Cruz welcomed her first child, Leo, in 2011. For her, motherhood has lived up to her childhood dreams. “From the second you see that little face, your life has changed forever,” she said.
#14. Family Comes First
Despite her Hollywood fame, Cruz prioritizes family above all. When her son was born, she took time off to be a full-time mom, saying, “I’m a housewife and it’s beautiful, the best thing in the world,” in an interview with Hello!. She echoed this sentiment to Vogue Arabia, saying, “My biggest mission in life is to try to [be a good parent].” For Cruz, her children are her most important role.
