{{Short description|Spanish actress (born 1974)}} {{family name hatnote|Cruz|Sánchez|lang=Spanish}} {{Good article}} {{pp-vandalism|small=yes}} {{Use British English|date=December 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2025}} {{Infobox person | name = Penélope Cruz | image = Goyas 2024 - Penélope Cruz-2 (cropped).jpg | alt = A photograph of Penélope Cruz at the 38th Annual Goya Awards in 2024 | caption = Cruz in 2024 | birth_name = Penélope Cruz Sánchez | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1974|4|28}} | birth_place = Alcobendas, Spain | occupation = {{hlist|Actress}} | years_active = 1989–present | works = Full list | spouse = {{marriage|Javier Bardem|2010}} | children = 2 | relatives = Mónica Cruz (sister) | awards = Full list }}
'''Penélope Cruz Sánchez'''{{Efn|{{IPAc-en|k|ɹ|uː|z}} {{respell|KROOZ}}, {{IPA|es|peˈnelope ˈkɾuθ ˈsantʃeθ|lang|small=no}}.<ref>{{cite AV media| date = 19 December 2021 | title =Penélope Cruz: Mother, actress, and student of life | url =https://www.cbsnews.com/news/penelope-cruz-parallel-mothers-pedro-almodovar/ | access-date = 6 November 2023 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20220101191555/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/penelope-cruz-parallel-mothers-pedro-almodovar/ | archive-date=1 January 2022 | time = 5min 00s| publisher = CBS News }}</ref>}} (born 28 April 1974) is a Spanish actress. Prolific in Spanish and English-language films, her accolades include an Academy Award, BAFTA Award, a David di Donatello and three Goya Awards.
Cruz made her acting debut on television at age 16, and her feature film debut the following year in ''Jamón Jamón'' (1992). Her subsequent roles included ''Belle Époque'' (1992), ''Open Your Eyes'' (1997), ''Don Juan'' (1998), ''The Hi-Lo Country'' (1999), ''The Girl of Your Dreams'' (2000) and ''Woman on Top'' (2000). She collaborated with Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar in ''Live Flesh'' (1997), ''All About My Mother'' (1999), ''Volver'' (2006), ''Broken Embraces'' (2009), ''I'm So Excited!'' (2013), ''Pain and Glory'' (2019), and ''Parallel Mothers'' (2021). In addition to acting, she has also took over production duties in films such as ''Ma Ma'' (2015) and ''On the Fringe'' (2022).
For her role in Woody Allen's romantic drama ''Vicky Cristina Barcelona'' (2008), Cruz won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Her other Oscar-nominated roles are in ''Volver'' (2006), ''Nine'' (2009), and ''Parallel Mothers'' (2021). Other films include ''Vanilla Sky'' (2001), ''Blow'' (2001), ''Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides'' (2011), ''The Counselor'' (2013), ''Murder on the Orient Express'' (2017), ''Everybody Knows'' (2018), ''Official Competition'' (2022), ''L'immensità'' (2022), and ''Ferrari'' (2023). For her role as Donatella Versace in the miniseries ''The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story'' (2018), she received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination. She is the only Spanish actress to have won an Academy Award and to have received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2007 she won the David di Donatello for the leading role in ''Don't Move''.
Cruz has also modelled for Mango, Ralph Lauren and L'Oréal, and designed clothing for Mango with her younger sister Mónica Cruz. She has been a house ambassador for Chanel since 2018. She volunteered in Uganda and India, where she spent one week working with Mother Teresa, and donated her salary from ''The Hi-Lo Country'' to help fund the now-deceased nun's mission.
==Early life== Cruz was born on 28 April 1974 in the town of Alcobendas, province of Madrid, Spain, to Encarna Sánchez, an Andalusian hairdresser and personal manager, and Eduardo Cruz, an Extremaduran retailer and car mechanic.<ref name="Bio">{{cite web|title=Penélope Cruz Biography|url=http://www.biography.com/people/penelope-cruz-9262753|publisher=Biography.com|access-date=15 July 2014|archive-date=7 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407041312/https://www.biography.com/people/penelope-cruz-9262753|url-status=dead}}</ref> She has two siblings, Mónica, also an actress, and Eduardo, a singer. She also has a paternal half-sister, Salma.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/penelope-cruzs-father-has-passed-away/ar-AAbMe0B|title=Penelope Cruz's father has passed away|website=MSN|access-date=18 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619002817/http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/penelope-cruzs-father-has-passed-away/ar-AAbMe0B|archive-date=19 June 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/penelope-cruzs-father-dies/ar-AAbMHIQ |title=Penelope Cruz's father dies |website=MSN |access-date=18 June 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619010819/http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/penelope-cruzs-father-dies/ar-AAbMHIQ |archive-date=19 June 2015}}</ref><ref name="cbsnews"/> She was raised Roman Catholic.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebritynews/news/javier-bardem-and-penelope-cruz-are-engaged-2009510|title=Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem Are Engaged!|work=Us Weekly|date=5 October 2009|access-date=13 May 2010|archive-date=14 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014190726/http://www.usmagazine.com/celebritynews/news/javier-bardem-and-penelope-cruz-are-engaged-2009510|url-status=live}}</ref> Cruz grew up in Alcobendas, and spent long hours at her grandmother's apartment.<ref name="cbsnews">{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/01/15/60minutes/main6101587_page2.shtml?tag=contentMain;contentBody |title=The Rising Star of Penelope Cruz (Page 2) |work=CBS News |first=Charlie |last=Rose |date=17 January 2010 |access-date=25 April 2010 |archive-date=28 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728040439/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-rising-star-of-penelope-cruz-15-01-2010/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="mariéclairepage3" /> She said she had a happy childhood.<ref name="cbsnews"/> Cruz remembers "playing with some friends and being aware that I was acting as I was playing with them. I would think of a character and pretend to be someone else".<ref name="I"/>
Initially, Cruz focused on dance:<ref name="cbsnews"/> she studied classical ballet for nine years<ref name="mariéclairepage3" /> at Spain's National Conservatory.<ref name="peoplebio" /> She took three years of Spanish ballet training and four years of theatre at Cristina Rota's school.<ref name="askmenquestions">{{cite web |url=http://www.askmen.com/celebs/interview_200/230_penelope_cruz_interview.html |title=10 Questions With Penelope Cruz |first=Todd |last=Gilchrist |publisher=AskMen |access-date=14 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006095303/http://www.askmen.com/celebs/interview_200/230_penelope_cruz_interview.html |archive-date=6 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=Hola>{{cite web|url= http://www.hola.com/biografias/penelope-cruz/biografia/|title= Últimas noticias y biografía de Penélope Cruz|language= es|work= Hola|date= 7 November 2006|access-date= 3 May 2010|archive-date= 17 October 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121017131419/http://www.hola.com/biografias/penelope-cruz/biografia/|url-status= live}}</ref> She said that ballet instilled discipline that proved important in her acting career.<ref name="cbsnewspage3"/> When she became a cinephile at ten or eleven, her father bought a Betamax machine, which was then quite rare in her neighborhood.<ref name="I">{{cite web|url=http://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/penelope-cruz/|title=Penelope CRUZ|last=Cotillard|first=Marion|date=28 April 2010|work=Interview|access-date=2 April 2011|archive-date=8 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008104100/http://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/penelope-cruz/|url-status=live}}</ref>
As a teenager, Cruz became interested in acting after seeing the film ''Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!'' (1990) by Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar.<ref name="cbsnews"/><ref name="vanityfairpage2">{{cite web |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2009/11/penelope-cruz200911?currentPage=2 |title=The Passions of Penélope |work=Vanity Fair |first=Ingrid |last=Sischy |date=November 2009 |access-date=26 April 2010 |archive-date=28 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528111457/http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2009/11/penelope-cruz200911?currentPage=2 |url-status=live }}</ref> She did casting calls for an agent but was rejected several times because the agent felt that she was too young.<ref name="cbsnews"/><ref name="sydenyinfo" /> Cruz commented on the experience, "I was very extroverted as a kid.... I was studying when I was in high school at night, I was in ballet and I was doing castings. I looked for an agent and she sent me away three times because I was a little girl but I kept coming back. I'm still with her after all these years."<ref name="sydenyinfo" /> In 1989, at the age of fifteen, Cruz won an audition at a talent agency at which more than 300 other girls had applied.<ref name="peoplebio">{{cite web |url=http://www.people.com/people/penelope_cruz/biography |title=Penélope Cruz Biography |work=People |publisher=Time Warner Inc |access-date=14 March 2010 |archive-date=20 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020064004/http://www.people.com/people/penelope_cruz/biography |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1999, Katrina Bayonas, Cruz's agent, commented, "She was absolutely magic [at the audition]. It was obvious there was something ... impressive about this kid.... She was ... green, but there was a presence. There was just something coming from within."<ref name="peoplebio" />
Her father, Eduardo, died at his home in Spain in 2015, aged 62, from a heart attack.<ref>{{cite web|title=Penélope Cruz's Father, Eduardo, Dies at 62|url=http://www.people.com/article/penelope-cruz-father-died-eduardo-cruz|publisher=People|access-date=1 September 2015|archive-date=5 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905093246/http://www.people.com/article/penelope-cruz-father-died-eduardo-cruz|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Career== ===1989–1997: Early work=== In 1989, 15-year-old Cruz made her acting debut in a music video for the Spanish pop group Mecano's song "La Fuerza del Destino". Between 1990 and 1991, she hosted the Spanish TV channel Telecinco's talk show ''La Quinta Marcha'', a programme that was hosted by teenagers, aimed at a teenage audience.<ref name="peoplebio" /> She also played in the "''Elle et lui''" episode of an erotic French TV series called ''Série rose'' in 1991, where she appeared nude.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://archivo.trome.pe/actualidad/serie-rosa-7-cosas-que-no-sabias-serie-erotica-anos-90-video-y-fotos-2102466 |title=Serie Rosa: 7 cosas que no sabías de la serie erótica de los años 90 [VIDEO y FOTOS] |date=22 September 2016 |website=Trome |access-date=15 October 2018 |archive-date=15 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015192327/http://archivo.trome.pe/actualidad/serie-rosa-7-cosas-que-no-sabias-serie-erotica-anos-90-video-y-fotos-2102466 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1991,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jamon_jamon|title=Jamón Jamón (1991)|via=www.rottentomatoes.com|access-date=11 November 2018|archive-date=29 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171129213825/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jamon_jamon/|url-status=live}}</ref> Cruz made her feature film debut as the lead female role in the comedy drama art house film ''Jamón, jamón''.<ref name="peoplebio" /> In the film, she portrayed Silvia, a young woman who is expecting her first child with a man whose mother does not approve of the relationship and attempts to sabotage it by paying Javier Bardem's character to seduce her. ''People'' magazine noted that after Cruz appeared topless in the film, she became "a major sex symbol".<ref name="peoplebio" /> In an interview with the ''Los Angeles Daily News'' in 1999, Cruz commented that "it was a great part, but...I wasn't really ready for the nudity. [...] But I have no regrets because I wanted to start working and it changed my life."<ref name="peoplebio" /> Charlie Rose of ''60 Minutes'' noted that Cruz "became an overnight sensation as much for her nude scenes as for her talent".<ref name="cbsnewspage3"/> When Rose asked Cruz if she was concerned about how she would be perceived after her role in the film, Cruz replied, "I just knew I had to do the complete opposite."<ref name="cbsnewspage3">{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/01/15/60minutes/main6101587_page3.shtml?tag=contentMain;contentBody |title=The Rising Star of Penelope Cruz (Page 3) |work=CBS News |first=Charlie |last=Ross |date=17 January 2010 |access-date=25 April 2010 |archive-date=28 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728040439/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-rising-star-of-penelope-cruz-15-01-2010/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Jamón, jamón'' received favorable reviews,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jamon_jamon/ |title=Jamon Jamon (1993) |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=24 April 2010 |archive-date=26 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100426171730/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jamon_jamon/ |url-status=live }}</ref> with Chris Hicks of the ''Deseret News'' describing Cruz's portrayal of Silvia as "enchanting".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700000896/Jamon-Jamon.html |title=Jamon Jamon |first=Chris |last=Hicks |work=Deseret News |date=12 April 1994 |access-date=24 April 2010 |archive-date=21 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021021628/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700000896/Jamon-Jamon.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Writing for the ''Chicago Sun-Times'', film critic Roger Ebert wrote "it stars actors of considerable physical appeal, most particularly Penélope Cruz as Silvia".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19940211/REVIEWS/402110303/1023 |title=Jamon Jamon |author=Ebert, Roger |work=Chicago Sun-Times |date=11 February 1994 |access-date=24 April 2010 |author-link=Roger Ebert |archive-date=9 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009051449/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19940211/REVIEWS/402110303/1023 |url-status=dead }}</ref> For her performance, Cruz was nominated for a Spanish Actors Union Newcomer Award and a Goya Award for Best Actress. The same year she appeared in the Academy Award-winning ''Belle Époque'' as the virginal Luz.<ref name="peoplebio" /> ''People'' magazine noted that Cruz's role as Luz showed that she was versatile.<ref name="peoplebio" />
From 1993 to 1996, Cruz appeared in ten Spanish and Italian films.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004851/ |title=Penelope Cruz |publisher=Internet Movie Database |access-date=26 April 2010 |archive-date=26 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100426023432/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004851/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At 20, she went to live in New York for two years at Christopher and Greenwich to study ballet and English between films. She recalls learning English "kind of late", previously knowing only the dialogue she had learned for the casting and the phrases "How are you?" and "Thank you".<ref name="I"/>
In 1997, Cruz appeared in the Spanish comedy film ''Love Can Seriously Damage Your Health''. She portrays Diana, a fan of the Beatles band member John Lennon; she tries unsuccessfully to meet him. Years later, after many failed relationships, Diana re-unites with an acquaintance under unusual circumstances.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/love_can_seriously_damage_your_health/ |title=Love Can Seriously Damage Your Health |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=25 April 2010 |archive-date=15 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100615181629/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/love_can_seriously_damage_your_health/ |url-status=live }}</ref> That same year, she appeared in the opening scene of Pedro Almodóvar's ''Live Flesh'' as a prostitute who gives birth on a bus<ref name="peoplebio" /> and in ''Et hjørne af paradis'' (A Corner of Paradise) as Doña Helena. Cruz's final appearance in 1997 was the Amenabar-directed Spanish sci-fi drama, "Abre Los Ojos"/ ''Open Your Eyes''. She plays Sofia, the love interest of Eduardo Noriega's lead character. ''Open Your Eyes'' received positive reviews,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/open_your_eyes/ |title=Open Your Eyes (1997) |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=25 April 2010 |archive-date=9 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209073127/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/open_your_eyes/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and was later remade by U.S. director Cameron Crowe as "Vanilla Sky" (who cast Cruz in the same role and Tom Cruise in Noriega's role), but "Open Your Eyes" was not commercially successful.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=openyoureyes.htm |title=Open Your Eyes |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=25 April 2010 |archive-date=19 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100519181952/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=openyoureyes.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Kevin N. Laforest of the Montreal Film Journal commented in his September 2002 review that Cruz "has been getting some really bad reviews for her recent American work, but I personally think that she's a more than decent actress, especially here, where she's charming, moving and always believable. [...] There's one shot in particular, where Cruz enters a room in a greenish glow, which is right out of Hitchcock's picture [''Vertigo'']."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.montrealfilmjournal.com/review.asp?R=R0000451 |title=Abre Los Ojos |first=Kevin N. |last=Laforest |publisher=Montreal Film Journal |date=10 September 2002 |access-date=25 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714114432/http://www.montrealfilmjournal.com/review.asp?R=R0000451 |archive-date=14 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===1998–2000: Early American film roles=== In 1998, Cruz appeared in her first American film as Billy Crudup's consolation-prize Mexican girlfriend in Stephen Frears' western film ''The Hi-Lo Country''.<ref name="peoplebio" /> Cruz stated that she had difficulties understanding people speaking English while she was filming ''The Hi-Lo Country''.<ref name="peoplebio" /> The film was critically and commercially unsuccessful.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hilo_country/ |title=The Hi-Lo Country (1998) |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=24 April 2010 |archive-date=23 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100423125309/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hilo_country/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=hi-locountry.htm |title=The Hi-Lo Country |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=24 April 2010 |archive-date=19 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100519181937/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=hi-locountry.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Kevin Lally of the ''Film Journal International'' commented in his review for the film that "in an ironic casting twist, the Spanish actress Penélope Cruz [...] is much more appealing as Josepha [than in her previous roles]".<ref>{{cite news |title=Hi-Lo Country, The |work=Film Journal International |publisher=Nielsen Business Media Inc |first=Kevin |last=Lally |access-date=24 April 2010 |url=http://www.filmjournal.com/filmjournal/esearch/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000697968 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019132803/http://www.filmjournal.com/filmjournal/esearch/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000697968 |archive-date=19 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> For her performance in the film, she was nominated for an ALMA Award for Best Actress.
Also in 1998, Cruz appeared in ''Don Juan'' and the Spanish period drama ''The Girl of Your Dreams''. In ''The Girl of Your Dreams'' (La niña de tus ojos), Cruz portrayed Macarena Granada, a singer who is in an on-and-off relationship with Antonio Resines's character Blas. They are part of a Francoist film troupe that travels from Spain during the Spanish Civil War to Nazi Germany for a joint production with UFA. Cruz's performance in the film was praised by film critics, with Jonathan Holloland of ''Variety'' magazine writing "if confirmation is still needed that Cruz is an actress first and a pretty face second, then here it is".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117913687.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205134038/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117913687.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 February 2013 |title=The Girl of Your Dreams |first=Jonathan |last=Holloland |work=Variety |publisher=Reed Business Information |date=16 November 1998 |access-date=24 April 2010 }}</ref> A writer for ''Film4'' commented that "Cruz herself is the inevitable focus of the film" but noted that overall the film "looks great".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.film4.com/reviews/1998/girl-of-your-dreams-the |title=Girl of Your Dreams, The |publisher=Film4 |access-date=24 April 2010 |archive-date=12 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121212045907/http://www.film4.com/reviews/1998/girl-of-your-dreams-the |url-status=live }}</ref> Cruz's role as Macarena has been viewed as her "largest role to date".<ref name="peoplebio" /> For her performance, Cruz received a Goya Award and Spanish Actors' Union Award, and was nominated for a European Film Award.<ref>{{cite web|title=Awards for Penélope Cruz|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004851/awards|work=Internet Movie Database|access-date=18 April 2013|archive-date=24 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130924051601/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004851/awards|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1999, Cruz worked with Almodóvar again in ''All About My Mother'', playing Sister María Rosa Sanz, a pregnant nun with AIDS.<ref name="peoplebio" /> The film received favorable reviews,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/all_about_my_mother |title=All About My Mother (1999) |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=24 April 2010 |archive-date=20 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100220100614/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/all_about_my_mother/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and was commercially successful, grossing over $67 million worldwide, although it performed better at the box office internationally than domestically.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=allaboutmymother.htm |title=All About My Mother |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=24 April 2010 |archive-date=3 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100403170950/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=allaboutmymother.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2000, she appeared in ''Woman on Top'' in the lead female role as Isabelle, a world-class chef who suffered from motion sickness since birth, her first American lead role.<ref name="peoplebio" /> Lisa Nesselson of ''Variety'' magazine praised the performances of both Cruz and her co-star, Harold Perrineau, saying they "burst off the screen", and added that Cruz has a charming accent.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117787668.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130208225637/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117787668.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 February 2013 |title=Women on Top |first=Lisa |last=Nesselson |work=Variety |publisher=Reed Business Information |date=26 July 2000 |access-date=24 April 2010 }}</ref> BBC News film critic Jane Crowther said that "Cruz is wonderfully ditzy as the innocent abroad" but remarked that "it's Harold Perrineau Jr as Monica who pockets the movie".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2001/01/24/woman_on_top_2001_review.shtml |title=Woman on Top (2001) |first=Jane |last=Crowther |publisher=BBC |date=24 January 2001 |access-date=24 April 2010 |archive-date=12 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100112064849/http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2001/01/24/woman_on_top_2001_review.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> Annlee Ellingson of ''Box Office'' magazine wrote "Cruz is stunning in the role—innocent and vulnerable yet possessing a mature grace and determined strength, all while sizzling with unchecked sensuality."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://boxoffice.com/reviews/2008/08/woman-on-top.php |title=Woman on Top |work=Box Office |first=Annlee |last=Ellington |date=1 August 2008 |access-date=24 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100107122942/http://boxoffice.com/reviews/2008/08/woman-on-top.php |archive-date=7 January 2010 }}</ref> Also in 2000, she played Alejandra Villarreal, who is Matt Damon's love interest in Billy Bob Thornton's film adaptation of the western bestselling novel ''All the Pretty Horses''.<ref name="peoplebio" /> Susan Stark of ''The Detroit News'' commented that in the film Thornton was able to guide Damon, Henry Thomas and Cruz to "their most impressive performances in a major movie yet".<ref>{{cite news |title=Film Review: All the Pretty Horses |work=The Detroit News |first=Susan |last=Stark}}</ref> However, Bob Longigo of ''The Atlanta Journal-Constitution '' was less enthusiastic about Cruz's and Damon's performance, saying that their "resulting onscreen chemistry would hardly warm a can of beans".<ref>{{cite web |author=Longigo |first=Bob |title=All Pretty Horses |url=http://mo.daytondailynews.com/movies/content/shared/movies/reviews/A/alltheprettyhorses.html |work=Ohio Daily News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522080100/http://mo.daytondailynews.com/movies/content/shared/movies/reviews/A/alltheprettyhorses.html |archive-date=22 May 2013 |access-date=20 December 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===2001–2005: Breakthrough=== 2001 marked a turning point year when Cruz starred in the feature films ''Vanilla Sky'' and ''Blow''. In ''Vanilla Sky'', Cameron Crowe's interpretation of ''Open Your Eyes'', she played Sofia Serrano, the love interest of Tom Cruise's character. The film received mixed reviews,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/vanilla_sky/ |title=Vanilla Sky (2001) |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=22 April 2010 |archive-date=29 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329163146/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/vanilla_sky/ |url-status=live }}</ref> but made $200 million worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=vanillasky.htm |title=Vanilla Sky |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=22 April 2010 |archive-date=5 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605161534/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=vanillasky.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Her performance was well received by critics, with BBC film critic Brandon Graydon saying that Cruz "is an enchanting screen presence",<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2002/01/17/vanilla_sky_2002_review.shtml |title=Vanilla Sky (2002) |first=Brandon |last=Graydon |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC Online |date=24 January 2002 |access-date=23 April 2010 |archive-date=5 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105161031/http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2002/01/17/vanilla_sky_2002_review.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> and Ethan Alter of the ''Film Journal International'' noting that Cruz and her co-star Cruise were "able to generate some actual chemistry".<ref>{{cite news |first=Ethan |last=Alter |url=http://www.filmjournal.com/filmjournal/esearch/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000696310 |title=VANILLA SKY |work=Film Journal International |publisher=Nielsen Business Media Inc |access-date=23 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907010304/http://www.filmjournal.com/filmjournal/esearch/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000696310 |archive-date=7 September 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Her next film was ''Blow'', adapted from Bruce Porter's 1993 book ''Blow: How a Small Town Boy Made $100 million with the Medellín Cocaine Cartel and Lost It All''. She had a supporting role as Mirtha Jung, the wife of Johnny Depp's character. The film received mixed reviews,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/blow/ |title=Blow (2001) |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=23 April 2010 |archive-date=21 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100221230240/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/blow/ |url-status=live }}</ref> but made $80 million worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=blow.htm |title=Blow |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=23 April 2010 |archive-date=12 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100312083539/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=blow.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Nina Willdorf of the ''Boston Phoenix'' described Cruz as "multi-talented"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/movies/trailers/documents/01228058.htm |title=Short Reviews: Blow |first=Nina |last=Willdrof |work=Boston Phoenix |date=April 2001 |access-date=23 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100112011400/http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/movies/trailers/documents/01228058.htm |archive-date=12 January 2010 }}</ref> and Mark Salvo of ''The Austin Chronicle'' wrote "I may be one of the last male holdouts to join the Cruz-Rules camp, but her tour de force performance here sucks you right in."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Calendar/Film?Film=oid%3a141084 |title=Blow |work=The Austin Chronicle |first=Mark |last=Salvo |date=6 April 2001 |access-date=23 April 2010 |archive-date=28 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728040517/https://www.austinchronicle.com/events/film/2001-04-06/141084/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Penélope Cruz 2003.jpg|thumb|upright|Cruz at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival]]
In 2001, she also appeared in ''Don't Tempt Me'', playing Carmen Ramos. The film received negative reviews.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/dont_tempt_me/?page=1&critic=approved&sortby=date&name_order=asc&view=#contentReviews |title=Don't Tempt Me (2003) |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=22 April 2010 |archive-date=18 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110918015023/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/dont_tempt_me/?page=1&critic=approved&sortby=date&name_order=asc&view=#contentReviews |url-status=live }}</ref> Jeff Vice of the ''Deseret News'' commented that "unfortunately, casting Cruz as a tough girl is a hilariously bad [idea]"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700003414/Dont-Tempt-Me.html |first=Jeff |last=Vice |title=Don't Tempt Me |work=Deseret News |date=11 December 2003 |access-date=22 April 2010 |archive-date=13 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313223445/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700003414/Dont-Tempt-Me.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> and Michael Miller of the ''Village Voice'' writing that "as Satan's helper Carmen, Penélope Cruz doesn't hold a candle to her cocaine-huffing enabler in ''Blow''".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2003-08-19/film/god-must-be-crazy-the-fight-over-an-idiot-boxer-s-soul/1 |title=God Must Be Crazy: The Fight Over an Idiot Boxer's Soul |first=Michael |last=Miller |work=Village Voice |date=13 August 2003 |access-date=22 April 2010 |archive-date=8 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308223240/http://www.villagevoice.com/2003-08-19/film/god-must-be-crazy-the-fight-over-an-idiot-boxer-s-soul/1/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Cruz's last film in 2001 was ''Captain Corelli's Mandolin'', film adaption of the novel of the same name. She played Pelagia, who falls in love with another man while her fiancé is in battle during the Second World War. ''Captain Corelli's Mandolin'' was not well received by critics,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/captain_corellis_mandolin/?page=2&critic=columns&sortby=date&name_order=asc&view=#contentReviews |title=Captain Corelli's Mandolin (2001) |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=22 April 2010 |archive-date=20 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420013354/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/captain_corellis_mandolin/?page=2&critic=columns&sortby=date&name_order=asc&view=#contentReviews |url-status=live }}</ref> but made $62 million worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=captaincorellismandolin.htm |title=Captain Corelli's Mandolin |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=22 April 2010 |archive-date=19 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100519185647/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=captaincorellismandolin.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2002, she had a minor role in ''Waking Up in Reno''. It had negative reviews<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/waking_up_in_reno/ |title=Waking Up in reno (2002) |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=22 April 2010 |archive-date=26 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426035451/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/waking_up_in_reno |url-status=live }}</ref> and was a box office failure.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=wakingupinreno.htm |title=Waking Up in Reno |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=22 April 2010 |archive-date=19 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100519181745/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=wakingupinreno.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The following year, Cruz had a supporting role in the horror film ''Gothika'' as Chloe Sava, a patient at a mental hospital. David Rooney of ''Variety'' wrote that Cruz "adds a serviceably malevolent edge to Chloe's apparent madness".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117922417.html?categoryid=31&cs=1 |title=Gothika |first=David |last=Rooney |work=Variety |publisher=Reed Business Information |date=17 November 2003 |access-date=22 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100728075339/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117922417.html?categoryid=31&cs=1 |archive-date=28 July 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Cruz's performance in ''Fanfan la Tulipe'', also in 2003, was not well received, Peter Bradshaw of ''The Guardian'' commenting that Cruz "deserves a special Cannes Razzie for a performance of purest teak".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2003/may/15/artsfeatures.cannes20031 |title=Fanfan la Tulipe |first=Peter |last=Bradshaw |work=The Guardian |publisher=Guardian News and Media Limited |date=15 May 2003 |access-date=22 April 2010 |archive-date=30 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030100154/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2003/may/15/artsfeatures.cannes20031 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2004, Cruz appeared in the Christmas film ''Noel'' as Nina, the girlfriend of Paul Walker's character<ref>{{cite web |url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/565/565530p1.html |title=Noel |first=Jeff |last=Otto |website=IGN |date=11 November 2004 |access-date=22 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113123224/http://movies.ign.com/articles/565/565530p1.html |archive-date=13 January 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and as Mia in the 1930s set romantic drama ''Head in the Clouds'', set in the 1930s.<ref name="headinthecludsreview"/> Bruce Birkland of ''Jam! Canoe'' wrote, "The story feels forced and the performances dreary, with the notable exception of Cruz, who seems to be in a different film from the rest of the cast."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://jam.canoe.com/Movies/Reviews/H/Head_In_The_Clouds/2004/10/22/753125.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151103221124/http://jam.canoe.com/Movies/Reviews/H/Head_In_The_Clouds/2004/10/22/753125.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 November 2015 |title=Eyes cloud over |first=Bruce |last=Birkland |publisher=Jam! |access-date=22 April 2010 }}</ref> Desson Thompson of ''The Washington Post'' was more critical; his comment about the character's "pronounced limp" was that "Cruz (hardly the world's greatest actress) can't even perform without looking fake".<ref name="headinthecludsreview">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A51727-2004Oct21.html |title='Head in the Clouds': Throw This Movie Up There, Too |first=Desson |last=Thompson |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=22 October 2004 |access-date=22 April 2010 |archive-date=10 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110123302/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A51727-2004Oct21.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The film performed poorly at the box office.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=headintheclouds.htm |title=Head in the Clouds |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=22 April 2010 |archive-date=19 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100519181735/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=headintheclouds.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> She also starred in Sergio Castellitto's melodrama ''Don't Move'', competing with Sabrina Impacciatore for the leading role<ref name="Castellitto">{{cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2011/04/penelope-cruz-woody-allen-pirates-johhyn-depp-italy-sergio-castellitto-venuto-al-mondo.html|title=Penelope Cruz reunites with Italian director Sergio Castellitto for new film|last=Zeitchik|first=Steven|date=18 April 2011|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=19 April 2011|archive-date=26 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026113705/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2011/04/penelope-cruz-woody-allen-pirates-johhyn-depp-italy-sergio-castellitto-venuto-al-mondo.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Cruz, who learned Italian for the role, won the David di Donatello for her performance.<ref>David di Donatello [http://www.daviddidonatello.it/english/cercavincitori3.php?idsoggetto=157&annovinci=2004 ''Migliore attrice protagonista 2004''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725063430/http://www.daviddidonatello.it/english/cercavincitori3.php?idsoggetto=157&annovinci=2004 |date=25 July 2011 }}</ref> She also won the European Film Award for Best Actress for the film in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.europeanfilmacademy.org/european-film-awards-2004/|title=European Film Awards 2004|publisher=European Film Academy|access-date=19 April 2011|archive-date=29 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100729202825/http://www.europeanfilmacademy.org/european-film-awards-2004/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In 2005, Cruz appeared as Dr. Eva Rojas in the action adventure ''Sahara''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Penelope Cruz and Matthew McConaughey get sultry in "Sahara"|url=http://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/articles/5622/penelope-cruz-and-matthew-mcconaughey-get-sultry-in-and-quotsahara-and-quot|access-date=18 April 2013|newspaper=www.sheknows.com|archive-date=23 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823080633/http://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/articles/5622/penelope-cruz-and-matthew-mcconaughey-get-sultry-in-and-quotsahara-and-quot|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Germain|first=David|title=Penelope Cruz on "Sahara"|url=http://www.edgenewyork.com/entertainment/movies/features//37321/penelope_cruz_on_%22sahara%22|access-date=18 April 2013|newspaper=edgenewyork.com|date=5 April 2005|archive-date=7 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907010602/http://www.edgenewyork.com/entertainment/movies/features//37321/penelope_cruz_on_%22sahara%22|url-status=live}}</ref> She earned $1.6 million for her supporting role.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-movie15apr15,0,6005119.story |title=$78 million of red ink? |work=Los Angeles Times |first=Glenn F. |last=Bunting |date=15 April 2007 |access-date=21 April 2010 |archive-date=26 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090926091154/http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-movie15apr15,0,6005119.story |url-status=live }}</ref> The film grossed $110 million worldwide but did not recoup its $160 million budget. Moviefone dubbed the film "one of the most famous flops in history" and in 2007, listed it at 24 on its list of "Biggest Box-Office Turkeys of All Time".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://insidemovies.moviefone.com/2007/11/15/biggest-box-office-bombs/ |title=Biggest Box-Office Turkeys of All Time |publisher=Moviefone |author=Moviefone Satff |date=15 November 2007 |access-date=21 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414122137/http://insidemovies.moviefone.com/2007/11/15/biggest-box-office-bombs |archive-date=14 April 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Lori Hoffman of the ''Atlantic City Weekly'' felt Cruz put her "considerable [acting] skills on cruise control as Dr Eva Rojas"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.atlanticcityweekly.com/news-and-views/hot_millions-50660347.html |title=Sahara is a movie with Indiana Jones aspirations that plays more like a low-rent 007 clone. |first=Lori |last=Hoffman |work=Atlantic City Weekly |publisher=Review Publishing |date=21 April 2005 |access-date=21 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521184755/http://www.atlanticcityweekly.com/news-and-views/hot_millions-50660347.html |archive-date=21 May 2013 }}</ref> and James Berardnelli of ReelViews described Cruz's performance as a "black hole", that she "lacks screen presence".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reelviews.net/php_review_template.php?identifier=1245 |title=Sahara |first=James |last=Berardnelli |publisher=ReelViews |access-date=22 April 2010 |archive-date=6 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100706233921/http://www.reelviews.net/php_review_template.php?identifier=1245 |url-status=live }}</ref> Also in 2005, Cruz appeared in ''Chromophobia'', screened at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival and released the following year. Mathew Turner of ''View London'' said Cruz's character Gloria, a cancer-riddled prostitute, is "actually more interesting than the main storyline"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/films/chromophobia-film-review-21189.html |title=The ViewLondon Review |work=2 View Group Ltd |first=Mathew |last=Turner |date=12 December 2007 |access-date=22 April 2010 |archive-date=17 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617102301/http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/films/chromophobia-film-review-21189.html |url-status=live }}</ref> while Time Evan's of ''Sky Movies'' wrote, "The Cruz/Ifans storyline—featuring the only two remotely sympathetic characters—never really fuses with the main plot."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://movies.sky.com/review/chromophobia |title=Chromophobia |publisher=Sky Movies |first=Tim |last=Evans |access-date=22 April 2010 |archive-date=28 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728040510/https://www.sky.com/tv/channel/skycinema |url-status=live }}</ref> Her final 2005 film was ''Don't Move'' playing Italia. Eric Harrison of the ''Houston Chronicle'' noted that Cruz "goes all out" with her appearance<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ae/movies/reviews/3189981.html |title=Don't Move |first=Eric |last=Harrison |work=The Houston Chronicle |date=5 June 2005 |access-date=22 April 2010 |archive-date=28 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728040442/https://www.chron.com/entertainment/movies/article/Don-t-Move-1947671.php |url-status=live }}</ref> and Patrick Peters of ''Empire'' magazine commented that the film's director, who also appears in the film, was able to draw a "sensitive performance" from Cruz.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.empireonline.com/reviews/ReviewComplete.asp?FID=10985 |title=Don't Move (15) |first=Patrick |last=Peters |work=Empire |publisher=Bauer Consumer Media |date=1 April 2006 |access-date=22 April 2010 |archive-date=19 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119221604/http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/ReviewComplete.asp?FID=10985 |url-status=live }}</ref>
===2006–2009: Worldwide recognition=== [[File:Penélope Cruz.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Cruz at the 80th Academy Awards in 2008]]
Cruz appeared alongside her good friend Salma Hayek in the 2006 Western comedy film ''Bandidas''. Randy Cordova of ''The Arizona Republic'' said the film "sports" Cruz and her co-star Salma Hayek as the "lusty dream team" and that they were the "marketing fantasy" for the film.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.azcentral.com/ent/movies/articles/1013bandidas1013.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729131819/http://www.azcentral.com/ent/movies/articles/1013bandidas1013.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 July 2012 |title=Bandidas |first=Randy |last=Cordova |work=The Arizona Republic |publisher=AZcentral.com |date=13 October 2006 |access-date=20 April 2010 }}</ref> Also in 2006, Cruz received favourable reviews for her performance as Raimunda, a working-class woman forced to go to great lengths to protect her 14-year-old daughter Paula, in Pedro Almodóvar's ''Volver''. A.O. Scott of ''The New York Times'' remarked, "With this role Ms. Cruz inscribes her name near the top of any credible list of present-day flesh-and-blood screen goddesses, in no small part because she manages to be earthy, unpretentious and a little vulgar without shedding an ounce of her natural glamour."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/03/movies/03volv.html|title=Volver – Pedro Almodóvar – Penélope Cruz – Movies – Review|first=A. O.|last=Scott|newspaper=The New York Times|date=3 November 2006|access-date=11 December 2018|archive-date=12 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912204547/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/03/movies/03volv.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Likewise, Carina Chocano of ''The Los Angeles Times'' wrote, "Cruz, who has remarked that in Hollywood she's rarely allowed to be anything more than pretty, instills her with an awesome resoluteness and strength of character."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/reviews/cl-et-volver3nov03,0,1743176.story |title=Volver |first=Carina |last=Chocano |work=The Los Angeles Times |date=3 October 2006 |access-date=21 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071127040317/http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/reviews/cl-et-volver3nov03%2C0%2C1743176.story |archive-date=27 November 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> She shared a Best Actress award at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival with five of her co-stars, as well as receiving a Goya Award and European Film Award, and was nominated for the Golden Globe, the Screen Actors Guild Award, the BAFTA Award, and the Academy Award for Best Actress in a leading role. With this nomination, Cruz became the first Spanish actress ever nominated for an Academy Award.<ref name="vanityfairpage2"/>
In 2007, Cruz appeared in the lead female role in ''Manolete'', a biopic of bullfighter Manuel Laureano Rodríguez Sánchez, playing Antoñita "Lupe" Sino. The film was critically panned, and ''Variety'' felt that Cruz has "clearly been cast to play the kind of red-hot drama queen she's pulled off infinitely better in the films of Pedro Almodovar".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2010/film/reviews/manolete-1117942535/|title=Manolete|first1=Jordan|last1=Mintzer|date=5 April 2010|access-date=11 December 2018|archive-date=28 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728040452/https://variety.com/2010/film/reviews/manolete-1117942535/|url-status=live}}</ref> After being shelved since 2007, ''Manolete'' (originally shot in 2005<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2011/03/adrien-brody-penelope-cruz-pic-a-matadors-mistress-bypasses-theatrical-for-vod-release-by-gravitas-ventures-113721/|title=Adrien Brody-Penelope Cruz Pic 'A Matador's Mistress' Bypasses Theatrical For VOD Release By Gravitas Ventures|last=Fleming|first=Mike|date=14 March 2011|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=16 March 2011|archive-date=16 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110316101721/http://www.deadline.com/2011/03/adrien-brody-penelope-cruz-pic-a-matadors-mistress-bypasses-theatrical-for-vod-release-by-gravitas-ventures/|url-status=live}}</ref>) released on demand via cable, satellite, telco and online on 7 June 2011 under the title ''A Matador's Mistress''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/adrien_brody_penelope_cruzs_manolete_aka_blood_passion_aka_a_matadors|title=Adrien Brody & Penelope Cruz's 'Manolete' aka 'Blood & Passion' aka 'A Matador's Mistress' Gets Date|last=Jagernauth|first=Kevin|date=14 March 2011|publisher=indie Wire|access-date=21 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120812001149/http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/adrien_brody_penelope_cruzs_manolete_aka_blood_passion_aka_a_matadors|archive-date=12 August 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/penelope-cruz-and-adrien-brody-steam-up-the-screen-in-long-awaited-a-matadors-mistress-119240894.html|title=Penelope Cruz and Adrien Brody Steam Up The Screen in Long-Awaited "A Matador's Mistress"|date=5 April 2011|publisher=Xenon Pictures|access-date=5 April 2011|archive-date=8 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110408173427/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/penelope-cruz-and-adrien-brody-steam-up-the-screen-in-long-awaited-a-matadors-mistress-119240894.html|url-status=live}}</ref> She also appeared in ''The Good Night'', playing two characters, Anna and Melody.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/good_night/ |title=The Good Night (2007) |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=21 April 2010 |archive-date=7 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100307081734/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/good_night/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=goodnight.htm |title=The Good Night |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=21 April 2010 |archive-date=19 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100519185846/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=goodnight.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> TV Guide film critic Maitland McDonagh noted that in the film Cruz "expertly mines the contrast between chic, compliant, white-clad Anna and funky, street-wise Melody, who treats [Martin Freeman's character] Gary like the world-class drag he is".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://movies.tvguide.com/good-night/review/290845 |title=The Good Night |first=Maitland |last=McDonagh |work=TV Guide |publisher=OpenGate Capital |date=5 October 2007 |access-date=20 April 2010 |archive-date=6 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206150839/http://movies.tvguide.com/good-night/review/290845 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
[[File:Penélope Cruz 2009.jpg|thumb|upright|Cruz at the 81st Academy Awards in 2009, where she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress]]
In 2008, Cruz starred alongside Ben Kingsley in Isabel Coixet's film ''Elegy'', which was based on the Philip Roth story ''The Dying Animal'', as the lead female role, Consuela Castillo.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/movies/item_2Qqss2TlqOUYGEYaO42jBM |title=Deluded Pupil |first=Lindaa |last=Stasi |work=New York Post |date=8 August 2008 |access-date=20 April 2010 |archive-date=5 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605224506/http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/movies/item_2Qqss2TlqOUYGEYaO42jBM |url-status=live }}</ref> Ray Bennett of ''The Hollywood Reporter'' described Cruz's performance as being "outstanding in an otherwise lame male fantasy [film]".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/elegy-125396 |title=Elegy |first=Ray |last=Bennett |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=11 February 2008 |access-date=21 October 2012 |archive-date=7 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907010353/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/elegy-125396 |url-status=live }}</ref> That same year, Cruz appeared in Woody Allen's ''Vicky Cristina Barcelona'' as María Elena, a mentally unstable woman, which was received with critical acclaim. Writing for the ''San Francisco Chronicle'', Mick LaSalle noted, "But the revelation is Penélope Cruz, who has never been better in an American film. Suddenly, and for the first time, her stardom makes sense. As Maria Elena, José Antonio's gifted and neurotic ex-wife, Cruz is on fire – hysterically funny, abandoned, passionate, poignant, with a performance full of shading and wide in range. She's as fun and as powerful as Anna Magnani, and beautiful besides. Cruz just needed somebody to turn her loose."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Movie-review-Vicky-Cristina-Barcelona-3199602.php|title=Movie review: 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona'|first=Mick|last=LaSalle|date=15 August 2008|website=SFGate|access-date=11 December 2018|archive-date=15 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215175313/https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Movie-review-Vicky-Cristina-Barcelona-3199602.php|url-status=live}}</ref> Likewise, Peter Bradshaw of ''The Guardian'' singled her out for praise, writing: "Cruz, playing Maria Elena, the passionate and crazy ex-wife of a moody Picasso-ish artist, looks as if she has wandered in from a more hefty film entirely; everything she does and says seems to mean more, count for more. This isn't to say that she gets bigger laughs, or perhaps any laughs, but she certainly walks off with the film".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/feb/06/woody-allen-vicky-cristina-barcelona-scarlett-johansson-penelope-cruz |title=Vicky Cristina Barcelona |first=Peter |last=Bradshaw |work=The Guardian |location=UK |publisher=Guardian News and Media Limited |date=6 February 2009 |access-date=20 April 2010 |archive-date=23 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023065200/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/feb/06/woody-allen-vicky-cristina-barcelona-scarlett-johansson-penelope-cruz |url-status=live }}</ref> Cruz received a Goya Award and her first Academy Award and BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress. She also received a Golden Globe and SAG nomination. With her Oscar win, Cruz became the first, and to date only, Spanish actress to ever be awarded an Academy Award,<ref name="cbsnewspage1">{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/01/15/60minutes/main6101587.shtml |title=The Rising Star of Penelope Cruz (Page 1) |work=CBS News |first=Charlie |last=Ross |date=17 January 2010 |access-date=25 April 2010 |archive-date=23 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100123020655/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/01/15/60minutes/main6101587.shtml |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-oscars-cruz-sb/penelope-cruz-wins-first-oscar-for-spanish-actress-idUSTRE51M19B20090223|title=Penelope Cruz wins first Oscar for Spanish actress|last=Zeidler|first=Sue|date=22 February 2009|website=Reuters|access-date=3 April 2011|archive-date=7 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307160804/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-oscars-cruz-sb/penelope-cruz-wins-first-oscar-for-spanish-actress-idUSTRE51M19B20090223|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as the sixth Hispanic performer to have received the award.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2009/feb/27/penelope-cruz-carmen-miranda |first=David |last=Parkinson |date=27 February 2009 |title=Hollywood loves foreigners, so long as they're not the stars |work=The Guardian |access-date=25 April 2010 |archive-date=3 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151103221627/http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2009/feb/27/penelope-cruz-carmen-miranda |url-status=live }}</ref>
Cruz's next film was the kid-friendly ''G-Force'',<ref name="g-force">{{cite web |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20289826,00.html |title=Penélope Cruz: Kids, Si; Husband, No |work=People |publisher=Time Warner Inc |first=Kristen |last=Boehm |date=7 July 2009 |access-date=14 March 2010 |archive-date=29 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110329021620/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20289826,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> voicing a guinea pig spy named Juarez.<ref name="g-force" /> ''G-Force'' was a commercial success, making over $290 million worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=g-force.htm |title=G-Force |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=21 April 2010 |archive-date=10 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100410192757/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=g-force.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Also in 2009, she appeared in the film ''Broken Embraces'' as Lena. Stephanie Zacharek of Salon.com noted in her review for the film that Cruz "doesn't coast on her beauty in ''Broken Embraces'', and she has the kind of role that can be difficult to flesh out".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.salon.com/entertainment/broken_embraces/index.html?story=/ent/movies/review/2009/11/18/broken_embraces |title="Broken Embraces" and the ties that bind |first=Stephanie |last=Zacharek |work=Salon.com |publisher=Salon Media Group, Inc |date=18 November 2009 |access-date=20 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091123062809/http://www.salon.com/entertainment/broken_embraces/index.html?story=%2Fent%2Fmovies%2Freview%2F2009%2F11%2F18%2Fbroken_embraces |archive-date=23 November 2009 }}</ref> Cruz received nominations from the Satellite Awards and European Film Awards for her performance in ''Broken Embraces''. Cruz's final 2009 film was the film version of the musical ''Nine'', playing the character Carla Albanese, the lead character's mistress. ''Variety'' reported that Cruz originally auditioned for the role of the film within a film's star,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2009/film/markets-festivals/oscar-winners-abound-in-nine-1118007662/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205094727/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118007662.html |url-status=live |archive-date=5 February 2013 |title=Oscar winners abound in 'Nine' |first=Jon |last=Burlingame |work=Variety |publisher=Reed Business Information |date=24 August 2009 |access-date=20 April 2010 }}</ref> Claudia, which eventually went to Nicole Kidman. Cruz said that she trained for three months for the dance routine in the film.<ref name="cbsnewspage1"/> Claudia Puig of ''USA Today'' commented that while Cruz "does a steamy song and dance", her "acting is strangely caricatured".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2009-12-18-nine18_ST_N.htm |title='Nine' is short on a few counts, including dialogue, music |first=Claudia |last=Puig |work=USA Today |publisher=Gannett Co. Inc |date=20 November 2009 |access-date=20 April 2010 |archive-date=23 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100123154941/http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2009-12-18-nine18_ST_N.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Cruz's performance as Carla was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, and SAG Awards.
===2010–2015: Established actress=== [[File:Penélope Cruz @ 2010 Academy Awards (cropped 2).jpg|thumb|upright|left|Cruz at the 82nd Academy Awards in 2010, where she received her third Academy Award nomination]]
Cruz's only film in 2010 was ''Sex and the City 2'', the sequel to the 2008 film, in which she appeared as a banker in a cameo role.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thinkspain.com/news-spain/17901/penelope-cruz-confirms-cameo-role-in-sex-and-the-city-ii |title=Penélope Cruz confirms cameo role in Sex and the city II |publisher=Think Spain |access-date=1 May 2010 |archive-date=3 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303111615/http://www.thinkspain.com/news-spain/17901/penelope-cruz-confirms-cameo-role-in-sex-and-the-city-ii |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://elpais.com/elpais/2010/04/13/actualidad/1271141332_850215.html |title=Penélope Cruz, otra chica para 'Sexo en Nueva York' |trans-title=Penelope Cruz, another girl for 'Sex and the City' |first=Manme |last=Guerra |work=El País |date=13 April 2010 |access-date=2 May 2010 |language=es |archive-date=25 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525032036/http://elpais.com/elpais/2010/04/13/actualidad/1271141332_850215.html |url-status=live }}</ref> A commercial success, the comedy film was largely panned by critics.<ref name="tomatoes">{{cite web| title = Sex and the City 2 (2010)| url = https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sex_and_the_city_2/| website = Rotten Tomatoes| access-date = 10 March 2016| archive-date = 11 April 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180411161925/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sex_and_the_city_2/| url-status = live}}</ref> Cruz appeared in her biggest Hollywood turn to date in Rob Marshall's ''Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides'', the fourth installment of the film series, opposite Johnny Depp. In the film, Cruz portrayed Angelica, a former love interest of Jack Sparrow, who blames him for her corruption. Cruz was the only actress considered for the role, as she fit Marshall's description. He invited her for the role as they wrapped the production of ''Nine''.<ref name=comm/> The actress spent two months working out and learning fencing for the role.<ref name=armada>{{Cite news | title= La armada invencible española viaja a 'Piratas del Caribe 4' | work= El País | date= 29 June 2010 | url= http://blogs.elpais.com/version-muy-original/2010/06/la-armada-invencible-espa%C3%B1ola-viaja-a-piratas-del-caribe-4.html | access-date= 4 July 2010 | language= es | archive-date= 12 January 2012 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120112233042/http://blogs.elpais.com/version-muy-original/2010/06/la-armada-invencible-espa%C3%B1ola-viaja-a-piratas-del-caribe-4.html | url-status= live }}</ref> During filming, Cruz discovered she was pregnant, leading the costume department to redesign her wardrobe to be more elastic,<ref name=comm>{{cite video|people=Rob Marshall, John DeLuca|title=Audio commentary for Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides|location=Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Blu-Ray|publisher=Walt Disney Home Entertainment}}</ref> and the producers to hire her sister Mónica Cruz to double for Penélope in risky scenes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-05-14 |title=Cruz's sister used as body double |url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/movies/cruzs-sister-used-as-body-double/26732889.html |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=Irish Independent |language=en}}</ref> ''On Stranger Tides'' ranks among the highest-grossing films of all time, grossing more than $1.046 billion in box-office receipts worldwide.<ref name="mojopotc4">{{cite web |title=Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011) |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=piratesofthecaribbean4.htm |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=22 August 2011 |archive-date=25 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130425015645/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=piratesofthecaribbean4.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> On 1 April 2011, prior to the film's release, Cruz received the 2,436th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in front of the El Capitan Theatre. She became the first Spanish actress to receive a Star.<ref name="1st star">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12951069|title=Penelope Cruz receives Hollywood Walk of Fame star|date=3 April 2011|publisher=BBC|access-date=3 April 2011|archive-date=4 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110404035538/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12951069|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodchamber.net/index.php?module=blogs&blog_id=40|title=Penelope Cruz to be Honored with Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame|last=Martinez|first=Ana|date=28 March 2011|publisher=Hollywood Chamber|access-date=3 April 2011|archive-date=5 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110405171212/http://www.hollywoodchamber.net/index.php?module=blogs&blog_id=40|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2012, Cruz appeared in the first ever Nintendo commercial to promote ''New Super Mario Bros. 2'' and the Nintendo 3DS XL in which she played the role of Mario in the ad.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slashgear.com/new-super-mario-bros-2-grabs-penelope-cruz-for-dress-up-spot-17243208/|title=Penelope Cruz goes Mario in "New Super Mario Bros. 2" Commercial|last=Burns|first=Chris|date=17 August 2012|work=SlashGear|access-date=17 August 2012|archive-date=21 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120821022945/http://www.slashgear.com/new-super-mario-bros-2-grabs-penelope-cruz-for-dress-up-spot-17243208/|url-status=live}}</ref> She spoke Italian again, this time in Woody Allen's romantic ensemble comedy film ''To Rome with Love'', in which she portrayed a street-smart prostitute who agrees to pretend to be the wife of a newlywed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.movieweb.com/news/ellen-page-and-penelope-cruz-join-untitled-woody-allen-project|title=Ellen Page and Penelope Cruz Join Untitled Woody Allen Project|last=Gallagher|first=Brian|date=13 April 2011|publisher=Movie Web|access-date=22 April 2011|archive-date=29 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929074755/http://www.movieweb.com/news/ellen-page-and-penelope-cruz-join-untitled-woody-allen-project|url-status=dead}}</ref> Fond to work with her again, Allen compared Cruz's play in the film with that of Italian icons Anna Magnani and Sophia Loren.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/once-more-with-feeling-20121011-27e4q.html|title=Once more, with feeling|last=Cooney Carrillo|first=Jenny|date=12 October 2012|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=10 March 2016|archive-date=28 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728040440/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/once-more-with-feeling-20121011-27e4q.html|url-status=live}}</ref> While the film received mixed reviews,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/to_rome_with_love/ |title=To Rome with Love |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=25 June 2012 |archive-date=15 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815140545/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/to_rome_with_love |url-status=live }}</ref> Cruz was reviewed favourably for her "exuberantly, cartoonishly sexy" performance, which ''The Week'' cited as a stand out.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theweek.com/articles/474375/rome-love-another-win-woody-allen|title=To Rome With Love: Another win for Woody Allen?|work=The Week|date=22 June 2012|access-date=7 March 2016|archive-date=10 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310015120/http://theweek.com/articles/474375/rome-love-another-win-woody-allen|url-status=live}}</ref> The same year, Cruz also reunited with Italian director Sergio Castellitto in his war tale ''Twice Born'' about an infertile Italian woman who returns to relive her past in Sarajevo.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.slashfilm.com/twice-born-trailer-penelope-cruz-and-emile-hirsch-star-in-a-tale-of-motherhood-and-war/|title= 'Twice Born' Trailer: Penelope Cruz and Emile Hirsch Star In A Tale Of Motherhood And War|first= Germain|last= Lussier|work= slashfilm.com|date= 5 September 2012|access-date= 17 September 2012|archive-date= 19 October 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121019043243/http://www.slashfilm.com/twice-born-trailer-penelope-cruz-and-emile-hirsch-star-in-a-tale-of-motherhood-and-war/|url-status= live}}</ref> An adaptation of Castellitto's wife Margaret Mazzantini's same-titled bestseller, Cruz portrayed the transitional character at different phases in her life, ranging from her early twenties to her late forties.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/sep/18/penelope-cruz-twice-born|title=Penélope Cruz: 'Twice Born is a homage to motherhood'|first=Catherine|last=Shoard|work=The Guardian|date=5 March 2016|access-date=18 September 2012|archive-date=9 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109052344/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/sep/18/penelope-cruz-twice-born|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite receiving little praise from critics, Cruz's performance opposite Emile Hirsch earned positive reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/twice-born-2013|title=Twice Born Review|first=Christy|last=Lemire|website=Roger Ebert|date=6 December 2013|access-date=8 March 2016|archive-date=6 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306094519/http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/twice-born-2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2013, Cruz appeared in Ridley Scott's ''The Counselor'', featuring an ensemble cast consisting of Michael Fassbender, Cameron Diaz, Brad Pitt, and husband Javier Bardem. The crime thriller follows a lawyer who, tempted by the lure of quick money, finds himself involved in drug dealing with ruthless Mexican cartels. Cruz plays his girlfriend, Laura, the only innocent character in the story.<ref>{{cite web|first=Jake|last=Wilson|title=The Counselor review: Too many windbags grind things to a halt|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/the-counselor-review-too-many-windbags-grind-things-to-a-halt-20131031-2wjlp.html|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=2 November 2013|access-date=8 March 2016|archive-date=24 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924154307/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/the-counselor-review-too-many-windbags-grind-things-to-a-halt-20131031-2wjlp.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The film received mostly negative reviews from critics and became a moderate commercial success at the international box offices.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Counselor (2013)|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=counselor.htm|work=Box Office Mojo|publisher=IMDb|access-date=20 November 2013|archive-date=23 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131123115235/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=counselor.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_counselor_2013/|title=The Counselor (2013)|publisher=Flixster|work=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=6 March 2014|archive-date=6 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306011331/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_counselor_2013/|url-status=live}}</ref> The same year, Cruz, along with Antonio Banderas, made a cameo appearance in Pedro Almodóvar's farcical comedy ''I'm So Excited'', which marked a return to the director's light, campy comedies of the 1980s and 1990s.<ref>{{cite news |first=Shereen|last=Low|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/im-so-excited-filmmaker-pedro-almodovar-a-keen-flyer-8585519.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/im-so-excited-filmmaker-pedro-almodovar-a-keen-flyer-8585519.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=I'm So Excited! filmmaker Pedro Almodovar a keen flyer |work=The Independent |date=24 April 2013|access-date=7 March 2016}}</ref> The film received mixed reviews, but earned a worldwide gross of more than US$11 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=imsoexcited.htm|title=I'm So Excited (2013) – Box Office Mojo|website=Boxofficemojo.com|access-date=29 September 2017|archive-date=30 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930083813/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=imsoexcited.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2015, Cruz co-produced and starred in the Spanish drama film ''Ma Ma'', directed by Julio Medem. In it, she plays Magda, a gutsy mother and unemployed teacher, who is diagnosed with breast cancer, a role which Cruz later cited as "one of the most complex, beautiful characters I've ever been offered, the most difficult."<ref name="mamavariety"/> The melodrama was screened in the Special Presentations section of the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival,<ref name="mamavariety">{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/festivals/penelope-cruz-mama-qa-cannes-1201182695/ |title=CANNES Q&A: Penelope Cruz on Producing 'Ma Ma' |access-date=31 August 2015 |work=Variety |date=15 May 2014 |archive-date=1 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150901175751/http://variety.com/2014/film/festivals/penelope-cruz-mama-qa-cannes-1201182695/ |url-status=live }}</ref> where it received generally negative reviews for its weepie story line.<ref>{{cite web|first=Dennis|last=Harvey|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/reviews/ma-ma-review-penelope-cruz-toronto-film-festival-1201593216/|title=Toronto Film Review: 'Ma ma'Ma'|access-date=8 March 2016|date=15 September 2015|website=Variety|archive-date=9 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309043528/http://variety.com/2015/film/reviews/ma-ma-review-penelope-cruz-toronto-film-festival-1201593216/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Kevin|last=Jagernauth|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/tiff-review-julio-medems-ma-ma-starring-penelope-cruz-20150913|title=TIFF Review: Julio Medem's 'Ma Ma' Starring Penélope Cruz|access-date=8 March 2016|date=13 September 2015|website=Indiewire|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309093625/http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/tiff-review-julio-medems-ma-ma-starring-penelope-cruz-20150913|archive-date=9 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, Cruz was praised for her "aces performance",<ref>{{cite web|first=Jonathan|last=Holland|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/ma-ma-toronto-review-822608|title='Ma Ma': Toronto Review|access-date=8 March 2016|date=15 September 2015|website=The Hollywood Reporter|archive-date=9 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509153447/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/ma-ma-toronto-review-822608|url-status=live}}</ref> which earned her an eighth Goya nomination at the 30th awards ceremony.<ref name="awards">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004851/awards?ref_=nm_awd|title=Awards for Penélope Cruz|access-date=8 March 2016|website=Internet Movie Database|archive-date=28 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728040439/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004851/awards?ref_=nm_awd|url-status=live}}</ref>
===2016–present === [[File:Penélope Cruz at Premios Goya 2017.jpg|thumb|upright|Cruz at the 2017 Goya Awards]]
Cruz's first film of 2016 was the American comedy ''Zoolander 2'', co-starring and directed by Ben Stiller. In the sequel film, Cruz portrayed a secret Interpol agent who enlists models Derek Zoolander (Stiller) and Hansel McDonald, played by Owen Wilson, to help find out who is killing the world's most beautiful people. Specifically written for her persona, Cruz, a fan of the original 2001 film, was one of the first actors to be cast in their parts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pop.inquirer.net/2016/02/penelope-cruz-is-a-sexy-fashion-police-agent-in-zoolander-2/|title=Penelope Cruz is a sexy fashion police agent in "Zoolander 2"|website=Inquirer|date=14 February 2016|access-date=7 March 2016|archive-date=8 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308224207/http://pop.inquirer.net/2016/02/penelope-cruz-is-a-sexy-fashion-police-agent-in-zoolander-2/|url-status=live}}</ref> Upon its release, the film received generally negative reviews from critics, who felt that it had "more celebrity cameos than laughs."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/zoolander_2/ |title=Zoolander 2 (2016) |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=29 February 2016 |archive-date=18 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318145605/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/zoolander_2 |url-status=live }}</ref> Cruz's other film that year was Louis Leterrier's British spy comedy ''Grimsby'', in which she played a powerful philanthropist, opposite Sacha Baron Cohen and Mark Strong. Cruz was reportedly offered $400,000 for her role.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/grimsby/sacha-baron-cohen-queen-plot-details/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/grimsby/sacha-baron-cohen-queen-plot-details/ |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title= Grimsby: everything we know about Sacha Baron Cohen's new film|website=The Daily Telegraph |date=12 June 2015|access-date=7 March 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The film received mixed reviews, with critics suggesting that Cruz was highly underused and "looking even less invested here than she did in ''Zoolander 2''".<ref>{{cite web|first=Guy|last=Lodge|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/reviews/the-brothers-grimsby-review-1201711700/|title=Film Review: 'The Brothers Grimsby'|website=Variety|date=22 February 2016|access-date=7 March 2016|archive-date=7 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307184144/http://variety.com/2016/film/reviews/the-brothers-grimsby-review-1201711700/|url-status=live}}</ref> Also in 2016, Cruz rejoined Fernando Trueba on his Spanish-language period pic ''The Queen of Spain'', a sequel to Trueba's 1998 drama ''The Girl of Your Dreams''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/cary-elwes-penelope-cruz-queen-of-spain-1201723141/ |title=Cary Elwes Starring in Penelope Cruz's 'Queen of Spain' (EXCLUSIVE) |author=Dave McNary |date=4 March 2016 |website=Variety |access-date=18 April 2016 |archive-date=8 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308041527/https://variety.com/2016/film/news/cary-elwes-penelope-cruz-queen-of-spain-1201723141/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Set in the 1950s, twenty years after the events of the original, Cruz reprised the role of an actress who becomes a Hollywood star and returns to Spain to film a blockbuster about Queen Isabella I of Castile. Selected to be shown in the Berlinale Special section of the 67th Berlin International Film Festival,<ref name="Berlin">{{cite web|url=https://www.berlinale.de/en/presse/pressemitteilungen/wettbewerb/wettbewerb-presse-detail_34708.html|title=Aki Kaurismäki, Oren Moverman, Agnieszka Holland, Andres Veiel, and Sally Potter – First Films for the Competition of the Berlinale 2017|work=Berlinale|date=15 December 2016|access-date=15 December 2016|archive-date=5 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305003134/https://www.berlinale.de/en/presse/pressemitteilungen/wettbewerb/wettbewerb-presse-detail_34708.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> the Spanish comedy drama was screened to lukewarm reviews,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_queen_of_spain/ |title=The Queen of Spain |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=2 December 2017 |archive-date=28 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171128065505/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_queen_of_spain/ |url-status=live }}</ref> but received five nominations at the 31st Goya Awards, earning Cruz her ninth nomination.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/juan-antonio-bayonas-a-monster-calls-leads-goya-award-nominations-956136 |title=Juan Antonio Bayona's 'A Monster Calls' Leads Goya Award Nominations |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=14 December 2016 |access-date=25 January 2017 |archive-date=29 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129191441/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/juan-antonio-bayonas-a-monster-calls-leads-goya-award-nominations-956136 |url-status=live }}</ref>
''Loving Pablo'', a Spanish drama film directed by Fernando León de Aranoa was released in 2017, starring Cruz in the role of Virginia Vallejo, and her husband, Javier Bardem, in the role of Pablo Escobar.<ref>{{cite web|first=Georg|last=Szalai|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cannes-2015-javier-bardem-penelope-795332|title=Cannes: Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz to Star in Pablo Escobar Biopic|access-date=8 March 2016|date=13 May 2015|website=The Hollywood Reporter|archive-date=16 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416070437/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cannes-2015-javier-bardem-penelope-795332|url-status=live}}</ref> Based on Vallejo's bestselling memoir ''Loving Pablo, Hating Escobar'', the film was launched to mixed reviews during the 74th Venice International Film Festival.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mayorga |first=Emilio |date=3 September 2017 |title=Loving Pablo Director on Reuniting Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz It's Been Very Intense |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/venice-facetime-loving-pablo-helmer-fernando-leon-de-aranoa-1202546440/ |work=Variety |access-date=18 October 2017 |archive-date=3 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403185312/https://variety.com/2017/film/news/venice-facetime-loving-pablo-helmer-fernando-leon-de-aranoa-1202546440/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJ8KZrGPf3Q |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/OJ8KZrGPf3Q| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title=Venezia 74 – Il Red Carpet di Javier Bardem e Penélope Cruz |website=YouTube|date=6 September 2017 |access-date=18 October 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In order to play the role of the Colombian journalist, Cruz studied hundreds of interviews of Vallejo.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Interview to Penélope Cruz |url=http://www.wradio.com.co/escucha/archivo_de_audio/vi-entrevistas-de-virginia-vallejo-y-eso-sirvio-para-construir-mi-interpretacion/20170907/oir/3572689.aspx |work=W Radio |date=7 September 2017 |access-date=18 October 2017 |archive-date=19 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019060853/http://www.wradio.com.co/escucha/archivo_de_audio/vi-entrevistas-de-virginia-vallejo-y-eso-sirvio-para-construir-mi-interpretacion/20170907/oir/3572689.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/loving_pablo/|title=Loving Pablo (2017)|publisher=Flixster|work=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=2 December 2017|archive-date=27 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171127203506/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/loving_pablo/|url-status=live}}</ref> Cruz had a supporting role in Kenneth Branagh's mystery film ''Murder on the Orient Express'' (2017), the fourth adaptation of Agatha Christie's 1934 novel of the same name. The mystery–drama ensemble film follows world-renowned detective Hercule Poirot, who seeks to solve a murder on the famous European train in the 1930s. Cruz plays missionary and passenger Pilar Estravados, a Hispanic version of the novel's Swedish Greta Ohlsson. The film was a financial success but received mixed to positive reviews from critics, with praise for the cast's performances, but criticism for not adding anything new to previous adaptations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/murder-on-the-orient-express-mostly-stays-on-track/|title=Murder on the Orient Express Mostly Stays on Track|first=Jeff|last=Giles|website=Rotten Tomatoes|date=9 November 2017|access-date=9 November 2017|archive-date=26 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171126161507/https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/murder-on-the-orient-express-mostly-stays-on-track/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, Cruz made her television debut by co-starring in the role of Donatella Versace in the second season of the FX anthology series ''American Crime Story'' entitled ''The Assassination of Gianni Versace''. Her performance was highly praised by critics and she received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie. In addition, Cruz reteamed with Bardem on the Spanish-language psychological thriller film ''Everybody Knows'', directed by Asghar Farhadi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ikonlondonmagazine.com/javier-bardem-on-happy-marriage-at-the-toronto-film-festival/|title=Javier Bardem on Happy Marriage at the Toronto Film Festival|website=Ikon London Magazine|first1=Tamara|last1=Orlova-Alvarez|first2=Joe|last2=Alvarez|date=25 September 2018|access-date=29 September 2018|archive-date=30 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930000321/http://www.ikonlondonmagazine.com/javier-bardem-on-happy-marriage-at-the-toronto-film-festival/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Asghar Farhadi begins Spanish-language thriller 'Everybody Knows'|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/asghar-farhadi-begins-spanish-language-thriller-everybody-knows/5121545.article|website=screendaily|access-date=23 August 2017|archive-date=10 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510053525/https://www.screendaily.com/news/asghar-farhadi-begins-spanish-language-thriller-everybody-knows/5121545.article|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="variety">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/global/asghar-farhadi-kicks-off-filming-of-everybody-knows-with-javier-bardem-penelope-cruz-ricardo-darin-in-spain-1202535243/|title=Asghar Farhadi Begins Filming 'Everybody Knows' With Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz in Spain|first=Elsa|last=Keslassy|date=22 August 2017|website=Variety|access-date=22 August 2017|archive-date=8 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408033524/http://variety.com/2017/film/global/asghar-farhadi-kicks-off-filming-of-everybody-knows-with-javier-bardem-penelope-cruz-ricardo-darin-in-spain-1202535243/|url-status=live}}</ref> The film opened the 2018 Cannes Film Festival to positive reviews. Justin Chang of ''The Los Angeles Times'' praised the performances from the two leads writing, "Bardem and Cruz have such a natural, unforced chemistry".<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-everybody-knows-review-20181129-story.html|title= Review: 'Everybody Knows,' with Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz, is a dense but mechanical mystery|website= Los Angeles Times|date= 29 November 2018|accessdate= September 6, 2023|archive-date= 6 September 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230906153601/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-everybody-knows-review-20181129-story.html|url-status= live}}</ref> [[File:Premios Goya 2019 - Penélope Cruz (cropped, 3).jpg|thumb|upright|left|Cruz at the 2019 Goya Awards]] In 2021, Cruz starred alongside Antonio Banderas in Gastón Duprat & Mariano Cohn's film ''Official Competition'' and reunited with Almodóvar for the film ''Parallel Mothers'', in which she played Janis, a professional photographer entangled in a relationship with a married man, leading to an affair and resulting in her pregnancy.<ref>{{cite web | title='Official Competition' Review: Penelope Cruz & Antonio Banderas – Venice – Deadline | website=Deadline | first=Anna | last=Smith | url=https://deadline.com/2021/09/official-competition-review-penelope-cruz-antonio-banderas-venice-film-festival-1234827517/ | date=4 September 2021 | access-date=8 February 2022 | archive-date=8 February 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208213041/https://deadline.com/2021/09/official-competition-review-penelope-cruz-antonio-banderas-venice-film-festival-1234827517/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.inquisitr.com/6494642/penlope-cruzs-new-movie-parallel-mothers-will-close-out-the-new-|title=Penélope Cruz's New Movie 'Parallel Mothers' Will Close Out The New York Film Festival, Get The Details|website=Inquisitr|first1=Lindsay|last1=Cronin|date=4 August 2021|access-date=12 September 2021|archive-date=11 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811143727/https://www.inquisitr.com/6494642/penlope-cruzs-new-movie-parallel-mothers-will-close-out-the-new-|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Variety 2021">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/reviews/parallel-mothers-review-penelope-cruz-pedro-almodovar-1235053525/|title='Parallel Mothers' Review: Pedro Almodóvar's Best Since 'All About My Mother'|website=Variety|first=Owen|last=Gleiberman|date=1 September 2021|access-date=4 December 2021|archive-date=13 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213023750/https://variety.com/2021/film/reviews/parallel-mothers-review-penelope-cruz-pedro-almodovar-1235053525/|url-status=live}}</ref> Both films premiered at the 78th Venice International Film Festival, where the latter received rave reviews. ''Parallel Mothers'' also screened at the 59th New York Film Festival, where it was received positively.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/features/penelope-cruz-parallel-mothers-pedro-almodovar-1235111408/|title='Parallel Mothers' Star Penélope Cruz on Collaborating With Pedro Almodóvar: 'He Cannot Lie to Me, and I'm the Same Way With Him'|website=Variety|first=Brent|last=Lang|date=17 November 2021|access-date=4 December 2021|archive-date=8 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208143437/https://variety.com/2021/film/features/penelope-cruz-parallel-mothers-pedro-almodovar-1235111408/|url-status=live}}</ref> Her performance in the film was lauded, winning the Volpi Cup for Best Actress and receiving her second Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, her fourth nomination overall.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2021/09/11/venice-film-festival-awards-penelope-cruz-happening-top-honors/8298617002/|title=French director Audrey Diwan, actress Penelope Cruz awarded with top Venice Film Festival prizes|website=USA Today|agency=Associated Press|date=11 September 2021|access-date=12 September 2021|archive-date=14 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914075913/https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2021/09/11/venice-film-festival-awards-penelope-cruz-happening-top-honors/8298617002/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last1=Lang | first1=Brent | last2=Moreau | first2=Jordan | last3=Grantham-Philips | first3=Wyatte | title=Oscar Nominations 2022: 'Power of the Dog' Leads With 12 Nods, 'Dune' Follows With 10 (Full List) | website=Variety | date=8 February 2022 | url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/2022-oscar-nominations-list-nominees-1235172582/ | access-date=8 February 2022 | archive-date=8 February 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208171926/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/2022-oscar-nominations-list-nominees-1235172582/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Stephanie Zacharek from ''Time'' stated that "Cruz is astonishing here, in what may be the best performance of her career so far. Janis' fragility and her fortitude are two sides of one coin, and Cruz can shift from one to the other in the merest breath."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/6094288/parallel-mothers-review/|title=Penélope Cruz Gives One of the Best Performances of Her Career in Pedro Almodóvar's Parallel Mothers|magazine=Time|first=Stephanie|last=Zacharek|date=1 September 2021|access-date=4 December 2021|archive-date=13 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213023809/https://time.com/6094288/parallel-mothers-review/|url-status=live}}</ref> Owen Gleiberman of ''Variety'' mentioned that "Cruz acts this part with a mood-shifting immediacy that leaves you breathless", with David Rooney of ''The Hollywood Reporter'' describing her performance as "one of the best roles of her career" and "her most outstanding work since Volver."<ref name="Variety 2021"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/penelope-cruz-in-pedro-almodovars-parallel-mothers-madres-paralelas-1235006665/|title=Penélope Cruz in Pedro Almodóvar's 'Parallel Mothers' ('Madres Paralelas'): Film Review | Venice 2021|website=The Hollywood Reporter|first=David|last=Rooney|date=1 September 2021|access-date=4 December 2021|archive-date=27 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227221225/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/penelope-cruz-in-pedro-almodovars-parallel-mothers-madres-paralelas-1235006665/|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the release of these films, she was honoured at the Museum of Modern Art in New York for her career and achievements in film. Luxury fashion house Chanel returned as the presenting sponsor making for an in-sync affair, as Cruz has served as ambassador for the brand since 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-lifestyle-travel-arts-and-entertainment-europe-48a3bbcb64e3e0c72b376191e49eae8a|title=Penelope Cruz honored by MoMA for her career in cinema|website=Associated Press|first=Claudia|last=Torrens|date=15 December 2021|accessdate=15 December 2021|archive-date=15 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215081104/https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-lifestyle-travel-arts-and-entertainment-europe-48a3bbcb64e3e0c72b376191e49eae8a|url-status=live}}</ref>
The following year, she appeared in the female-led spy action film ''The 355'', directed by Simon Kinberg and starring alongside Jessica Chastain, Lupita Nyongo, Diane Kruger, Fan Bingbing, Sebastian Stan, and Édgar Ramírez.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/05/female-spy-film-355-jessica-chastain-marion-cotillard-penelope-cruz-fan-bingbing-lupita-nyongo-simon-kinberg-cannes-market-1202380078/|title=Hot Cannes Package '355': Jessica Chastain, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Fan Bingbing, Lupita Nyong'o Form Spy Sisterhood|website=Deadline|first1=Mike|last1=Fleming|date=1 May 2019|access-date=18 May 2020|archive-date=2 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502140223/http://deadline.com/2018/05/female-spy-film-355-jessica-chastain-marion-cotillard-penelope-cruz-fan-bingbing-lupita-nyongo-simon-kinberg-cannes-market-1202380078/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/diane-kruger-355-simon-kinberg-1203231747/|title=Diane Kruger Joins Simon Kinberg's Spy Thriller '355'|website=Variety|first1=Justin|last1=Kroll|date=3 June 2019|access-date=18 May 2020|archive-date=12 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612194622/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/diane-kruger-355-simon-kinberg-1203231747/|url-status=live}}</ref> The film was released by Universal Pictures on 7 January 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/05/the-355-simon-kinberg-femme-action-ensemble-heads-to-mlk-weekend-2022-1234620498/|title='The 355': Simon Kinberg Femme Action Ensemble Going Earlier In 2022|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|date=6 May 2021|accessdate=4 December 2021|archive-date=15 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715042036/https://deadline.com/2021/05/the-355-simon-kinberg-femme-action-ensemble-heads-to-mlk-weekend-2022-1234620498/|url-status=live}}</ref> Also in 2022, Cruz acted in Emanuele Crialese's Italian drama film ''L'immensità'' and Juan Diego Botto's Spanish thriller ''On the Fringe'' the later of which she also served as a producer.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.fotogramas.es/noticias-cine/a38090326/en-los-margenes-pelicula-penelope-cruz-argumento-estreno-fotos/|website=Fotogramas|language=es|title=Penélope Cruz y Luis Tosar arrancan el rodaje de la ópera prima de Juan Diego Botto|date=28 October 2021|first=Juan|last=Silvestre|access-date=2 February 2022|archive-date=27 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227210059/https://www.fotogramas.es/noticias-cine/a38090326/en-los-margenes-pelicula-penelope-cruz-argumento-estreno-fotos/|url-status=live}}</ref> Guy Lodge of ''Variety'' praised her performance in ''L'immensità'' writing, "If it was through the lens of Pedro Almodóvar that Cruz really established herself as her generation's stand-in for Sophia Loren, Crialese takes the likeness one step further, planting the Spaniard in Loren's hometown of Rome, as the kind of beautifully wounded housewife that the Italian icon perfected in the films of Crialese's youth."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2022/film/reviews/limmensita-review-penelope-cruz-1235359860/|title= 'L'Immensità' Review: Penélope Cruz Adds Dazzle to a Gentle, Poignant Tale of Transgender Adolescence|website= Variety|date= 4 September 2022|accessdate= September 6, 2023|archive-date= 3 November 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221103143738/https://variety.com/2022/film/reviews/limmensita-review-penelope-cruz-1235359860/|url-status= live}}</ref> She portrayed Laura, Enzo Ferrari's wife, alongside Adam Driver and Shailene Woodley in the biopic ''Ferrari'' (2023), directed by Michael Mann. The film chronicled the life of Enzo Ferrari, founder of the Ferrari brand.<ref>{{cite web | last1=Wiseman | first1=Andreas | last2=Kroll | first2=Justin | title=Adam Driver, Penélope Cruz & Shailene Woodley Set To Star In Michael Mann's Passion Project 'Ferrari'; STX Inks Big Domestic Deal & Handles Int'l – EFM | website=Deadline | date=9 February 2022 | url=https://deadline.com/2022/02/adam-driver-penelope-cruz-shailene-woodley-ferrari-michael-mann-1234929563/ | access-date=10 February 2022 | archive-date=25 September 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925021043/https://deadline.com/2022/02/adam-driver-penelope-cruz-shailene-woodley-ferrari-michael-mann-1234929563/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2023, Cruz became a brand ambassador for Emirates appearing in advertisements for the airline, as well as Geox.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Cruzing onboard Emirates' – Emirates announces a new brand ambassador, Penelope Cruz |url=https://www.emirates.com/media-centre/cruzing-onboard-emirates---emirates-announces-a-new-brand-ambassador-penelope-cruz/ |access-date=2023-10-12 |website='Cruzing onboard Emirates' – Emirates announces a new brand ambassador, Penelope Cruz|archive-date=10 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810225133/https://www.emirates.com/media-centre/cruzing-onboard-emirates---emirates-announces-a-new-brand-ambassador-penelope-cruz/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wwd.com/accessories-news/footwear/penelope-cruz-on-being-geox-first-brand-ambassador-designing-capsule-with-her-sister-1235823059/|title=Penélope Cruz Named First Brand Ambassador for Geox|first=Sandra|last=Salibian|date=20 September 2023|accessdate=31 July 2024}}</ref> As a part of a collaboration with performer Residente and Sílvia Pérez Cruz on the track "313", Cruz won a Latin Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video in 2024.<ref>{{cite magazine | last1=Ratner-Arias | first1=Sigal | title=Latin Grammys 2024: Lista completa de ganadores | magazine=Billboard | date=14 November 2024 | url=https://www.billboard.com/espanol/musica/latin-grammys-2024-lista-completa-de-ganadores-1235828691/ | access-date=14 November 2024 }}</ref>
During the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, Cruz was reported to have landed a role in Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi's ''The Black Ball'', a film about three gay men at different times, due to begin filming in August 2025.<ref name="efe2025">{{Cite web|url=https://efe.com/cultura/2025-05-19/nueva-pelicula-javis-bola-negra/|website=EFE|title=Penélope Cruz, Guitarricadelafuente y Miguel Bernardeau en la nueva película de los Javis|date=19 May 2025|access-date=19 May 2025|language=es}}</ref> Ambrossi stated that they had written Cruz's role specifically for her.<ref name="efe2025" /> In the film, that premiered at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, she portrayed a ''cupletista'' named Nené Romero performing one of the musical numbers of the film.<ref>{{Cite web|website=Fotogramas|lang=es-ES|access-date=24 May 2025|title=Un doctor diagnosticó a Penélope Cruz un aneurisma cerebral en pleno rodaje de 'La bola negra': "Sé que el día que esté viejecita, cuando me muera, ese será uno de los momentos que recuerde como más surrealistas de toda mi vida"|first=Mariona|last=Borrull|first2=Fran|last2=Chico|date=22 May 2026|url=https://www.fotogramas.es/noticias-cine/a71383206/penelope-cruz-actriz-aneurisma-cerebral-rodaje-la-bola-negra-pelicula-javis/}}</ref> In 2026, for her first big screen appearance after ''Ferrari'', Cruz co-starred in the comedy-drama ''The Invite'', playing a psychotherapist and sexologist.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/why-penelope-cruz-will-miss-sundance-premiere-of-new-movie-with-olivia-wilde-exclusive-11891696|website=People|title=Penélope Cruz Was 'Dying to Go' to Sundance to Debut Olivia Wilde's New Movie, But Will Miss It for This Reason (Exclusive)|first=Tommy|last=McArdle|date=23 January 2026|access-date=29 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2026/film/reviews/the-invite-review-olivia-wilde-seth-rogen-1236640161/|website=Variety|date=24 January 2026|title='The Invite' Review: Olivia Wilde Directs and Stars in a Bravura Dinner-Party Dramedy That's like 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?' Redone as Vintage Woody Allen|first=Owen|last=Gleiberman|access-date=29 January 2026}}</ref> Also in early 2026, she was reported to have sign on to lead a then untitled comedy film by Nancy Meyers angling for a 2027 Christmas release.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2026/film/news/nancy-meyers-comedy-penelope-cruz-kieran-culkin-jude-law-release-date-2-1236649935/|website=Variety|title=Nancy Meyers Sets Return After 11 Years With All-Star Comedy Led by Penélope Cruz, Kieran Culkin and Jude Law; Christmas 2027 Release Date Set|date=2 February 2026|access-date=7 February 2026|first=Matt|last=Donnelly}}</ref>
==Public image== {{quote box | width = 22em | align = left | bgcolor = #E0E6F8 | quote = "The most difficult thing in the world is to start a career known only for your looks, and then to try to become a serious actress. No one will take you seriously once you are known as the pretty woman."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2000-01-03-0001030104-story.html|title=Shooting Star|website=Chicago Tribune|first=Barry|last=Koltnow|date=3 January 2000|access-date=24 October 2021|archive-date=28 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128173508/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2000-01-03-0001030104-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>}} [[File:PenélopeCruzHWoFApr2011.jpg|thumb|upright|Cruz receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2011]] In 2006, Cruz became a spokesmodel for French cosmetics company L'Oréal to promote products such as the L'Oréal Paris hair dye Natural Match<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/story/cruz-joins-loreal |title=Cruz Joins L'Oreal |magazine=Contactmusic.com |date=19 January 2007 |access-date=14 March 2010 |archive-date=2 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102111125/http://www.contactmusic.com/news-article/cruz-joins-loreal |url-status=live }}</ref> and L'Oreal mascara products.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKL2455226720070724 |title=L'Oreal rapped over Penelope Cruz mascara ads |work=Reuters |publisher=Thomson Reuters |date=15 July 2007 |access-date=14 March 2010 |archive-date=16 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016133624/http://uk.reuters.com/article/2007/07/24/uk-britain-loreal-idUKL2455226720070724 |url-status=dead }}</ref> She receives $2 million a year for her work for the company.<ref name="peoplebio" /> Cruz has appeared in print ads for Mango<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnngo.com/shanghai/shop/chinas-most-overrated-brands-549432 |first=Jessica |last=Beaton |title=Just because it's Western doesn't mean it's luxury |publisher=CNN |date=22 February 2010 |access-date=14 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329051634/http://www.cnngo.com/shanghai/shop/chinas-most-overrated-brands-549432 |archive-date=29 March 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and had a contract with Ralph Lauren in 2001.<ref name="peoplebio" /><ref name="peopleoverview" /> Cruz and her sister designed their second collection for Mango in 2007.<ref name="sydenyinfo" /> It was inspired by Brigitte Bardot and summers in Saint-Tropez.<ref name="sydenyinfo" />
Cruz ranked as No. 58 in ''Maxim''{{'s}} "Hot 100" of 2007 list, and was chosen by ''Empire'' magazine as being one of the 100 Sexiest Movie Stars in the world.<ref name="askmen"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.maxim.com/amg/girls/43960/2007-hot-100.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709184423/http://www.maxim.com/amg/girls/43960/2007-hot-100.html|url-status=dead|title=Maxim 2007 Hot 100|archivedate=9 July 2011|accessdate=31 July 2024}}</ref> Cruz was also ranked on Askmen.com's Most Desirable Women of 2008 at No. 26, in 2009 at No. 25,<ref name="askmen">{{cite web |url=http://www.askmen.com/celebs/women/actress/56_penelope_cruz.html#famous |title=Penelope Cruz - Askmen.com |access-date=2 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205085540/http://www.askmen.com/celebs/women/actress/56_penelope_cruz.html#famous |archive-date=5 December 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and in 2010 at No. 7.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ca.askmen.com/specials/2010_top_99/|title=Top 99 Outstanding Women 2015 – AskMen|work=AskMen|access-date=2 December 2010|archive-date=14 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114233932/http://ca.askmen.com/specials/2010_top_99/|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2010, she replaced Kate Winslet as the new face and ambassador of Lancôme's Trésor fragrance.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/2010/04/30/penelope-cruzs-sexy-new-role-ambassador-for-lancmes-trsor-fragrance/ |title=Penelope Cruz's Sexy New Role: Ambassador for Lancôme's Trésor Fragrance |work=People |publisher=Time Warner Inc |date=30 April 2010 |access-date=2 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721090234/http://stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/2010/04/30/penelope-cruzs-sexy-new-role-ambassador-for-lancmes-trsor-fragrance/ |archive-date=21 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Lancôme signed Cruz as their third superstar spokesmodel, along with Julia Roberts and Winslet. The campaign was shot by Mario Testino at Paris's Hotel de Crillon and debuted in the autumn of 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwd.com/beauty-industry-news/cruz-signs-on-with-lancome-3057000?module=today |title=Penélope Cruz Signs on With Lancôme – Beauty Industry and Products News |work=Women's Wear Daily |date=3 May 2010 |access-date=22 February 2011 |archive-date=3 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151103221734/http://wwd.com/beauty-industry-news/cruz-signs-on-with-lancome-3057000/?module=today |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2010, Cruz was a guest editor for the French ''Vogue'' magazine, focusing on larger-size models in a provocative photo shoot.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2010/apr/23/plus-sized-models-french-vogue |title=The big issue: Penelope Cruz edits Vogue 'plus-size' edition |first=Jess |last=Cartner-Morley |work=The Guardian |publisher=Guardian News and Media Limited |date=23 April 2010 |access-date=2 May 2010 |archive-date=10 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130910103225/http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2010/apr/23/plus-sized-models-french-vogue |url-status=live }}</ref> Almodóvar described her as his muse.<ref name="cbsnewspage4">{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/01/15/60minutes/main6101587_page4.shtml?tag=contentMain;contentBody |title=The Rising Star of Penelope Cruz (Page 4) |work=CBS News |first=Charlie |last=Rose |date=17 January 2010 |access-date=2 May 2010 |archive-date=28 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728040440/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-rising-star-of-penelope-cruz-15-01-2010/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On the cover of Spanish ''Vogue''{{'}}s December 2010 issue, she agreed to be photographed by fashion photographer Peter Lindbergh only if her pregnancy was not shown.<ref name="USAtoday"/> In 2011, ''The Telegraph'' reported the most sought after body parts of the rich and famous revealed by two Hollywood plastic surgeons who carried out a survey among their patients to build up the picture of the perfect woman. Under the category of the most sought after body shape, Cruz, known for her voluptuous figure, was voted as having the top body.<ref name="telegraph">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/8284381/Hollywoods-most-sought-after-body-parts.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110129055838/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/8284381/Hollywoods-most-sought-after-body-parts.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 January 2011 |title=Hollywood's most sought after body parts|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=27 January 2011 |access-date=1 February 2011}}</ref> ''Men's Health'' ranked her at No. 32. on their "100 Hottest Women of All-Time" list.<ref>{{cite web|title=The 100 Hottest Women of All-Time|url=http://www.menshealth.com/sex-women/hottest-women-all-time|work=Men's Health|access-date=3 January 2012|year=2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815165801/http://www.menshealth.com/sex-women/hottest-women-all-time|archive-date=15 August 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Esquire'' named her the Sexiest Woman Alive in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esquire.com/women/the-sexiest-woman-alive/penelope-cruz-photos-1114|title=Esquire's Sexiest Woman Alive Is Penélope Cruz|work=Esquire|date=13 October 2014|access-date=13 October 2014|archive-date=28 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728040442/https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/g1661/penelope-cruz-swa-photos-1114/|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2023, she was appointed as the brand ambassador for the airline Emirates.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.emirates.com/media-centre/cruzing-onboard-emirates---emirates-announces-a-new-brand-ambassador-penelope-cruz/|title='Cruzing onboard Emirates' – Emirates announces a new brand ambassador, Penelope Cruz|newspaper=Emirates (Media Centre)|date=2023-05-25|access-date=September 20, 2023|archive-date=10 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810225133/https://www.emirates.com/media-centre/cruzing-onboard-emirates---emirates-announces-a-new-brand-ambassador-penelope-cruz/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Philanthropy== Cruz has donated money and time to charity. In addition to work in Nepal, she has volunteered in Uganda and India, where she spent a week working with Mother Teresa that included assisting in a leprosy clinic.<ref name="mariéclairepage1" /> That trip inspired Cruz to help start a foundation to support homeless girls in India, where she sponsors two young women.<ref name="mariéclairepage1" /> She donated her salary from her first Hollywood film, ''The Hi-Lo Country'', to Mother Teresa's mission.<ref name="peopleoverview">{{cite web |url=http://www.people.com/people/penelope_cruz |title=Penélope Cruz |work=People |publisher=Time Warner Inc |access-date=14 March 2010 |archive-date=16 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016131523/http://www.people.com/people/penelope_cruz |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="mariéclairepage1">{{cite web |url=http://www.xn--mariclaire-e7a.com/celebrity-lifestyle/celebrities/interviews/penelope-cruz |title=Penelope Cruz: Will She Say I Do, or I Don't (Page 1) |work=Marie Claire |publisher=Hearst Communication, Inc |first=Hilary |last=De Vries |date=February 2004 |access-date=14 March 2010 |archive-date=27 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527040029/http://www.xn--mariclaire-e7a.com/celebrity-lifestyle/celebrities/interviews/penelope-cruz |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the early 2000s, she spent time in Nepal photographing Tibetan children for an exhibition attended by the Dalai Lama. She also photographed residents at the Pacific Lodge Boys' Home, most of whom are former gang members and recovering substance abusers.<ref name="mariéclairepage1" /> She said: "These kids break my heart. I have to control myself not to cry. Not out of pity, but seeing how tricky life is and how hard it is to make the right choices."<ref name="mariéclairepage1" /> A pregnant Cruz showed her support for the battle against AIDS by lighting up the Empire State Building with red lights in New York City on 1 December 2010 on International AIDS Day, as part of (RED)'s new awareness campaign, 'An AIDS Free Generation is Due in 2015,' which aims to eradicate the HIV virus from pregnant mothers to their babies.<ref name="USAtoday">{{cite web|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2010/12/penelope-cruz-lights-up-new-york-/1|title=Penelope Cruz lights up New York|work=USA Today|access-date=5 December 2010|archive-date=4 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004210440/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2010/12/penelope-cruz-lights-up-new-york-/1|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012 and 2018, she posed for ads supporting PETA's anti-fur campaign.<ref>Lauren Moraski, "[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/penelope-cruz-strikes-a-pose-for-peta/ Penelope Cruz Strikes a Pose for PETA] ", CBS News 1 February 2012.</ref><ref>Kelli Bender, "Penélope Cruz Teams Up with PETA Again to Urge the World to Go Fur-Free," ''People'', 4 December 2018</ref>
==Personal life== [[File:Javier Bardem & Penélope Cruz at Goya Awards 2018.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|Cruz and her husband Javier Bardem at the 32nd Goya Awards in 2018]] Cruz is married to Spanish actor Javier Bardem. They met at the set of ''Jamón jamón'' (1992),<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6HOy2gCicg |title=Javier Bardem Answers the Web's Most Searched Questions |magazine= Wired |date=1 March 2024 }}</ref> and started dating in 2007 after reuniting for ''Vicky Cristina Barcelona'' (2008).<ref>{{cite web |first1=Jane |last1=Walker |first2=Michelle |last2=Tan |first3=Courtney |last3=Rubin |url=https://people.com/celebrity/buzz-are-penlope-cruz-and-javier-bardem-engaged/ |title=BUZZ: Are Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem Engaged? |work=People |date=5 October 2009 |access-date=24 October 2009 |archive-date=19 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419003055/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20310257,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> They were also both in the 2013 film ''The Counselor'', as well as in ''Everybody Knows'' in 2018. They married in early July 2010 in a private ceremony at a friend's home in the Bahamas.<ref name="mairéclaire"/><ref name="cbs2071310">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/7889010/Actors-Penelope-Cruz-and-Javier-Bardem-marry-in-the-Bahamas.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100717005936/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/7889010/Actors-Penelope-Cruz-and-Javier-Bardem-marry-in-the-Bahamas.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 July 2010 |title=Actors Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem marry in the Bahamas |date=14 July 2010 |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK |access-date=17 January 2011}}</ref> They have a son named Leo Encinas Cruz who was born in January 2011 in Los Angeles,<ref name="mairéclaire">{{cite web |date=26 January 2011 |title=Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem welcome a baby boy |url=http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/news/celebrity/514089/penelope-cruz-and-javier-bardem-welcome-a-baby-boy.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118023122/http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/news/celebrity/514089/penelope-cruz-and-javier-bardem-welcome-a-baby-boy.html |archive-date=18 January 2012 |access-date=2 November 2025 |work=Marie Claire}}</ref> and a daughter named Luna Encinas Cruz who was born in July 2013 in Madrid.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.europapress.es/chance/video-hija-pe-bardem-llama-luna-encinas-cruz-20130731174424.html |title=Luna, ha sido el nombre que Penélope Cruz y Javier Bardem ha escogido para su hija |work=La Vanguardia |access-date=31 July 2013 |language=es |archive-date=1 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801015059/http://www.europapress.es/chance/video-hija-pe-bardem-llama-luna-encinas-cruz-20130731174424.html |url-status=live }}</ref> She became an advocate of breastfeeding in public following the birth of her children.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/penelope-cruz-5-celebrity-mums-loved-breastfeeding/ |title=Penelope Cruz addicted to breastfeeding! |publisher=Unreality TV |date=18 December 2013 |access-date=18 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219012434/http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/penelope-cruz-5-celebrity-mums-loved-breastfeeding/ |archive-date=19 December 2013 }}</ref>
Cruz had a three-year relationship with Tom Cruise after they appeared together in ''Vanilla Sky'' (2001). The relationship ended in January 2004.<ref name="mariéclairepage1"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,26334,627890,00.html |title=Tom & Penelope Split After 3 Years |first=Jess |last=Cagle |work=People |publisher=Time Warner Inc |date=25 April 2004 |access-date=14 March 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601235306/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,26334,627890,00.html |archive-date=1 June 2009 }}</ref> In June 2003, Cruz settled a defamation lawsuit against Australian magazine ''New Idea'' over an article it published about her relationship with Cruise; the publication had to apologise, pay her legal costs, and donate AU$5,000 (US$3,200) to her nominated charity.<ref name="lawsuit2003">{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2003/biz/markets-festivals/oz-mag-admits-untruth-so-cruz-settles-suit-1117887568/ |title=Oz mag admits untruth, so Cruz settles suit |date=June 8, 2003 |website=Variety |access-date=6 April 2020 |archive-date=6 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406171747/https://variety.com/2003/biz/markets-festivals/oz-mag-admits-untruth-so-cruz-settles-suit-1117887568/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
She is known to friends as ''Pe''.<ref name=Hola /><ref name="sydenyinfo">{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/very-pc--and-shes-got-hidden-depths/2008/12/06/1228257370278.html?page=4|title=Why the lady is a vamp (Page 4)|work=Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=14 March 2010|first=Helen|last=Barlow|date=7 December 2008|archive-date=5 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605082105/http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/very-pc--and-shes-got-hidden-depths/2008/12/06/1228257370278.html?page=4|url-status=live}}</ref> Cruz owns a clothing store in Madrid, and designed jewelry and handbags with her younger sister Mónica for a company in Japan.<ref name="mariéclairepage3">{{cite web |url=http://www.mariéclaire.com/celebritylifestyle/celebrities/interviews/penelope-cruz-3 |title=Penelope Cruz: Will She Say I Do, or I Don't (Page 3) |work=Marie Claire |publisher=Hearst Communication, Inc |first=Hilary |last=De Vries |date=February 2004 |access-date=14 March 2010 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
Raised Catholic, Cruz regarded herself as a Buddhist.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Galloway |first=Stephen |date=22 March 2017 |title=New Again: Penélope Cruz |url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/new-again-penelope-cruz |access-date=4 December 2025 |website=Interview Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=10 January 2004|title=Cruise hails Buddhist influence |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/cruise-hails-buddhist-influence-20040110-gdi4ul.html |access-date=4 December 2025|website=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref>
Cruz's agent is Hylda Queally, shared with Cate Blanchett and Kate Winslet.<ref name="Elle">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.elle.com/pop-culture/reviews/the-power-list-the-agents-513395|title=Hylda Queally|magazine=Elle|access-date=7 January 2014|archive-date=15 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140115034253/http://www.elle.com/pop-culture/reviews/the-power-list-the-agents-513395|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Acting credits and accolades == {{main|Penélope Cruz filmography|List of awards and nominations received by Penélope Cruz|l2 = awards and nominations}}
Cruz has been recognised by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the following performances: *79th Academy Awards: Best Actress, nomination, for ''Volver'' (2006) *81st Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actress, win, ''Vicky Cristina Barcelona'' (2008) *82nd Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actress, nomination, ''Nine'' (2009) *94th Academy Awards: Best Actress, nomination, ''Parallel Mothers'' (2021)
On October 18, 2025, Cruz received the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Icon Award "for an artist whose career has had a significant global cultural impact."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chuba |first=Kirsten |date=2025-10-19 |title=Star-Studded Academy Museum Gala, Honoring Bruce Springsteen and Bowen Yang, Raises Over $12M |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/academy-museum-gala-bruce-springsteen-bowen-yang-12m-1236404978/ |access-date=2025-10-20 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref>
She has also received nominations for two British Academy Film Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, five Screen Actors Guild Awards, and fourteen Goya Awards. In 2006 she received the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress for ''Volver'', and in 2021 the Venice International Film Festival's Volpi Cup for Best Actress for ''Parallel Mothers''.
== Notes == {{Notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Sister project links |wikt=no |commons=Penélope Cruz |b=no |n=no |q=Penélope Cruz |s=no |v=no |species=no |d=Q39666}} * {{AllMusic}} * {{Discogs artist}} * {{IMDb name}} * {{Instagram}} *{{MusicBrainz artist}} * {{Tcmdb name}}
{{Navboxes |title = Awards for Penélope Cruz |list = {{AcademyAwardBestSupportingActress 2001-2020}} {{Actors and Actresses Union Award for Best Film Actress in a Leading Role}} {{BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress 1985-2009}} {{Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress}} {{Prix d'interprétation féminine 2000–2019}} {{David di Donatello Best Actress}} {{Donostia Award}} {{Empire Award for Best Actress}} {{European Film Award for Best Actress}} {{Goya Award for Best Actress}} {{Goya Award for Best Supporting Actress}} {{Honorary César}} {{IndependentSpiritBestSupportingFemale 2000-2020}} {{Latin Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video}} {{Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress}} {{Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress}} {{Montecito Award}} {{National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actress}} {{National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress}} {{New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress}} {{San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress}} {{Volpi Cup for Best Actress}} }}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Cruz, Penelope}} Category:1974 births Category:Living people Category:20th-century Spanish actresses Category:21st-century Spanish actresses Category:Actresses from Madrid Category:Actresses from the Community of Madrid Category:Best Actress Goya Award winners Category:Best Supporting Actress Academy Award winners Category:Best Supporting Actress BAFTA Award winners Category:Best Supporting Actress Goya Award winners Category:Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress winners Category:César Honorary Award recipients Category:Chevaliers of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres Category:David di Donatello winners Category:Best Actress European Film Award winners Category:Best Supporting Female Independent Spirit Award winners Category:Latin Grammy Award winners Category:People from Alcobendas Category:Spanish Buddhists Category:Spanish child actresses Category:Spanish expatriates in the United States Category:Spanish female dancers Category:Spanish female models Category:Spanish film actresses Category:Spanish philanthropists Category:Spanish stage actresses Category:Spanish television actresses Category:Spanish women television personalities Category:Spanish women television presenters Category:Spanish voice actresses Category:Volpi Cup for Best Actress winners Category:Bardem family Category:Converts to Buddhism from Roman Catholicism Category:Former Roman Catholics Category:Spanish women activists Category:Buddhist activists