Cuban style
Ana de Armas, born in Havana in 1988, grew up in a small Cuban town surrounded by the simple rhythms of life. She was the daughter of university students, years that carried a quiet happiness and the usual island modesty. She recalls growing up without reliable internet or DVDs at home, which left gaps in popular culture but sparked a curious imagination. As a teenager, she mimicked Emma from the Spice Girls and discovered cinema at a neighbor’s house. One memorable moment saw her reenacting scenes from Danny De Vito in Matilda, a spark that helped steer her toward acting. [Citation: El País, profile of Ana de Armas]
300 Euro to Spain
She enrolled at the Havana Theater School and stood out early, becoming a director in her second year. In collaboration with Jorge Perugorría, she was cast in Una rosa de Francia. At eighteen she obtained a Spanish passport, a dual citizenship shaped by grandparents from Palencia and Leon, and moved to Madrid with only 300 euros in her pocket. [Citation: El País, early career timeline]
Ana de Armas enters adult roles
Her professional path began to broaden as she embraced more mature roles in Spain, laying the groundwork for a sustained acting career. [Citation: EFE, career milestones]
Two weeks later El Internado
After arriving in Spain, she faced the practical challenge of stretching her Cuban savings. A chance meeting with casting director Luis San Narciso led to a role in El Internado. This period forged lasting friendships, including Elena Furiase, and her mother Lolita played a protective, steady role during the early emigrant years. [Citation: EP, early breakthroughs]
Young wife in real life
Love arrived in her life when she wed actor Marc Clotet in 2011 on the Costa Brava. The marriage lasted a brief period, ending two years later, with no public record of the ceremony. [Citation: EP, personal life]
Ana de Armas: I have everything to do in Hollywood
Following the end of that marriage and recognizing that Spanish roles were unlikely to break her from the stereotype of a sexy lead, she set her sights on Los Angeles. Learning English presented a challenge, but she pressed on, balancing acting with an evolving accent and starring in Toc Toc in 2015 opposite Keanu Reeves. Reeves became a supporter who helped open doors for her in Hollywood and offered her a part in another project, launching her international career. [Citation: EFE, Hollywood breakthrough]
From Blade Runner to Bond Girl
Interest in her could not be contained once she appeared in Blade Runner 2049, sharing the screen with Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford. She has since worked with actors like Clive Owen, Robert De Niro, Penelope Cruz, and Helen Hunt. She also became the first Spaniard to be a Bond girl in No Time to Die with Daniel Craig. [Citation: EP, filmography highlights]
Ana de Armas dazzles in Hollywood
Her ascent continued as she established herself as a stylish presence on the red carpet. During the 2019-2020 period she became known for a poised, fashion-forward persona as much as for her acting. [Citation: EP, Hollywood era]
Ben Affleck’s girlfriend
Her relationship with Ben Affleck began during the filming of Deep Water in 2019 and continued through the pandemic, where she managed to become a recognizable style benchmark even in a world without red carpets, walking her dog Elvis and stepping out for coffee with him. After the breakup, she maintained high-profile connections, including a notable partnership with Tinder executive Paul Bukadakis. [Citation: EP, personal life and relationships]
Ana de Armas will star in The Ballerina, the spin-off of John Wick
Plans announced for her to star in The Ballerina, the spin-off from John Wick, underscoring her ongoing trajectory in high-profile action cinema. [Citation: EP, upcoming projects]
Effect, by Time
Time magazine recognized her influence in 2021, highlighting how her talent and evolving screen presence have shaped contemporary cinema. The endorsement came after she collaborated with Jamie Lee Curtis in a project that showcased her range and charisma. [Citation: Time magazine, 2021 influence list]
Netflix’s Marilyn
Ana de Armas is cast to portray Marilyn Monroe in the long-awaited Blonde, a Netflix biopic premiering on September 23. The project is adapted from Joyce Carol Oates’s novel and is produced by Plan B Entertainment, Brad Pitt’s company, following earlier considerations of other actresses. The casting payoff is seen as a bridge between classic Hollywood iconography and modern performance. [Citation: Netflix biopic overview]
She will step into the shoes of Marilyn Monroe, a likeness that has long followed her career, as Blonde marks a pivotal turn in her filmography. The project’s development blends literary adaptation with star-driven cinema, lending depth to her international appeal. [Citation: Industry reports, casting notes]