---
name: "Carmen Maura"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/carmen-maura"
fi1m_id: "carmen-maura"
imdb_id: "nm0560962"
tmdb_id: 2744
wikidata_id: "Q234807"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "15 September 1945"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 2
average_fi1m_score: 84
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 2
updated: "2026-09-17T18:13:41.447247+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Carmen Maura

## Identity

Carmen Maura

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/carmen-maura
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** carmen-maura
- **IMDb ID:** nm0560962
- **TMDB ID:** 2744
- **Wikidata ID:** Q234807
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carmen_Maura, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q234807, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0560962/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2744

Actor. Born 15 September 1945 in Madrid, Spain.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 15 September 1945, Madrid, Spain
- **Active:** 1988–2006
- **Also known as:** 카르멘 마우라, Carmen García Maura, Carmen G. Maura, María del Carmen García Maura
- **Frequently works with:** [Pedro Almodóvar](https://film.one/person/pedro-almodovar.md)
- **Cannes Film Festival:** 1 Cannes prize (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 84, as actor, over 2 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 84 (1), 2000s 84 (1)
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carmen_Maura, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q234807, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0560962/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2744

## Streaming the US now

- **Tubi:** [*Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown*](https://film.one/film/women-on-the-verge-of-a-nervous-breakdown.md) (84)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Carmen Maura

> Carmen Maura makes comedy and distress feel like ordinary parts of the same day. We value her natural delivery, especially when it gives a family melodrama warmth without asking us to admire the acting.

Carmen Maura makes the family scenes in *Volver* (2006) feel as though the women have known one another long before the film began. Her Irene has an unforced familiarity that matters in a melodrama with so much family trouble to accommodate. She helps us believe that these women would make time for one another even if nobody were watching. That ease lets us attend to the whole family, rather than wait for her next big moment.

The early partnership with Pedro Almodóvar runs from *Pepi, Luci, Bom and Other Girls Like Mom* (1980) to *Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown* (1988). Between them, the harried housewife Gloria in *What Have I Done to Deserve This?* (1984) established her as a major lead for him. That is a useful role through which to understand her appeal: fatigue and practical responsibilities give the comedy something recognisable to work on. Her career beyond Almodóvar includes the dark comedy *Common Wealth* (2000) and work with Álex de la Iglesia and Carlos Saura.

*Volver* brought her back together with Almodóvar, and it gives us the clearest reason to value that partnership. He allows the ensemble time to establish how the women behave together, so their willingness to help feels habitual. Alongside Maura, Lola Dueñas lets Sole's uncertainty complicate the comedy, while Blanca Portillo makes Agustina's troubles worth attending to in their own right. We were moved by the women's readiness to help, because Maura and her colleagues make it seem like something they have done before.

There is a reservation: *Volver* sometimes makes forgiveness too comfortable. The warmth of Maura's performance makes that easier to accept, though we need not agree with every reassurance the film offers. She and Dueñas also prevent it becoming a display built around Penélope Cruz, a useful reminder that an actor's generosity can be part of the pleasure. Start with *Volver*, and allow the other women to hold your attention too.

## Biography

Carmen Maura is a Spanish actress. Born María del Carmen García Maura in Madrid on 15 September 1945, she has worked in film, television and theatre since the late 1960s.

She is known for her frequent collaborations with director Pedro Almodóvar, appearing in films including *Law of Desire* (1987), *Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown* (1988) and *Volver* (2006), in which she played Irene. Other notable credits include *What Have I Done to Deserve This?* (1984), *Matador* (1986), *¡Ay, Carmela!* (1990) and *Common Wealth* (2000). Maura holds the record for the most Goya Awards for Best Actress.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (2)

- *Volver* (2006), Fi1m 84, as Irene — [page](https://film.one/film/volver.md)
- *Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown* (1988), Fi1m 84, as Pepa — [page](https://film.one/film/women-on-the-verge-of-a-nervous-breakdown.md)

## Complete filmography (139)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Misión imposible, no... lo siguiente* (2026), as Contagiada
- *Calle Malaga* (2025), as María Ángeles Muñoz
- *Crazy Old Lady* (2025), as Alicia
- *Land of Women* (2024), series, as Julia
- *Como el mar* (2024), as Mecha
- *My Other Jon* (2023), as Merche
- *Rainbow* (2022), as Coco Cabrera
- *Venice* (2021), as Gringa
- *Chasing Wonders* (2021), as Maribel
- *Deudas* (2021), series, as Pepa Carranza
- *Someone Has to Die* (2020), series, as Amparo
- *Hormigueddon* (2020), as Carmen Maura
- *My Family and the Wolf* (2019), as Grandma Sara
- *In Family I Trust* (2019), as Ángela
- *Seeds* (2018), as Carmen
- *Oh! Mammy Blue* (2018), Actor
- *All About Mothers* (2018), as Thérèse
- *The Kids Are Back* (2017), as Adelina
- *Dirty Kids* (2017), as Teresa
- *La peur du vide* (2017), as Simone
- *People You May Know* (2016), as Rodrigo's mom
- *El futuro ya no es lo que era* (2016), as Carmen
- *Vaca Paloma* (2015), Actor
- *Vanity* (2015), as Esperanza
- *Musical Chairs* (2015), as Lucie
- *A Village Almost Perfect!* (2014), as Carmen
- *La madre* (2013), as la madre
- *Witching & Bitching* (2013), as Graciana Barrenetxea
- *Barefoot in the Kitchen* (2013), as (archive footage)
- *Letter to Eva* (2013), series, as Paca
- *Paulette* (2012), as Maria
- *Stamos okupa2* (2012), series, as Lucía Piqueras
- *Sofia and the Stubborn Man* (2012), as Sofía
- *Let My People Go !* (2011), as Rachel
- *Escalade* (2011), as Alice
- *The Women on the 6th Floor* (2011), as Concepcion
- *Las chicas de Oro* (2010), series, as Rosa
- *Chicas* (2010), as Pilar
- *The Pimp* (2010), as La mère
- *Tetro* (2009), as Alone
- *Red Eagle* (2009), series, as Olivia, duquesa de Fournier
- *Que parezca un accidente* (2008), as Pilar
- *Garden of Eden* (2008), as Madame Aurol
- *The Black Virgin* (2008), Actor
- *Círculo rojo* (2007), series, as Victoria Villalobos
- *El menor de los males* (2007), as Julia
- *Volver* (2006), as Irene — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/volver.md)
- *Free Zone* (2005), as Mrs. Breitberg
- *To the Other Side* (2005), as Esperanza
- *Queens* (2005), as Magda
- *Searching for Love* (2004), as Ana
- *New York: La capital del Mundo* (2004), as Presentadora
- *La promesa* (2004), as Celia
- *25 Degrees in Winter* (2004), as Abuelita
- *Arroz y tartana* (2003), as Doña Manuela de Fora
- *The Pact of Silence* (2003), as Mère Emmanuelle
- *800 Bullets* (2002), as Laura
- *Valentin* (2002), as Abuela
- *Le ventre de Juliette* (2002), as Julia
- *Holiday Assassins* (2002), as Illuminata
- *Clara y Elena* (2001), as Elena
- *The Notice of the Day* (2001), as Isabel
- *El apagón* (2001), Actor
- *The Hold-Up* (2001), as Maite
- *Common Wealth* (2000), as Julia
- *The Harem of Madame Osmane* (2000), as Madama Osmane
- *To the End of the Road* (2000), Actor
- *Lisboa* (1999), as Berta
- *Superlove* (1999), as Teresa
- *El Cometa* (1999), Actor
- *Enthusiasm* (1998), as Maria
- *Alice and Martin* (1998), as Jeanine
- *A las once en casa* (1998), series, as Olga
- *Women* (1997), as Linda
- *Alliance cherche doigt* (1997), as Geneviève Lechat
- *Tortilla y Cinema* (1997), as Carmen Maura, the movie star
- *Sombras y luces: Cien años de cine español* (1996), Actor
- *Amores que matan* (1996), Actor
- *Happiness Is in the Field* (1995), as Dolores Thivart
- *The Lame Pigeon* (1995), as Tía Victoria
- *Parella de tres* (1995), as Ana
- *King of the River* (1995), as Carmen
- *How to Be Miserable and Enjoy It* (1994), as Carmen
- *Louis, the Child King* (1993), as Anne d'Autriche
- *Shadows in a Conflict* (1993), as Ana
- *La reina anónima* (1992), as Ana Luz
- *Between Heaven and Earth* (1992), as Maria Garcia
- *Chatarra* (1991), as Zabú
- *How to Be a Woman and Not Die in the Attempt* (1991), as Carmen
- *Ay, Carmela!* (1990), as Carmela
- *La mujer de tu vida* (1990), series, as Marisa Novoa
- *La mujer feliz* (1990), Actor
- *Mieux vaut courir* (1989), as Anna
- *Baton Rouge* (1988), as Isabel
- *Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown* (1988), as Pepa — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/women-on-the-verge-of-a-nervous-breakdown.md)
- *Law of Desire* (1987), as Tina Quintero
- *Love Ravings* (1986), as Carmen (segment "Delirio 3") (uncredited)
- *Matador* (1986), as Julia
- *Tata Mía* (1986), as Elvira
- *Move Over, Mrs. Markham* (1985), as Carmen
- *Beyond the Walls* (1985), as Sor Ana
- *El crimen de la calle Fuencarral* (1985), as Higinia Balaguer
- *La Huella del Crimen* (1985), series, as Higinia Balaguer
- *What Have I Done to Deserve This?* (1984), as Gloria
- *Coarse Salt* (1984), as Presentadora T.V.
- *The Angry Cid* (1983), as Jimena
- *Dark Habits* (1983), as Sor Perdida
- *Femenino singular* (1982), as Luisa Matas
- *Cervantes* (1981), series, as Costanza Cervantes
- *Gary Cooper, Who Art in Heaven* (1980), as Begoña
- *El hombre de moda* (1980), as Carmen
- *Pepi, Luci, Bom* (1980), as Pepi
- *That House in the Outskirts* (1980), as Social Assistant
- *The Black Hand* (1980), as Rosa
- *Folle... Folle... ¡Fólleme Tín!* (1978), Actor
- *What's a Girl Like You Doing in a Place Like This?* (1978), as Rosa
- *Blindfolded Eyes* (1978), as La enfermera
- *Strawberry, Lemon and Mint* (1978), Actor
- *Eugenia Grandet* (1977), as Eugenia Grandet
- *Paper Tigers* (1977), Actor
- *Curro Jiménez* (1976), series, as Remedios
- *La petición* (1976), as Chica que se insinua a Julián
- *Pomporrutas imperiales* (1976), Actor
- *El libro de buen amor II* (1976), as Virtuosa
- *Miracles of Our Lady* (1976), as La abadesa encinta
- *La mujer es cosa de hombres* (1976), as Manolita
- *Leonor* (1975), Actor
- *Fierce Love, or When Children Play at Love* (1975), as María José
- *A Diary of a Murderess* (1975), as The Nun
- *Usted tiene ojos de mujer fatal* (1975), as Leonor
- *Vida íntima de un seductor cínico* (1975), as Mujer de Jorge
- *La Celestina* (1974), as Melibea
- *El libro del buen amor* (1974), as Dª Garoza
- *A Chaste Spanish Man* (1973), as Profesora de Música
- *The Killer Is One of Thirteen* (1973), as Laura
- *Man in Hiding* (1971), as Belén
- *El espíritu* (1969), Actor
- *La Cuidadora*, as Carmen
- *Une de perdue, une de perdue*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Carmen Maura](https://film.one/media/person/99258/gallery-5e648acfc275.jpg) Carmen Maura — PP Comunidad de Madrid, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/73/%28Carmen_Maura%29_Entrega_de_la_Medalla_internacional_de_las_Artes_de_la_Comunidad_de_Madrid_a_Carmen_Maura_%2833552184358%29_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Carmen Maura a los 3 años (2022)](https://film.one/media/person/99258/gallery-7f5f7b30c61b.jpg) Carmen Maura a los 3 años (2022) — Amparost, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/01/Carmen_Maura.jpg/1280px-Carmen_Maura.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Carmen Maura, la exitosísima y talentosa actriz española de cine y tetro, compartió una charla con el público de Rosario. (1997)](https://film.one/media/person/99258/gallery-68689b2c85f9.jpg) Carmen Maura, la exitosísima y talentosa actriz española de cine y tetro, compartió una charla con el público de Rosario. (1997) — CCPE Rosario, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Carmen_Maura_001.jpg/1280px-Carmen_Maura_001.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Carmen Maura, la exitosísima y talentosa actriz española de cine y tetro, compartió una charla con el público de Rosario. (1997)](https://film.one/media/person/99258/gallery-dd8b933af011.jpg) Carmen Maura, la exitosísima y talentosa actriz española de cine y tetro, compartió una charla con el público de Rosario. (1997) — CCPE Rosario, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ed/Carmen_Maura_002.jpg/1280px-Carmen_Maura_002.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Carmen Maura](https://film.one/media/person/99258/gallery-af4da3c4b670.jpg) Carmen Maura — Image via TMDB
- ![Carmen Maura](https://film.one/media/person/99258/gallery-d3923d3bd407.jpg) Carmen Maura — Image via TMDB
- ![Carmen Maura](https://film.one/media/person/99258/gallery-6b2631512188.jpg) Carmen Maura — Image via TMDB
- ![Carmen Maura, la exitosísima y talentosa actriz española de cine y tetro, compartió una charla con el público de Rosario. (1997)](https://film.one/media/person/99258/gallery-131ebf886981.jpg) Carmen Maura, la exitosísima y talentosa actriz española de cine y tetro, compartió una charla con el público de Rosario. (1997) — CCPE Rosario, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c0/Carmen_Maura_003.jpg/1280px-Carmen_Maura_003.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Carmen Maura](https://film.one/media/person/99258/gallery-fd00a12a1ccd.jpg) Carmen Maura — Image via TMDB
- ![Carmen Maura](https://film.one/media/person/99258/gallery-bbebf5d18bfe.jpg) Carmen Maura — Image via TMDB
- ![Carmen Maura](https://film.one/media/person/99258/gallery-daf1f2a085d9.jpg) Carmen Maura — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Cannes Film Festival — 1 won

- 2006: Best Actress (won), for *Volver*

### Other awards — 13 won, 1 nominated

- Platino Honorary Award 2022: Platino Honorary Award (won)
- European Film Academy Lifetime Achievement Award 2018: European Film Academy Lifetime Achievement Award (won)
- Grand Cross of the Civil Order of Alfonso X the Wise 2015: Grand Cross of the Civil Order of Alfonso X the Wise (won)
- Donostia Award 2013: Donostia Award (won)
- César Award for Best Supporting Actress 2012: César Award for Best Supporting Actress (won), for *The Women on the 6th Floor*
- Medalla de Oro 2009: Medalla de Oro (won)
- Goya Award for Best Supporting Actress 2007: Goya Award for Best Supporting Actress (won), for *Volver*
- Jameson People's Choice Award for Best Actress 2001: Jameson People's Choice Award for Best Actress (nominated), for *La comunidad*
- Goya Award for Best Actress 2000: Goya Award for Best Actress (won), for *La comunidad*
- Silver Shell for Best Actress 2000: Silver Shell for Best Actress (won), for *La comunidad*
- European Film Award for Best Actress 1990: European Film Award for Best Actress (won), for *¡Ay, Carmela!*
- Goya Award for Best Actress 1990: Goya Award for Best Actress (won), for *¡Ay, Carmela!*
- European Film Award for Best Actress 1988: European Film Award for Best Actress (won), for *Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown*
- Goya Award for Best Actress 1988: Goya Award for Best Actress (won), for *Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/carmen-maura