Spanish actor Marisa Paredes dies at 78

Marisa Paredes, an acclaimed Spanish actor who achieved international fame by starring in many films by director Pedro Almodovar, has died at 78, Spain's film academy said on Tuesday.

Paredes started acting at 14 and appeared in more than 75 movies during her career, including Almodovar's "All About My Mother," "The Flower of My Secret," and "High Heels." She earned the moniker "Almodovar's girl."

"Spanish cinema is left without one of its most iconic actresses, Marisa Paredes," the academy said in a statement.

"Strong, ambivalent, heartbroken, passionate, enigmatic and ultimately very human women made up the acting work of the woman from Madrid," it added.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on X that he was "devastated" by the death of Paredes, "one of the most important actresses our country has produced."

(FILES) Spanish actress Marisa Paredes acknowledges the public before receiving an honorary award for her career at the 32nd Goya awards ceremony in Madrid on February 3, 2018. Marisa Paredes, an acclaimed Spanish actor who achieved international fame by starring in many films by director Pedro Almodovar, has died at 78, the Spanish film academy said on December 17, 2024.Photo by MICHEL GANGNE / AFP

"Her presence in cinema and theatre and her commitment to democracy will be an example for future generations. A heartfelt hug to her family and loved ones. Thank you, Marisa."

Gilles Jacob, former president of the Cannes Film Festival, paid tribute to Paredes on X for her "calm grace, that gentle cheerfulness that she ignited with one look of her pale eyes."

Paredes was born in a working-class part of Madrid in 1946 as the country recovered from its devastating 1936-1939 civil war under the dictatorship of General Francisco Franco.

She told the film academy, "My vocation was born with me... but it had a lot to do with the neighborhood where I lived," close to a theatre.

She became a star in Spain, but her international career took off after she first collaborated with Almodovar on "Dark Habits" in 1983, beginning a long collaboration.

(FILES)Spanish actress Marisa Paredes acknowledges the public before receiving an honorary award for her career at the 32nd Goya awards ceremony in Madrid on February 3, 2018. Paredes, with an extensive and applauded career, died at the age of 78, the Spanish Film Academy said December 17, 2024. Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP

"Marisa placed full confidence in me and gave me everything," the Oscar-winning director and symbol of post-dictatorship Spain told French newspaper Liberation in 1995.

Having previously been nominated twice for Spain's Goya national film awards, Paredes was awarded an honorary Goya in 2018.

"It's a matter of taking this trade rigorously and seriously. It requires dedication, courage, strength: discouragement must not defeat you," she told the Academy magazine upon receiving the prize.

She also acted in international films, such as "Life is Beautiful" by Italian director Roberto Benigni and "The Devil's Backbone" by Mexican Guillermo del Toro.

Paredes served as president of the Spanish Film Academy from 2000 to 2003.