Javier Bardem was honored on Tuesday at the TCL Chinese Theatre Forecourt with a hand and footprint ceremony following decades-long career in Hollywood. While the Spanish star was celebrated by his colleagues, Michael Mann and Denis Villeneuve, one person was notably absent from the special day: his wife, Penélope Cruz.
The couple have been married since 2010, after falling in love on the set of Vicky Cristina Barcelona in 2007. The Spanish actress was not present at the event honoring her husband, and has yet to post about the moment on social media.
Instead, Penélope shared a post about her upcoming film, The Invite, in which she stars with Olivia Wilde and Seth Rogen. Meanwhile, Javier spoke at the ceremony about the “humbling experience” of becoming a part of history at the TCL Chinese Theatre.
“It feels very special to be given a space like this to immortalize your name,” he said in his speech. “When I think about the names that have stood on this very spot, it’s hard for me to believe that it’s real.”
“It’s safe to assume that I certainly never imagined standing here at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre preparing to put my hands and feet in cement,” the Oscar winner added. “It’s an honor to be part of this remarkable Hollywood tradition to be included amongst so many extraordinary artists who have left a lasting impact on our cinema.”
Michael paid tribute to his friend, sharing: “Whether it’s a role of immense scale or deep intimacy, it’s your truth that makes the characters you occupy come alive.”
© Getty Images“I am honored to celebrate the unique path you have blazed as an artist, the incomparable body of work and everything you’re still to achieve,” he said. Dune director Denis chimed in: “Javier can confidently change his person now to become somebody else, driven by a new logic, driven by new feelings and new perspective on reality.”
See Javier and Penélope together below…
“He seems to do that without effort, with grace and tremendous generosity. His metamorphoses are spectacular.”
Despite Penélope’s absence from Javier’s special day, the proud husband reiterated to Variety just how in love they still were 16 years after their wedding day. “She’s a woman I’m so blessed by having had the chance to be at the same time, in the same place, in life,” he said.
© JB Lacroix“It’s important that you respect and support your partner, but also that you admire that person for what she is, for what she does.”
© Getty“Penélope is an amazing, beautiful, good human being – the way she relates to her family, to her friends, to our kids, to me, to herself. It’s been a lot of years, and I haven’t seen a hint of malice in her,” he continued. The couple share kids Leo, 15, and Luna, 12.
“On top of that, she’s amazingly [expletive] beautiful!” Javier declared. “When I see her being photographed on some magazines, I go, ‘Is that my wife? Jesus, is it? It must be!'”
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