Ana de Armas

Ana Celia de Armas Caso, born on April 30, 1988, is a talented actress of Cuban and Spanish descent. She embarked on her acting journey in Cuba, where she secured a prominent role in the romantic drama "Una rosa de Francia" in 2006. At the age of 18, she made a pivotal move to Madrid, Spain, where she captivated audiences with her performance in the popular drama series "El Internado," appearing for six seasons from 2007 to 2010.


De Armas then ventured to Los Angeles, where she showcased her versatility by taking on English-speaking roles in films like the psychological thriller "Knock Knock" (2015) and the comedy-crime film "War Dogs" (2016). However, it was her portrayal of the holographic AI projection Joi in the science fiction masterpiece "Blade Runner 2049" (2017) that propelled her to international acclaim.


In 2019, de Armas garnered widespread recognition and acclaim for her role as nurse Marta Cabrera in the mystery film "Knives Out," earning her a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress. She further solidified her status as a rising star with her portrayal of the charismatic Bond girl Paloma in the highly anticipated James Bond film "No Time to Die" (2021).


Continuing to push boundaries, de Armas took on the challenging role of Norma Jeane in the biopic "Blonde" (2022), depicting the iconic Marilyn Monroe. Her stellar performance in the film earned her the distinction of being the first Cuban actress to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
With her remarkable talent and diverse range of roles, Ana de Armas has established herself as one of the most captivating and promising actresses in Hollywood today.

Ana de Armas was born in Havana, Cuba, and spent her formative years in the quaint city of Santa Cruz del Norte. Her familial roots trace back to migrants from northern Spain, specifically El Bierzo, León, and Palencia. Her father, Ramón, held various roles, including bank manager, teacher, school principal, and deputy mayor, while her mother, Ana, worked in the human resources department of the Ministry of Education. Ana has fond memories of her childhood, despite facing challenges such as food rationing and electricity shortages during Cuba's Special Period.


Growing up without internet access and limited exposure to popular culture, Ana's entertainment was restricted to 20 minutes of cartoons on Saturdays and Sunday movie matinees. Hollywood movies were a luxury, often watched in her neighbor's apartment, as her family did not own a video player. Despite these limitations, Ana's passion for acting blossomed early on. At the age of 12, she decided to pursue acting, memorizing and practicing monologues in front of a mirror.


At 14, Ana successfully auditioned for Havana's National Theatre of Cuba, demonstrating her commitment by sometimes hitchhiking to attend classes. She began her acting career in Cuba, starring in three films while still a student. However, she left her drama course before completing her final thesis due to restrictions that required Cuban graduates to fulfill mandatory community service before leaving the country.


At 18, armed with Spanish citizenship through her maternal grandparents, Ana relocated to Madrid to pursue her acting aspirations. This bold move marked the beginning of her journey to becoming an internationally acclaimed actress.


In Cuba, Ana de Armas made her mark in Manuel Gutiérrez Aragón's romantic drama "Una rosa de Francia" (2006), where she starred opposite Álex González. Her involvement in the film was serendipitous, as Cuban actor Jorge Perugorría recommended her to the director after meeting her at a birthday party. The director was so impressed with Ana's talent that he interrupted her audition to offer her the role on the spot. This marked the beginning of her journey in the film industry.


Subsequently, Ana starred in "El edén perdido" (2007) and had a supporting role in Fernando Pérez's "Madrigal" (2007), showcasing her versatility as an actress. However, it was her move to Madrid at the age of 18 that propelled her career to new heights. Shortly after her arrival, she caught the attention of casting director Luis San Narciso, who cast her in the popular drama series "El Internado" (2007-2010), where she played the role of Carolina for six seasons. The show's success elevated Ana's status in Spain and solidified her position as a rising star.


Despite her success in "El Internado," Ana felt pigeonholed and sought to expand her repertoire. She ventured into English-speaking roles, starring in the psychological thriller "Knock Knock" (2015) and the comedy-crime film "War Dogs" (2016). However, it was her role as the holographic AI projection Joi in "Blade Runner 2049" (2017) that catapulted her to international fame.


Ana's journey to success was not without its challenges. During periods of unemployment, she honed her skills by participating in workshops and remained determined to pursue her passion for acting. Her perseverance paid off, leading to a diverse range of roles in both Spanish and international cinema.


Through dedication, talent, and a relentless pursuit of her dreams, Ana de Armas has emerged as one of the most promising talents in the film industry, captivating audiences with her captivating performances and undeniable charisma.

References

1.  "Ana de Armas Makes History as First Cuban Nominated For Best Actress Oscar". Collider. 24 January 2023. Archived from the original on 22 May 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
2. ^ Nicolaou, Elena (12 March 2020). "The Most Interesting Thing About Ana de Armas Isn't Ben Affleck". O, The Oprah Magazine. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. De Armas was born on April 30, 1988...
3. a b c Ximénez, Mario. "De Cuba a Madrid, y hasta los cielos de Hollywood: la historia de Ana de Armas / From Cuba to Madrid, and to the skies of Hollywood: the story of Ana de Armas". Vogue (Spanish ed.). Archived from the original on 21 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020. Ana Celia de Armas Caso nació hace 31 años en La Habana / Ana Celia de Armas Caso was born 31 years ago [as of 15 March 2020] in Havana...
4. a b "Ana de Armas on Making the Jump from Cuba to Spain to Hollywood". Vanity Fair. 15 August 2016. Archived from the original on 31 March 2021. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
5. ^ Viñas, Veronica (1 April 2020). "Young woman from Leon retires James Bond". Diario de Leon. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
6. a b c d e f Navarro, Isabel (17 March 2020). "Ana de Armas: "Mi punto fuerte es que no hay otra como yo"". Mujer Hoy (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 19 June 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
7. a b c "Ana de Armas Is Conquering Hollywood in Record Time". C Magazine. 24 October 2019. Archived from the original on 20 February 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
8. a b c "De Cuba a Madrid, y hasta los cielos de Hollywood: la historia de Ana de Armas". Vogue España (in European Spanish). Archived from the original on 21 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
9. a b c d e f g h Crespo, Cecilia (1 August 2015). "Ana de Armas: A Cuban Women Out To Conquer Hollywood". On Cuba Magazine. Archived from the original on 5 November 2016.
10. ^ "Ana de Armas is conquering Hollywood in record time". 24 October 2019. Archived from the original on 12 December 2019. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
11. ^ "When my brother finds a photo of me, he took back in 2015". Instagram. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
12. ^ Noticias, Asere (16 January 2020). "Javier Caso, hermano de Ana de Armas, es interrogado por la Seguridad del Estado". Asere Noticias (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
13. a b c d "En mi primera película me enamoré de varias personas, eso ahora no me pasará". Vanity Fair (in Spanish). 9 December 2019. Archived from the original on 23 December 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
14. a b c d Crespo, Irene (28 September 2017). "Ana de Armas: "Antes de 'Blade Runner' no me salía nada, por el acento"". El País (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 22 November 2019. Retrieved 17 March 2020.