Ana Celia de Armas Caso (born April 30, 1988) is a Cuban-Spanish-American actress who has rapidly risen to international prominence. Known for her captivating screen presence and versatility, she has successfully transitioned from her Spanish-language roots to become one of Hollywood’s most sought-after leading women, earning critical acclaim and major award nominations along the way.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born in Havana, Cuba, and raised in the town of Santa Cruz del Norte, Ana de Armas decided to pursue acting at a young age. At 14, she was accepted into Havana’s prestigious National Theatre School of Cuba. While still a student, she made her film debut at age 16 in the Cuban romantic drama Una rosa de Francia (2006).
At 18, de Armas left Cuba for Madrid, Spain, where she held Spanish citizenship through her maternal grandparents. Within a short time, she landed a major role as Carolina Leal Solís in the popular Spanish teen drama El Internado (The Boarding School), starring in 56 episodes from 2007 to 2010. This series made her a household name in Spain.
Transition to Hollywood and Breakthrough
Seeking to expand her career, de Armas moved to Los Angeles in 2014. Despite speaking very little English upon arrival, she enrolled in full-time language education and had to start her career “from scratch.” She made her Hollywood debut in the erotic thriller Knock Knock (2015) opposite Keanu Reeves, for which she initially learned her lines phonetically.
Her profile began to rise with supporting roles in films like the crime-comedy War Dogs (2016) and the sci-fi sequel Blade Runner 2049 (2017), where her performance as the holographic A.I. Joi garnered her a Saturn Award nomination.
Her true international breakthrough came with the 2019 ensemble mystery Knives Out. Playing Marta Cabrera, the caring and morally grounded nurse, de Armas stood out among the star-studded cast and earned her first major nominations, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical.
Mainstream Recognition and Major Roles
Following Knives Out, de Armas secured increasingly high-profile roles:
- No Time to Die (2021): As the sassy, capable Bond girl Paloma, a CIA agent assisting James Bond, her limited but memorable screen time was widely praised.
- Blonde (2022): Her fearless portrayal of the iconic Hollywood actress Marilyn Monroe in the biographical drama cemented her status as a dramatic leading actress. This role made her the first Cuban actress to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress, alongside nominations for the BAFTA and Golden Globe Awards.
Recent and Upcoming Projects
De Armas continues to work on diverse projects. Her upcoming films include:
- Ballerina (2025): A spin-off of the John Wick franchise, where she takes the lead role as the assassin Eve Macarro.
- Eden (2025): A survival thriller from director Ron Howard, co-starring Jude Law and Sydney Sweeney.
Personal Life
Ana de Armas holds citizenship in Cuba, Spain, and the United States. She was previously married to Spanish actor and model Marc Clotet from 2011 to 2013. The actress has been lauded for her ability to embody a range of characters and for the determination that allowed her to cross cultural and language barriers to achieve international stardom.
