Spanish actors in Hollywood

The talent of Spanish performers has always caught the attention of Hollywood, even though their presence has been symbolic until recently. The language barrier is the main disadvantage. Nevertheless, who could forget Sara Montiel responding to Gary Cooper and Burt Lancaster in Vera Cruz (1954) or Fernando Rey as one of the most formidable drug dealers in the history of film in French Connection (1971)? The young face of 12-year-old Jorge Sanz in Conan the Barbarian (1982) even comes to mind. Since the 1990s, Spanish actors and actresses have come to Hollywood to stay. The first was Antonio Banderas, who started playing supporting roles in films like Philadelphia (1993) or Interview with the Vampire (1994) and ended up starring in The Mask of Zorro (1998), gave voice to Puss in Boots (2011) from the Shrek universe and was crowned with an Oscar nomination for Pain and Glory (2019).

Antonio Banderas planted the roots that allowed the others to take flight. He was followed by Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz, who became the first Spanish actors to win an Academy Award: him for No Country for Old Men (2007) and her for Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008). Each of them has also had three other nominations, alongside the recognition and admiration of critics and the public. Applause that, recently, the Spanish Cuban actress Ana de Armas is also receiving for her work on films like Knives Out (2019), Blonde (2022)—Oscar nomination included—or Ballerina (2025). Other actors with a solid Hollywood career are Jordi Mollá—Bad Boys II (2003), Knight & Day (2010) or In the Heart of the Sea (2015)—, Paz Vega—Spanglish (2005), Kill the Messenger (2014) or Rambo: Last Blood (2019)—, the German-Spanish actor Daniel Brühl—The Bourne Ultimatum (2007), Inglourious Basterds (2009) or Captain America: Civil War (2016)—and Elsa Pataky in four of the Fast & Furious films, among other motion pictures. But there are many more, even though you might not remember them. Let us refresh your memory!

Elena Anaya

After performing in such acclaimed films as Familia (1996) or Sex and Lucia (2001), Elena Anaya (Palencia, 1975) made it to Hollywood to play one of Dracula’s brides in Van Helsing (2004). Starring Hugh Jackman, this is not the only star this actress has crossed paths with: Julianne Moore (Savage Grace, 2007) or Meg Ryan (In the Land of Women, 2007). A decade later, she played Doctor Poison, the DC Comics villain in the blockbuster Wonder Woman (2017).

Óscar Jaenada

What happens when you Google “Spanish Johnny Depp”? Well, the name Óscar Jaenada (Esplugas de Llobregat, Barcelona, 1975) comes up. As fate would have it, they both performed in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011). This hasn’t been the only experience in Hollywood—The Losers, The Cold Light of Day or The Shallows—of a globe-trotting actor who is well-loved in Mexico, where he played Cantinflas in a film (Cantinflas, 2014) which won him the Platino Award for Best Actor.

Aitana Sánchez-Gijón

The time Aitana Sánchez-Gijón (Rome, Italy, 1968) spent in Hollywood was short but sweet. In 1995, she starred in the romantic drama A Walk in the Clouds alongside Keanu Reeves. A few years ago, the actress confessed why that was the first and last time: “The experience was really good, but I also felt really alone, like that was not my place.” Back in Spain, she established herself as one of the great dames of Spanish cinema, confirmed by the Honorary Goya Award she received in 2025.

Elena Anaya in the film ‘Van Helsing,’ starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale. © United International Pictures - Universal Pictures

Óscar Jaenada performed in the fourth instalment of ‘The Pirates of the Caribbean’ alongside Penélope Cruz. © Walt Disney Pictures / Jerry Bruckheimer Films

Aitana Sánchez-Gijón starred in ‘A Walk in the Clouds’ alongside Keanu Reeves. © 20th Century Fox

Sergio Peris-Mencheta has performed in several action films like ‘Rambo: Last Blood.’ © Metropolitan FilmExport / Millennium Films / Lionsgate

Previous Next

Sergio Peris-Mencheta

We all know who Rambo is—for the absent-minded, he is the iconic Vietnam veteran embodied by Sylvester Stallone—, but few have seen him face to face. The Spaniard Sergio Peris-Mencheta (Madrid, 1975) is one of the few because he performed in the last instalment of the saga: Last Blood (2019). A commercial film that contrasts with his career in Spain, centred on directing theatre. His debut in Hollywood happened almost a decade before, when he starred in Love Ranch (2010) alongside Helen Mirren and Joe Pesci.

María Valverde

The face of María Valverde (Madrid, 1997) revolutionized Spanish cinema with her debut in The Weakness of the Bolshevik (2003). At the tender age of 16, she won over Luis Tosar, the audience and the Spanish academy, which granted her the Goya Award for Best New Actress. A decade later, after the Spanish blockbuster Three Steps Above Heaven (2010) alongside Mario Casas, she landed in Hollywood to work under Ridley Scott—the director of Alien, Blade Runner or Gladiator—in Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014).

Juan Diego Botto

If you saw The Suicide Squad (2021), you will remember the scenes Juan Diego Botto (Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1975) shared with one of the biggest stars of Hollywood today, Margot Robbie. The face-offs between General Luna and Harley Quinn are priceless. More proof of the versatility of an actor who is also one of the most acclaimed playwrights in Spain. His next North American experience is also promising: Day Drinker, starring Johnny Depp and Penélope Cruz, will premiere in 2026.

María Valverde caught the attention of Ridley Scott, who cast her in ‘Exodus: Gods and Kings.’ © 20th Century Fox / Scott Free Productions / Chernin Entertainment

Juan Diego Botto shared several scenes with the stellar Margot Robbie in ‘The Suicide Squad.’ © Warner Bros / Atlas Entertainment / DC Comics

Laia Costa has been cast in several US indie productions, like ‘Newness.’ © Scott Free Productions / Lost City

Luis Tosar’s time in Hollywood was fleeting but famous: he played a role in ‘Miami Vice.’ © United International Pictures - Universal Pictures

Previous Next

Laia Costa

One of the faces of new Spanish cinema, Laia Costa (Barcelona, 1985)—winner of the Goya Award for Best Actress for Lullaby (2022)—has also shone bright in Hollywood. After taking part in more independent films—Newness (2017), Piercing (2018) or Life Itself (2018)—this will be the year her name reverberates around the world. This actress will star in the new version of a classic: The Mummy. Directed by Lee Cronin, it is one of the most awaited horror films of the year.

Luis Tosar

How many times has Hollywood knocked on the door of Luis Tosar (Xustás, Lugo, 1971)? We do not know the specific number, but we are sure that there have been a few since he performed in Michael Mann’s Miami Vice (2006). The actor admits that the experience was positive, but not enough to do another major production of that nature. In Spain, he has done well for himself; proof of this are the three Goya Awards that decorate his living room.

We cannot end this list without mentioning the highlights of other Spanish actors and actresses in Hollywood. After the success of Pan's Labyrinth (2006), Ivana Baquero co-starred in The New Daughter (2009) alongside Kevin Costner. Álex González delved into the Marvel universes by bringing to life one of the villains in X-Men: First Class (2011). Eduardo Noriega is another actor who has taken his first steps in the United States, performing in Vantage Point (2008) and The Last Stand (2013). Another actor who has had much success across the pond since his role in the series of worldwide acclaim Money Heist is Enrique Arce, whom we have seen in Terminator: Dark Fate (2018), On the Line (2022) or Murder Mistery 2 (2023). Something similar has happened to Úrsula Corberó, who has starred in a couple of motion pictures: Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins (2021) and Lift (2024). Who will be the next to land in Hollywood?