Maribel Verdú

Maribel Verdú
Maribel Verdú, 2011
Born	María Isabel Verdú Rollán (1970-10-02) 2 October 1970 (age 46) Madrid, Spain
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1985–present
Spouse(s)	Pedro Larrañaga (1999–present)

María Isabel "Maribel" Verdú Rollán (Spanish pronunciation: [maɾiˈβel βerˈðu]; born 2 October 1970) is a Spanish actress. She is known to English-speaking audiences for playing Luisa in Alfonso Cuarón's 2001 film Y tu mamá también and Mercedes in Guillermo del Toro's 2006 film Pan's Labyrinth. In Spain she is known for films such as Lovers (Amantes), Belle Époque, The Blind Sunflowers (Los girasoles ciegos) and Blancanieves.

Verdú was born in Madrid, Spain. She began acting at 13, appearing in various commercials. She left school at the age of 15 so 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 in numerous TV shows.

Her first experience was as a model in spots and fashion magazines by known commercial firms. Her first television opportunity was given to her at the age of 13 by Vicente Aranda in The Crime of Captain Sánchez.

It was 27 Hours, by Montxo Armendáriz, about a girl who is a drug addict, that was one of the most powerful experiences in her life up to that point. It was the film where others started to notice her. A little after this film other more important films started coming her way, which included La Estanquera de Vallecas by Eloy de la Iglesia and El Año de las Luces by Fernando Trueba.