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Who Is Ana de Armas?
Ana de Armas is a Cuban-born actress who gained international recognition for her standout performances in both Spanish and Hollywood films. She began her acting career in Cuba before making her mark in Spanish television and cinema, eventually transitioning to Hollywood. Notable roles include her performances in Blade Runner 2049 (2017), Knives Out (2019), and No Time to Die (2021). Her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in Blonde (2022) further solidified her status as one of Hollywood’s most versatile and in-demand actresses.
How Old Is Ana de Armas?
Ana Celia de Armas Caso was born on April 30, 1988, in Santa Cruz del Norte, Cuba.
Early Life and Theater School
De Armas was raised in a small beach town on Cuba’s northern coast, where she spent much of her childhood outdoors, due to the lack of modern entertainment like video games. Her family moved to Havana when she was nine, where her exposure to city life ignited her passion for performance. At 14, she enrolled in Cuba’s prestigious National Theater School, marking the beginning of her professional journey. She made her film debut at 16 in Una rosa de Francia (2006) and continued with notable roles in Madrigal and El edén perdido (2007). However, by 18, de Armas chose to leave school to pursue acting full-time.
Spanish Films and TV Shows
De Armas’ move to Spain marked the start of her television career, where she landed the role of Carolina in the hit Spanish teen drama El Internado (2007-2010). The show’s success led to further roles, including a part in Mentiras y Gordas (2009) and a prominent role in the historical drama Hispania, la leyenda (2010-2012). Her film career continued with the horror movie El callejón (2011) and the romantic comedy Por un puñado de Besos (2014).
American Movies
Seeking broader opportunities, de Armas moved to the United States in 2014, where she began learning English and auditioning for Hollywood roles. Her debut in American cinema came with the psychological thriller Knock Knock (2015), where she starred alongside Keanu Reeves. She continued to build her Hollywood presence with roles in Hands of Stone (2016), playing the wife of boxing legend Roberto Durán, and War Dogs (2016), where she appeared alongside Miles Teller and Jonah Hill.
‘Blade Runner 2049’
De Armas’ career reached new heights with her role as Joi in Blade Runner 2049 (2017), the highly anticipated sequel to the 1982 sci-fi classic. Her portrayal of Joi, a holographic companion, was praised for providing the emotional depth to the film’s exploration of artificial intelligence, and her performance became a key factor in the film’s commercial and critical success.
‘Knives Out’
De Armas’ portrayal of Marta, a complex and morally driven character in Knives Out (2019), earned her widespread acclaim. Despite initial reservations about her character being a stereotypical “pretty Latin caretaker,” she embraced the role and delivered a performance that garnered her a Golden Globe nomination. Her portrayal helped solidify her position as one of Hollywood’s most exciting rising stars.
‘No Time to Die’ and ‘The Gray Man’
While No Time to Die, the 25th James Bond film, garnered attention for its production delays and COVID-related setbacks, the numerous script revisions resulted in a notable opportunity for Cuban actress Ana de Armas. Cast as CIA Agent Paloma, her performance was a standout, providing a memorable highlight in Daniel Craig’s final appearance as 007. Despite de Armas’s admission that action roles are not her typical comfort zone, she embraced her portrayal of a CIA operative once again in The Gray Man, the summer 2022 Netflix thriller, starring alongside Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans.
‘Blonde’
Another defining moment in de Armas’s career came when she was chosen to portray Marilyn Monroe in Blonde, Andrew Dominik’s adaptation of Joyce Carol Oates’s best-selling novel. Reflecting on the challenge of convincing others that a Cuban actress could embody the iconic American bombshell, de Armas shared her experience with Vanity Fair: “I only had to audition for Marilyn once, and Andrew said, ‘It’s you,’ but I had to audition for everyone else. The producers. The money people. I always had people I needed to convince.” The trailer’s release sparked some debate over the actress’s lingering Spanish accent, but both the Marilyn Monroe Estate and producer Brad Pitt defended her performance ahead of the film’s September 2022 debut.
Relationships, Personal Life, and Ben Affleck
De Armas’s personal life has also captured public attention, particularly following her marriage to Spanish actor and model Marc Clotet from 2011 to 2013. In 2020, she was in the media spotlight once again when she began a highly publicized relationship with Hollywood actor Ben Affleck, her co-star in Deep Water (2022). Following their split, she became involved with Paul Boukadakis, an executive at Tinder.
In addition to her acting career, de Armas serves as a spokesperson for Only Natural Diamonds. She remains deeply connected to her Cuban roots, frequently visiting the home she owns in Havana and maintaining strong ties with her family and friends there.