Penélope Cruz Sánchez (Spanish pronunciation: [peˈnelope kɾuθ ˈsantʃeθ]; born 28 April 1974), known professionally as Penelope Cruz, is a Spanish actress and model. Signed by an agent at age 15, she made her acting debut at 16 on television and her feature film debut the following year in Jamón, jamón (1992) to critical acclaim.