Blanca Portillo

Blanca Portillo Martínez de Velasco (born 15 June 1963) is a Spanish film, television, and stage actress. She has also worked as theatre director and producer. She made her feature film debut in Entre rojas. She became popular for her portrayal of Carlota in sitcom television series Siete vidas. Portillo is the recipient of numerous accolades, including a Goya Award for Best Actress.

Life and career Blanca Portillo Martínez de Velasco was born in Madrid on 15 June 1963.

Portillo started as an actress in several small theater productions. She earned a degree in drama from the RESAD.

One of her most important performances afterwards was her role of Carol in Oleanna by David Mamet, directed by Joaquín Kremel in 1994.

She made her feature film debut in Entre rojas (1995). In 1996, Luis San Narciso cast her for the hit Telecinco series 7 vidas. The series lasted for ten years and ran for 204 episodes. Portillo played the role of Carlota, an insecure but brassy hairdresser who married Gonzalo, the owner of a bar which functioned as the central set of the show.

She played a mother in The Color of the Clouds (1997). Her performance in the film earned her a nomination to the Goya Award for Best New Actress. she played a male role, specifically that of a member of the Spanish Inquisition. She shaved her head for the role. The following year, Pedro Almodóvar cast her in his 2006 film Volver. She played Agustina, a friend of the central family who is terminally ill and looking for her missing mother.

She then appeared in Goya's Ghosts by Miloš Forman, playing 18th-century consort Maria Luisa of Parma, and landed her first starring role in a movie in Gracia Querejeta's film Seven Billiard Tables. Here she played the lover of the owner of a billiard club and the daughter of Amparo Baró, her former co-star from 7 Vidas. In 2009, she featured again in a film by Pedro Almodóvar, Broken Embraces playing the role of Judit.

Her work in recent years has seen a return to Spanish television, including a role in Hospital Central, and directing roles in the theater. She had a small role in the 2011 film As Luck Would Have It, starring alongside Salma Hayek.

She starred in the 2016 film Boy Missing.

Filmography Film

Year Title Role Notes Entre rojas Manuela Feature film debut Eso Marta El perro del hortelano (The Dog in the Manger) Dorotea El color de las nubes (The Color of the Clouds) Elsa y Fred (Elsa & Fred) Cuca Volver Agustina Alatriste Fray Emilio Bocanegra Goya's Ghosts Queen Maria Luisa Siete mesas de billar francés (Seven Billiard Tables) Charo El patio de mi cárcel (My Prison Yard) Adela Los abrazos rotos (Broken Embraces) Judit García La chispa de la vida (As Luck Would Have It) Mercedes Secuestro (Boy Missing) Patricia de Lucas Invisibles (The Invisible) Mara Retrato de mujer blanca con pelo canoso y arrugas (Portrait of White Woman with Grey Hair and Wrinkles) Julia Maixabel Teresa Teresa Escape Doctor Giráldez Día de caza (Ladies' Hunting Party) Blanca

Television 7 vidas (1999–2004) Acusados (2009–2010) Promesas de arena (2019) Días mejores (2022) La ley del mar (2024)

Theatre credits Actress Portillo and during a staging of Mrs. Dalloway at the Teatro Español in 2019.

Director La avería (2011) Siglo XX... que estás en los cielos (2006) Desorientados (2004) Shakespeare a pedazos (1999) Hay amores que hablan (1997)

Accolades Year Award Category Work Result Best Stage Performance in a Secondary Role Eslavos Best New Actress The Colour of the Clouds Best Stage Actress in a Secondary Role Como en las mejores familias Best Stage Actress in a Leading Role La hija del aire Best Actress Volver Best Supporting Actress Best Stage Actress in a Leading Role Barroco Best Film Actress in a Secondary Role Broken Embraces Best Television Actress in a Leading Role Acusados Best Stage Actress in a Leading Role Life Is a Dream Best Television Actress in a Leading Role Stolen Children Best Actress Seven Billiard Tables Best Stage Actress in a Leading Role El cartógrafo Best Actress in a Film Maixabel Best Actress Best Actress Best Film Actress in a Leading Role Best Actress in a Film Best Actress in a Film Teresa Best Actress Best Stage Actress in a Leading Role La madre de Frankenstein 33rd Actors and Actresses Union Awards Best Stage Actress in a Leading Role 1936 Candidatura al premio de Mejor Actriz Revelación (1997). Unión de Actores Candidata al Premio a la Mejor Actriz de Televisión (2002). Fotogramas de Plata Candidata al premio de Mejor Actriz de Teatro (2003).