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1-47 of 47
- Writer
- Director
- Producer
The most internationally acclaimed Spanish filmmaker since Luis Buñuel was born in a small town (Calzada de Calatrava) in the impoverished Spanish region of La Mancha. He arrived in Madrid in 1968, and survived by selling used items in the flea-market called El Rastro. Almodóvar couldn't study filmmaking because he didn't have the money to afford it. Besides, the filmmaking schools were closed in early 70s by Franco's government. Instead, he found a job in the Spanish phone company and saved his salary to buy a Super 8 camera. From 1972 to 1978, he devoted himself to make short films with the help of of his friends. The "premieres" of those early films were famous in the rapidly growing world of the Spanish counter-culture. In few years, Almodóvar became a star of "La Movida", the pop cultural movement of late 70s Madrid. His first feature film, Pepi, Luci, Bom and Other Girls Like Mom (1980), was made in 16 mm and blown-up to 35 mm for public release. In 1987, he and his brother Agustín Almodóvar established their own production company: El Deseo, S. A. The "Almodóvar phenomenon" has reached all over the world, making his films very popular in many countries.- Actor
- Writer
- Producer
Javier Botet was born on 30 July 1977 in Ciudad Real, Spain. He is an actor and writer, known for It (2017), Amigo (2019) and The Mummy (2017).- Manu Rios was born on 17 December 1998 in Calzada de Calatrava, Ciudad Real, Spain. He has been working in the entertainment industry since he was nine years old as an actor, singer and dancer. When Rios was eleven years old, he portrayed Gavroche Thénardier in the world-famous musical ''Les Misérables'' and made his acting debut a few years later in the TV-series ''Chiringuito de Pepe''. Rios rose to international fame in 2021 when he landed the role of Patrick in the popular Netflix series ''Elite''.
- Actress
- Producer
- Soundtrack
Sara Montiel was born in the village of Campo de Criptana, province of Ciudad Real, in the region of Castille-La Mancha, Spain. Her parents were Isidoro Abad, a peasant, and Maria Vicenta Fernández, a door-to-door beautician. The future star was christened Maria Antonia Alejandra Abad Fernández. Barely in her teens, she won a beauty and talent contest held by Cifesa, the most influential Spanish film studio of that era. She was promptly signed to a movie contract and in 1944 made her debut playing a teenager in Te quiero para mí (1944), credited in the cast as "Maria Alejandra". By the end of 1944 she was given the starring role in Empezó en boda (1944), which introduced her with a more adult image and a new name: Sara Montiel.
In the next four years she appeared in 14 films, including her first international success Locura de amor (1948), which led to a long term-contract in Mexico. She quickly established herself as one of the most popular film actors of the decade. starring in over a dozen films between 1950 and 1954. Hollywood came calling and she was formally introduced to American moviegoers in Vera Cruz (1954), playing Gary Cooper's love interest. Later she worked at Warner Bros. in Serenade (1956) with Mario Lanza, directed by Anthony Mann, who became her first husband. After starring in Samuel Fuller's Run of the Arrow (1957) with Rod Steiger, Sarita shot El último cuplé (1957) ("The Last Song") in Spain, a musical production that turned out to be the biggest box-office success in Spain's film history. It played for over a year in the same theaters in which it opened. A similar reaction followed in Western Europe and Latin America. Sarita Montiel had become the most popular actress-singer of 1957 and a national treasure for Spain.
The unprecedented success of "El Último Cuplé" threw a wrench into her Hollywood career, as she was offered a multimillion-dollar contract to star in four films in Europe. Her next vehicle, La violetera (1958) ("The Violet Peddler"), confirmed Sara's popularity and broke the box-office records set by the previous movie. The theme song from "La Violetera" became Montiel's signature song. The soundtrack albums from both films reportedly outsold Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra in the world market. From then on, Sarita would combine the making of films with the recording of highly successful albums and live concerts in four continents. By 1962 she had become a legend to millions of fans worldwide, reaching markets that had previously been uncharted territory for Spanish cinema. Among her many blockbusters of the 1960s were Mi último tango (1960), Pecado de amor (1961), La bella Lola (1962), La reina del Chantecler (1962) and Esa mujer (1969).
However, by the 1970s her interest in films diminished, due largely to the almost pornographic turn of Spanish films in the late-Francisco Franco era when censorship was abolished and she retired from films in 1974. Her activities turned mainly to recording and stage work, and she achieved uncontested successes with her stage shows "Sara en Persona" (1970-73), "Saritísima" (1974-75), "Increible Sara" (1977-78), "Super Sara Show"(1979-80), "Doña Sara de La Mancha" (1981-82), "Taxi Vamos Al Victoria" (1983-84), "Nostalgia" (1985-86), "Sara, Siempre Sara" (1987-88) and others.
In the 1990s Sara surprised everyone by branching out into television: Sara y punto (1990), a mini-series of seven one-hour episodes, included a serialized biography of the star, many popular guests (including Luciano Pavarotti and Charles Aznavour, among others) and Miss Montiel singing her greatest hits in addition to new songs written especially for her. Next came Ven al Paralelo (1992), taped in a Barcelona theater where Montiel hosted,sang and acted in comedy sketches in front of a live audience.
It is quite impossible to cover here all the awards Sara Montiel has won in her long successful career but we must mention the "Premio del Sindicato" (at that time Spain's equivalent of the Oscar) for best actress, won two years in a row for her performances in "El Último Cuplé" and "La Violetera". In 1972 she was proclaimed an honorary citizen of Los Angeles by Mayor Sam Yorty and was given the gold key to the city. Similarly she has been awarded the gold keys of New York, Miami and Chicago. In 1981 she received Israel's most prestigious honor, the Ben Guiron Award and in 1983 she was awarded France's Legion of Honor medal, after a retrospective of her career ran at the Autumn Film Festival in Paris. In 1986 "Nosotros", a Hollywood-based Hispanic actors advocacy organization founded by Ricardo Montalban, gave her its Golden Eagle Award for life achievement. The trophy was presented to Sarita by her "Vera Cruz" costar-producer Burt Lancaster in an emotional reunion that triggered a standing ovation from all their Hollywood peers witnessing the event. In 1997 she was awarded the "Gold Medal", also a life achievement recognition, given--rarely0--by Spain's Academy of Arts and Sciences. The two-hour ceremony was beamed live by national television. In 2008 Sara returned to her hometown to unveil a sculpture with her image at the new Sara Montiel Park. A nearby avenue was also named after her and there was at the same time a dedication ceremony of her newly renovated museum, located inside a 16th-century windmill. In addition, the government placed a commemorative plaque on the house where she was born.
Sara Montiel's private life has also been a large part of her legend. After divorcing Anthony Mann in 1963, she married three more times (Vicente Ramirez Olalla 1964-1978; Jose Tous 1979-1992; Antonio Hernandez 2002-2004). Before, during and after these marriages she had countless affairs, among them Nobel prize-winning scientist Severo Ochoa and Italian actor Giancarlo Del Duca. Unable to have children, she adopted two during her marriage to Jose Tous: Thais (born in 1979) and Zeus (born 1983). In 2000 she published her autobiography, which became a best seller. Undaunted by the passage of time and ignoring critics who accused her of mishandling her legendary image, Sara Montiel continued living and working at a hectic pace. She kept touring with her one woman show and making guests appearances on television. In 2009 she won a new generation of fans when she recorded "Absolutamente," an outrageous duet with Fangoria's vocalist Alaska. Both the record and the promotional video reached the top of the popularity charts and remained there for weeks.
Next Sara recorded some love duets with baritone José Antonio Román Marcos and traveled to the United States for a short tour sponsored by New York's Cervantes Institute and the universities of Chicago and Cincinnati. In every city she charmed the audiences with her charismatic presence and sense of humor. Back in Spain she continued her activities which now included supporting the singing career of her son Zeus. She appeared in his 2011 "Sex Dance" video and caused quite a stir.
In February 2013 Sara Montiel became the subject of a made-for-TV documentary titled "Sara's Dream" which aired in Spain to high ratings and great reviews. It was a fitting celebration of her fantastic life and career which came at the right time. A couple of months later, the star who had seemed eternal, passed away suddenly and quietly in her Madrid penthouse. By her family's request, funeral services were private but the funeral procession, organized by the city of Madrid, was a very moving event attended by thousands who showed up at Plaza Callao to bid farewell to their beloved Sara. She was buried in the San Justo cemetery family plot.- Producer
- Actor
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Agustín Almodóvar was born on 25 May 1955 in Calzada de Calatrava, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. He is a producer and actor, known for Talk to Her (2002), The Skin I Live In (2011) and Parallel Mothers (2021).- Actor
- Additional Crew
- Writer
Pedro Mari Sánchez was born on 16 January 1954 in Ciudad Real, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. He is an actor and writer, known for La gran familia (1962), Estudio 1 (1965) and Teatro estudio (1976).- Director
- Writer
- Actor
Miguel Morayta was born on 15 August 1907 in Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. He was a director and writer, known for El mártir del Calvario (1952), Vagabunda (1950) and La mujer marcada (1957). He died on 19 June 2013 in Mexico City, Mexico.- Actress
- Soundtrack
Esperanza Elipe was born on 11 July 1961 in Membrilla, Ciudad Real, Catilla La Mancha, Spain. She is an actress, known for Pacto de brujas (2003), Hospital Central (2000) and Camera café (2005).- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Member of the Spanish comic duo "Cruz y Raya", together with Juan Muñoz. They met in military service in 1985, and after leaving it they decided to go to Madrid in search of adventure, where they started their first show, known as '60 personajes en busca de humor' ('60 characters in search of humor'), imitating many famous people. This first show was very successful and soon they were given the opportunity to act at 'Caribiana', one of the most important night clubs in Madrid, where they performed until they got a contract with 'Windsor' hall on Gran Vía street, where they acted for two years, until they reached the honor of being the kings of independent humor. Later, they started their radio career, with several programs ('Viva la gente divertida' (Antena 3 channel), Luis del Olmo), and Javier Sardà, who made them known to a big audience). Hugo Stuven gave them the opportunity to make their debut on TV with a slot in the program _"Pero ¿esto que es?" (1989)_ (TVE channel). After this they got a whole TV program for themselves on channel Tele 5, and finally they went back to TVE with a collaboration in Raffaella Carrà's program 'Hola Raffaella'. In 1990 they made their debut in cinema with the film Ni se te ocurra... (1991), with a warm reception from the audience. Their next occupation was TV, doing special programs such as 'Colón Pirata' and 'No Smoking', the latter being nominated for the 'TP de Oro' award as the Best Special Program of 1993. During the summer of that year they had their own program, "Abierto por vacaciones", which was #1 with audiences during its whole broadcast period. Their first 'hard' test arrived with 1993's New Year's Eve. The comic duo 'Martes y Trece' decided to rest that year and TVE asked them to do the 1993 New Year's Eve's TV Special. They accepted and made a program named 'Este año, Cruz y Raya ¡Seguro!', after which the famous 12 bell strokes were broadcast live. From that moment on Cruz y Raya have always had their own program in TVE. In 1994 they made the series 'Perdiendo el juicio', 'VayaTele' and also the summer special 'Aquí hemos venido a lo que hemos venido', all of them with great success. From September 1995 until April 1996 they entertained the audience with a 30 minute series filled with sketches mixed with imitations and music events, and this series also reached #1 in audience during Friday nights. This success was unexpected for an only-humor program, and the next year they were back with a second season, with more or less the same format. In 1998, after a well-deserved rest from TV, they were back at TVE with the series Este no es el programa de los viernes (1998), their most successful appearance so far. Their comic phrases started to be heard in people's voice here and there ('Ja me maaten', 'Le quiero, Don Puente'). 1999 saw the appearance of their new success Estamos en directo (1999), and at the end of the year they made the TVE 2000 New Year's Eve special: En efecto 2000 (1999). This program shared an incredible 50% of the audience. In 2000 they made the series Cruz y raya.com (2000), in their classic format. At the end of 2000 they made the TVE 2001 New Year's Eve special again, titled this time 2001 aunque sea en el espacio (2000), which also reached a 50% share. In cinema, they had dubbed several animation films (Goomer (1999), Mulan (1998) (José), or the parrot of 102 Dalmatians (2000) (José, too). Juan made his debut as director with the film ¡Ja me maaten...! (2000), and José performed a little role as a beach watcher in the film Torrente 2: Misión en Marbella (2001), and also a collaboration in the soundtrack. Nowadays they both are preparing several projects on their own, but their separation is very unlikely.- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Miguel Madrid was born on 29 September 1933 in Daimiel, Ciudad Real, New Castile, Spain. He was an actor and writer, known for The Butcher of Binbrook (1971), The Killer of Dolls (1975) and Bacanal en directo (1979). He died in 1996 in Madrid, Spain.- Maribel del Prado was born in 1972 in Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. She was an actress, known for Hospital Central (2000), Al salir de clase (1997) and 7 vidas (1999). She died on 2 October 2012 in Spain.
- Actress
- Writer
Beatriz Montañez was born in 1977 in Almadén, Ciudad Real, Castilla La Mancha, Spain. She is an actress and writer, known for 7 vidas (1999), 88 (2012) and Girl Gets Girl (2015).- Writer
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Antonio Gala was born on 2 October 1930 in Brazatortas, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. He was a writer, known for Si las piedras hablaran (1972), Digan lo que digan (1968) and Esa mujer (1969). He died on 28 May 2023 in Córdoba, Córdoba, Andalucía, Spain.- Writer
- Actor
- Director
Millán Salcedo was born on 2 March 1954 in Brazatortas, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. He is a writer and actor, known for Un Millán de cosas (1998), Kety no para (1997) and The Crazy Story of the Three Musketeers (1983).- Composer
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Ángel Arteaga was born on 28 January 1928 in Ciudad Real, Spain. Ángel was a composer, known for La Celestina (1969), Perversión (1974) and Docteur Justice (1975). Ángel died on 17 January 1984 in Madrid, Spain.- Enrique Rubio was born in 1920 in Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. He was a writer, known for Escape (2024), Investigación en marcha (1970) and Adelante el inventor (1965). He died on 9 December 2005 in Barcelona, Spain.
- Editor
- Editorial Department
- Sound Department
José Salcedo was born in 1949 in Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. He was an editor, known for All About My Mother (1999), Broken Embraces (2009) and The Skin I Live In (2011). He died on 19 September 2017 in Madrid, Spain.- Actor
- Casting Department
- Director
Jesús Fernández was born in 1950 in Torralba de Calatrava, Ciudad Real, Spain. He is an actor and director, known for Cenizas (2002), Vecinos (2005) and Mulciber (2002).- Yola Berrocal was born on 15 September 1970 in Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. She is an actress, known for Torrente 4: Lethal Crisis (2011), Brain Drain (2009) and Torrente 2: Misión en Marbella (2001).
- Carlos Lemos was born in 1909 in Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. He was an actor, known for Estudio 1 (1965), Curro Jiménez (1976) and La llamada (1966). He died on 22 February 1988 in Madrid, Spain.
- Additional Crew
- Actor
- Sound Department
Simón Ramírez was born on 27 August 1932 in Alcázar de San Juan, Ciudad Real, Spain. He was an actor, known for The Son of Captain Blood (1962), Tres días de noviembre (1977) and Tombs of the Blind Dead (1972). He died in 1997 in Madrid, Spain.- Tomás Roncero was born on 9 May 1965 in Villarrubia de los Ojos, Ciudad Real, Spain. He is an actor, known for Torrente 5 (2014), Alguna pregunta més? (2004) and Punto pelota (2008).
- Valentín Hidalgo was born on 13 March 1961 in Valdepeñas, Ciudad Real, Spain. He was an actor, known for Matar al Nani (1988), Un buen novio (1998) and I Will Survive (1999). He died on 19 July 2001 in Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain.
- Amparo Pacheco was born on 30 November 1924 in La Solana, Ciudad Real, Castilla La Mancha, Spain. She was an actress, known for A tortas con la vida (2005), Pacto de brujas (2003) and Aquí no hay quien viva (2003). She was married to Manuel Salamanca. She died on 27 April 2017 in Madrid, Spain.
- Writer
- Actor
- Art Department
Francisco Nieva was born on 29 December 1924 in Valdepeñas, Ciudad Real, Spain. He was a writer and actor, known for Teatro breve (1966), Anna and the Wolves (1973) and Cousin Angelica (1974). He was married to Geneviève Escande. He died on 10 November 2016 in Madrid, Spain.- Set Decorator
- Production Designer
- Art Director
Enrique Alarcón was born on 13 June 1917 in Campo de Criptana, Ciudad Real, Spain. He was a set decorator and production designer, known for La violetera (1958), La gran mentira (1956) and The Prodigal Woman (1946). He died on 13 June 1995.- Actor
- Soundtrack
Dani Fernández was born on 11 December 1991 in Alcázar de San Juan, Ciudad Real, Spain. He is an actor, known for IP-Laserie (2012), Auryn Feat. Anastacia: Who's Loving You (2016) and Operación triunfo (2001).- Producer
- Production Manager
- Additional Crew
Isidro F. Requena was born on 17 December 1956 in Ciudad Real, Spain. He is a producer and production manager, known for Hermana, pero ¿qué has hecho? (1995), ¡Ja me maaten...! (2000) and Segunda enseñanza (1986).- Domingo Miras was born in 1934 in Ciudad Real, Spain. He was a writer, known for Estudio 1 (1965). He died on 20 January 2022 in Campo de Criptana, Ciudad Real, Spain.
- Ángela Vallvey was born in 1964 in San Lorenzo de Calatrava, Ciudad Real, Spain.
- Cayo Lara was born in 1952 in Argamasilla de Alba, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain.
- Casimiro García Abadillo was born in 1957 in La Solana, Ciudad Real, Castilla La Mancha, Spain.
- Macarena Aguilar was born on 12 March 1985 in Bolaños de Cañatrava, Ciudad Real, Spain.
- Manuel Marín was born on 21 October 1949 in Ciudad Real, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. He died on 4 December 2017 in Madrid, Spain.
- Jesús de Manuel was born on 14 September 1981 in Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain.
- Virtudes Sánchez was born on 4 March 1984 in Almuradiel, province of Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain.
- Eduardo San Martín was born in 1947 in Ciudad Real, Spain. He is a producer, known for Desaparecido (2017), Amor a la Verdad (2023) and El País con la Constitución (2016).
- Costume and Wardrobe Department
Manuel Piña was born in 1944 in Manzanares, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. He is known for In the Shade (1987), Sé infiel y no mires con quién (1985) and Por la mañana (1987). He died on 8 October 1994 in Manzanares, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain.- Xavier Alcalá was born in 1947 in Miguelturra, Ciudad Real, Castilla La Mancha, Spain. He is an actor, known for Xa (2003), Encontros (1986) and Zigag diario (1995).
- Fran García was born on 14 August 1999 in Bolaños de Calatrava, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain.
- Emilio Calatayud was born on 22 December 1955 in Ciudad Real, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain.
- Rubén Sobrino was born on 1 June 1992 in Daimiel, Ciudad Real, Castile-La Mancha, Spain.
- Director
- Writer
- Additional Crew
Francisco Quintanar was born on 22 July 1958 in Campo de Criptana, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. He is a director and writer, known for La tele de tu vida (2007), Cine de barrio (1995) and ¡Porque yo lo valgo! (2009).- Manuel Pérez Castell was born on 12 February 1948 in Ciudad Real, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain.
- Fred Galiana was born on 2 July 1931 in Quintanar de la Orden, Ciudad Real, Spain. He was an actor, known for Escuela de periodismo (1956), 091 Policía al habla (1960) and ¡Es mi hombre! (1966). He died on 4 July 2005 in Orihuela, Alicante, Spain.
- Music Department
- Composer
- Actor
Luis Cobos was born in Campo de Criptana, Ciudad Real, Spain. He is known for What Have I Done to Deserve This? (1984), La corte de Faraón (1985) and El día que nací yo (1991).- Music Department
- Composer
- Soundtrack
Víctor Merlo was born in 1965 in Valdepeñas, Ciudad Real, Spain. He is a composer, known for Julieta (2016), The Kite Runner (2007) and Bad Education (2004).