Beautiful and very talented Spanish actress Elena Anaya become one of the most outstanding actresses of her generation. After impressing the critic and the public with appearing in "Lucia y el sexo" (2001), the actress has shown her talent and beauty after interpreting one of Dracula brides in horror adventure "Van Helsing" (2004). Elena Anaya was born on 17 July 1975 in Palencia, Spain. Minor of three brothers, her childhood was marked by the separation of her parents. During her youth she had many hobbies, such as practicing karate at the Okinawa Gymnasium, submarinism, climbing the mountains or to attend the concerts of Mecano, one of Elena's favorite groups. The actress never showed much interest of the studies, reason why after working cooking and cleaning in the pension for students, she decides to leave Cadiz school in 1996 to test the access to the Real Superior School of Dramatic Art of Madrid (RESAD), making a course of interpretation with actor Manuel Moron. When her representative, Katrina Bayonas, looked for a young girl for the film of Alfonso Ungria, "Africa" (1996), Elena went to Madrid for a casting, and to determine her role. Installed in the capital, she shared a floor with two unknown French girls while alternating her studies and work as an actress. She passed the tests of entrance in the RESAD, but was expelled after director Fernando Leon de Aranoa called her to participate in the comedy "Familia" (1996). It was a unique opportunity, although Elena spent many months without stepping into the classrooms. Conscious, as an important thing to be a good actress, she continued her learning at the school of interpretation of actor Juan Carlos Corazza. At the time, she appeared in a few drama movies such as "Lagrimas negras" (1998) "Finisterre" (1998) and "Huellas borradas, Las" (1999). In 2000, director Julio Medem cast her for the role of young seducer Belen in the erotic drama "Lucia y el sexo" (2001). Her explosive mixture of innocence and provocation attracted the attention of the spectators and the film obtained nine nominations of Goya awards, earning her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Later she received the prize in the same category in awards of Spanish Actors Union. In the same year she played opposite Penelope Cruz and Victoria Abril in comedy "Sin noticias de Dios" (2001), film that obtained 11 nominations of Goya awards. In 2002 one of her dreams, came true. She was cast for a small role in Pedro Almodovar "Hable con Ella" (2002). Later Anaya continued to impress with supporting roles as in Miguel Albaladejo "Rencor" (2002), and in romance drama "Habitacion Azul, La" (2002), directed by Walter Doehner. Next year her profile continued to increase thanks to her role in comedy "Dos Tipos duros" (2003), opening her way to the UK-Germany co- production "Dead Fish" (2004), a thriller with Gary Oldman. At that time, the producers of "Van Helsing" had paid attention to the burgeoning actress in "Lucia y el sexo" and they were put in contact with her representative. Elena traveled to London to do a test, and was finally selected by director Stephen Sommers for the role of Aleera, one of the count Dracula brides. Although acting in Hollywood was not a priority in her career, Elena was enchanted to have acted with actors of the stature of Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale. Due to the spectacular special effects, Elena had to act for during several months on a blue screen, and to be continuously hung to be able to fly like a vampire. Between her last projects is "Alatriste" (2006), the cinematographic adaptation of novels of Arturo Perez Reverte, under the direction of Agustin Diaz Yanes and Eduardo Carrillo "Stage Kiss" (2006). One of her maximum aspirations is to continuing working in the cinema, and enjoying the small things of life.

2004: Named as one of European films' Shooting Stars by European Film Promotion. UpdateYou may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.Add resumeWith our Resume service you can add photos and build a complete resume to help you achieve the best possible presentation on the IMDb.Click here to add your resume and/or your photos to IMDb. Browse biographies section by nameA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z