Handsome Men in Spain – Javier Bardem

Javier Bardem is our handsome man this week, by request of Fiona Flores Watson. The ladies seem to like their more muscular men, and Javier is no exception.

Javier was born on March 1st 1969 in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands. Coming from a family that was already well versed in acting… it was only natural that he follow in their footsteps. His first feature role was in “El Picaro” (The Scoundrel) when he was aged just six years old. Since then, however, he has become the first in his family to bridge the gap and make a massive name for himself in Hollywood.

Javier’s first love as he grew up was painting, and he studied at Madrid’s Escuela de Artes y Oficios.

Despite his rugged good looks, Javier is not shy about making himself look quite repulsive – for example in “No Country For Old Men” and “Skyfall”. His early career saw him in many roles as the “token hunk”, so he was keen not to be typecast and his varied roles now have done him justice. At time of writing, Javier has performed in almost 50 roles… both on television and in movies.

Javier’s  family owned a restaurant in Madrid called “La Bardemcilla” which is managed by his sister, Mónica. However, we are led to believe that is has been under new ownership since the summer of 2013.

Notable Achievements

• Javier was the first Spanish actor to receive an Academy Award nomination. “Antes que anochezca” in 2000
• He was also the first Spanish man to win an Oscar. This was in 2007 as “Best Supporting Actor” for “No Country For Old Men”.
• Javier is one of only eight actors to have won the Academy Award, BAFTA Award, Critics’ Choice Award, Golden Globe Award and SAG Award for the same performance
• In his teens he played for the Spanish rugby team

Love life

Javier had a ten year relationship with Cristina Payés, a translator and teacher. It was she who taught him English. He was famously quoted as saying, “I’m in love with my English teacher. We have many of our lessons in bed”.

Javier Bardem headed to the Bahamas in 2010, where he married Penelope Cruz in a quiet ceremony with just family in attendance; and has two children with her – Leo Encinas and Luna Encinas. He met Penelope on set at the movie, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”.

Javier Bardem – the model

Javier has graced such high profile magazines as GQ, Elle UK, Vanity Fair, Flair and Vogue.

Trivia

• Year of birth: 1969
• Star sign: Pisces
• Height: 5′ 11 1/4″

You can find Javier Bardem online in the following places:

• Twitter
• Facebook – unofficial
• Official website – none at this time

Fiona Flores Watson is the face behind Scribbler in Seville and a friend from Writers And Bloggers In Spain (WABAS)

Elle Draper

Elle, along with Alan, is the owner of Spain Buddy and the busy web design business – Spain Web Design by Gandy-Draper.
Born a “Norverner”, she then spent most of her life “Dann Saff” before moving to Spain in 2006. Elle’s loves are Alan, the internet, dogs, good food, and dry white wine – although not necessarily in that order.