In Memoriam: Spanish Actress "Marisa Paredes" Dies At 78

The beloved Spanish actress and former president of the Academy of Cinema, Marisa Paredes has passed away at the age of 78. Her death was reportedly attributed to heart failure. In a heartfelt statement on Tuesday, December 17, the Film Academy shared, "Spanish cinema is left without one of its most iconic actresses."

Marisa Paredes, who leaves behind a long career in which the public has been able to see her on more than 75 occasions on the big screen and stage. Born in 1946, she began her acting journey in the 1960s, appearing in television programmes like Estudio 1. Her breakthrough finally came in the 1980s with Fernando Trueba’s Ópera Prima, where her performance captivated Spanish audiences.

Her career soared as she became part of Pedro Almodóvar's cinematic world, debuting as Sister Estiércol in Entre Tinieblas (1983). Her role in Tacones Lejanos (1991), where she portrayed Becky del Páramo, remains one of her most iconic performances, her collaboration with Almodóvar extended to films like La Flor De Mi Secreto (1995) and Todo Sobre Mi Madre (1999), earning her acclaim as one of Spain’s most versatile actresses.

Her international career was equally remarkable. She starred in Roberto Benigni’s Life is Beautiful (1997), Guillermo del Toro’s The Devil’s Backbone (2001), and Manoel de Oliveira’s The Magic Mirror (2005). In 2018, Marisa was honoured with the Goya Award for her extensive career. At the ceremony, her daughter, actress María Isasi, presented the award.

Paredes kept her personal life private but was known for her relationships with filmmaker Antonio Isasi-Isasmendi and, later, José María Prado, with whom she spent over 40 years. She is survived by her daughter María and her granddaughter Thelma.