Cecilia Roth

Though she carries a strong association as one of Spanish auteur director Pedro Almodóvar's most recognizable muses, actress Cecilia Roth is actually a native of Argentina, born and raised in Buenos Aires. In 1976, at age 20, Roth moved to Spain with her family to avoid the rising military oppression. She made her film debut that same year, first collaborating with Almodóvar--arguably Spain's greatest filmmaker-- in 1982, with a supporting part in his rhythmically-titled comedy "Pepi, Luci, Bom and Other Girls Like Mom." Almodóvar cast Roth in several more of his films during the '80s, and then, after Roth had returned to Argentina and after not working together for several years, they reunited in 1999 to make his Oscar-winning masterpiece, "All About My Mother." Roth herself earned numerous Best Actress awards, including Spain's Goya, for her portrayal of Manuela. Other highlights from her career since returning to Argentina include her starring turns in the 1997 drama "Martin (Hache)" and the 2008 comedy "Empty Nest," both award-winning performances. Working in Argentina, Roth also became more active on television, particularly with her role as Marina Segal on the 2004 crime-horror series "Epitafios"; she reprised the part five years later, with co-star Julio Chávez, on "Epitafios 2."