Top 100 Spanish & Portuguese Actresses

Inocencia Alcubierre was born in 1901 in Uncastillo, Zaragoza, Aragón, Spain. She was an actress, known for Lilian (1923), Don Juan Tenorio (1922) and La malcasada (1926). She died on 12 August 1930 in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.

María Banquer is known for Rosi y los demás (1963), Estudio 3 (1963) and La malcasada (1926).

Carmen Viance was born on 21 June 1905 in Madrid, Spain. She was an actress, known for La casa de la Troya (1925), Currito de la Cruz (1936) and La aldea maldita (1930). She died on 24 July 1985 in Madrid, Madrid, Spain.

Amelia Muñoz was born in 1909. She was an actress, known for Sombras del circo (1931), Una extraña aventura de Luis Candelas (1926) and El dos de Mayo (1927). She died in 1930.

María Luz Callejo was born on 31 July 1904 in Madrid, Spain. She was an actress, known for La chavala (1925), La fruta amarga (1931) and Los chicos de la escuela (1925). She died in 1964.

María Casares was born on 21 November 1922 in A Coruña, Galicia, Spain. She was an actress, known for Children of Paradise (1945), Orpheus (1950) and The Ladies of the Bois de Boulogne (1945). She was married to André Schlesser. She died on 22 November 1996 in Alloue, Charente, France.

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 Madness of Love (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.

Blanca de Silos was born on 3 August 1914 in Vitoria, Álava, País Vasco, Spain. She was an actress, known for Mariona Rebull (1947), Castillo de naipes (1943) and Éramos siete a la mesa (1942). She was married to Baron Max von Kettenburg. She died on 13 September 2002 in Segovia, Segovia, Castilla y León, Spain.

María Dolores Pradera was born on 29 August 1924 in Madrid, Spain. She was an actress, known for Zalacaín el aventurero (1955), Es peligroso asomarse al exterior (1946) and María Antonia 'La Caramba' (1951). She was married to Fernando Fernán Gómez. She died on 28 May 2018 in Madrid, Spain.

Isabel de Pomés was born on 10 April 1924 in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. She was an actress, known for The Tower of the Seven Hunchbacks (1944), El alcalde de Zalamea (1954) and La culpa del otro (1942). She died on 31 May 2007 in Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain.

Ana Mariscal was born on 31 July 1923 in Madrid, Spain. She was an actress and director, known for Segundo López, aventurero urbano (1953), Una sombra en la ventana (1945) and Un hombre va por el camino (1949). She was married to Valentín Javier. She died on 28 March 1995 in Madrid, Spain.

María Rosa Salgado was born on 20 April 1929 in Madrid, Spain. She was an actress, known for Don Juan (1950), To an Unknown God (1977) and El teatro (1970). She died on 11 March 1995 in Madrid, Madrid, Spain.

Lolita Sevilla was born on 11 March 1935 in Sevilla, Andalucía, Spain. She was an actress, known for Welcome Mr. Marshall! (1953), Lo que cuesta vivir... (1967) and Habanera (1961). She was married to José María Gallardo. She died on 16 December 2013 in Madrid, Spain.

Mary Carrillo was born on 14 October 1919 in Toledo, Toledo, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. She was an actress, known for The Little Apartment (1958), La colmena (1982) and Más allá del jardín (1996). She was married to Diego Hurtado. She died on 31 July 2009 in Madrid, Spain.

Núria Espert was born on 11 June 1935 in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. She is an actress and director, known for Actresses (1997), Lletres catalanes (1974) and Barcelona (A Map) (2007).

Elvira Quintillá was born on 19 September 1928 in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. She was an actress, known for Juzgado permanente (1954), El guardián del paraíso (1955) and Estudio 1 (1965). She was married to José María Rodero. She died on 27 December 2013 in Madrid, Spain.

Emma Penella was born on 2 March 1930 in Madrid, Spain. She was an actress, known for Fortunata y Jacinta (1970), The Executioner (1963) and Fedra, the Devil's Daughter (1956). She was married to Emiliano Piedra. She died on 27 August 2007 in Madrid, Spain.

Marta del Val is known for El buen amor (1963).

Spanish-born actress who began working in films as a child in the 1960s, graduating to adult heroine roles in mostly horror films. Galbo quit the movie business in the 1980s and now tours the world as a flamenco dancer.

At a young age she went to Barcelona where she studied theater in the "Instituto del Teatro" with Marta Grau. She debuted in theater in 1944 in Barcelona and in 1948 in the "Teatro Espanol de Madrid". She married a Mexican medical doctor, temporarily interrupting her career. In 1967 she came back to Spain and started working again.

Enriqueta Carballeira was born on 28 April 1944 in Madrid, Madrid, Spain. She is an actress, known for Tiempo de amor (1964), Aunt Tula (1964) and La frontera de Dios (1965). She was previously married to Javier Aguirre.

María José Alfonso was born on 27 March 1940 in Madrid, Spain. She is an actress, known for La niña de luto (1964), Manolo, la nuit (1973) and Oh! Mammy Blue (2018). She has been married to Francisco Molero since 1965.

Julia Gutiérrez Caba was born on 20 October 1934 in Madrid, Spain. She is an actress, known for Nunca pasa nada (1963), Tiempo de amor (1964) and Los Serrano (2003). She was previously married to Manuel Collado.

Sonia Bruno was born on 31 July 1943 in Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. She is an actress, known for El juego de la oca (1965), Oscuros sueños de agosto (1968) and La chica de los anuncios (1968). She has been married to José Martínez 'Pirri' since 1969.

María Massip was born on 15 December 1942 in Albacete, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. She was an actress, known for Colorín colorado (1976), El teatro (1970) and Estudio 1 (1965). She was married to Juan Miguel Lamet. She died on 10 July 2002 in Madrid, Madrid, Spain.