Javier Bardem's Early Life
Javier Ángel Encinas Bardem was born on March 1, 1969 in the Canary Islands, Spain, and was raised mostly by his mother, actress Pilar Bardem. His siblings, Carlos and Mónica, are also actors. His background consists of a variety of filmmakers, actors, writers, and political figures.
While he grew up surrounded by cinema, making his first film appearance at the age of six, he initially wanted to become a painter. However, he eventually abandoned it in favor of acting and took up several small roles to pay for his passion.
Javier Bardem's Rise to Fame and Career
After first gaining notice for 1990's The Ages of Lulu, acting alongside his mother Pilar, he became a noted sex symbol thanks to 1992's Jamón, Jamón opposite Penélope Cruz. His breakthrough came with 2000's Before Night Falls, which earned him his first Academy Award nomination.
He eventually won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for 2007's No Country For Old Men, the first Spaniard to do so, and was noted as one of the most acclaimed actors of his generation. He also won the Golden Globe, SAG, Critics' Choice, and BAFTA for his performance.
Bardem received further note for Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008), Biutiful (2010), the James Bond flick Skyfall (2012), Mother! (2017), Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017), Dune (2021), Being the Ricardos (2021), and The Little Mermaid (2023), receiving two more Oscar nods for Biutiful and Being the Ricardos.
Javier Bardem's Personal Life
Bardem is notoriously averse to discussing much of his personal life in the media, choosing to instead focus much of his attention to his craft and activism, a passionate and outspoken figure for climate change and humanitarian efforts.
In 2007, he began dating his Vicky Cristina Barcelona co-star Penélope, having worked with her before, and they tied the knot in 2010 in The Bahamas. They have two children: son Leo Encinas Cruz, born January 2011; and Luna Encinas Cruz, born July 2013.
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