María Isabel Verdú Rollán (born 2 October 1970), better known as Maribel Verdú (Spanish: [maɾiˈβel βeɾˈðu]), is a Spanish actress. She is the recipient of numerous accolades throughout her career spanning nearly four decades, including two Goya Awards for Best Actress, an Ariel Award for Best Actress, the Gold Medal of the Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences of Spain in 2008 and the National Cinematography Award in 2009.
Verdú made her acting debut at thirteen in Captain Sánchez's Crime (1985). Some of her film credits include performances in Lovers (1991), Belle Époque (1992), Lucky Star (1997), Y tu mamá también (2001), Pan's Labyrinth (2006), The Blind Sunflowers (2008), Tetro (2009), Snow White (2012), and Abracadabra (2017). She also appeared as Nora Allen in the DC Extended Universe film The Flash (2023), her second superhero film credit after Superlópez (2018).
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Early life
Verdú was born in Madrid, Spain. She began acting at 13, appearing in various commercials. She left school at the age of 15, so that she could fully devote herself to her acting career. Verdú has appeared in more than 60 movies, since 1984, the majority of them in Spanish. She has also been on numerous TV shows.
Career
Her first work experience was as a model in spots and fashion magazines for known commercial firms. Her first television opportunity was given to her at 13, featuring in the anthology series La huella del crimen, directed by Vicente Aranda in the episode "Captain Sánchez's Crime".
She made her feature film debut in El sueño de Tánger at age 14, starring alongside Fabio Testi. Shot in 1985, the film underwent a production hell, and was not released until 1991. Her first appearance in a theatrical release was thus in the 1986 film El orden cómico.
27 Hours, by Montxo Armendáriz, about a girl who is a drug addict, was one of the most powerful experiences in her life, up to that point. After this film, other more important films started coming her way, including Hostages in the Barrio by Eloy de la Iglesia and Year of Enlightment by Fernando Trueba.
Later, Verdú said that her role in Lovers marked a turning point in her screen career and has brought about maturity as a performer. Thereafter, she worked with such directors as José Luis Garci in Cradle Song; Bigas Luna in Golden Balls; again with Trueba in the Academy Award winner Belle Époque; Emilio Martínez-Lázaro in Backroads; Carlos Saura in Goya in Bordeaux; and Gonzalo Suárez in The Goalkeeper and Oviedo Express.
Verdú's performance in drama Lucky Star (1997) earned her another goya award nomination; she played one-eyed pregnant Marina, in a love triangle with a gelded butcher and a handsome criminal.
She made her debut in an international work in Y tu mamá también (2001), portraying Luisa Cortés, an exotic madrileña who ends up accepting a trip offer across rural Mexico from a Mexican cousin-in-law and his friend. In 2002, she starred as the title character in comedy peplum Lisístrata, playing an Athenian woman setting up a sex strike. She was cast against type to portray maid and guerrilla informant Mercedes in Pan's Labyrinth (2006). Verdú was invited to membership in the AMPAS in 2007. Verdú's performance in Seven Billiard Tables (2007) earned Verdú her first Goya Award for Best Actress.
In 2010, Maribel starred in a music video for Alejandro Sanz's song "Lola Soledad".
Personal life
Verdú married Pedro Larrañaga on 2 September 1999. He is the son of actors Carlos Larrañaga and María Luisa Merlo. Verdú is the stockholder of the clinic Premium in Estepona.
Accolades
Lifetime achievements
Gold Medal of the Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences of Spain in 2008.
National Cinematography Award by the Spanish Ministry of Culture in 2009.
