María Belén Rueda García-Porrero, known professionally as Belén Rueda, was born on March 16, 1965, in Madrid, Spain. She spent a significant part of her childhood in Alicante. Before pursuing acting, she worked as a model and television presenter.
Rueda began her career in television, hosting various programs during the 1990s. Notable television appearances include her role as Clara Nadal in the popular Spanish series “Médico de Familia” (1994-1998) and as Lucía Gómez in “Los Serrano” (2003-2007), which significantly increased her national recognition.
Rueda transitioned to film in the early 2000s, achieving critical acclaim for her roles in suspense and horror films. Her breakout role was in Alejandro Amenábar’s “The Sea Inside” (2004), where she played Julia, a lawyer advocating for euthanasia. This role earned her a Goya Award for Best New Actress.
She continued to gain recognition for her performance in “The Orphanage” (2007), directed by J.A. Bayona, winning a Goya Award nomination for Best Actress. Her subsequent roles further solidified her status as a leading actress in Spanish cinema, often associated with intense and dramatic performances.