Javier
Bardem Biography: Possessing a chameleon-like ability to disappear into his characters, which frequently
renders him unrecognizable save for his piercing eyes, it's no wonder that Javier Bardem chose to pursue a career as an
actor given his family's long history in show business. Always hesitant to play the same type of character twice, the
very foundation of Bardem's career is his remarkable ability to so immerse himself in character that audiences never even
see the actor. Each role is a transformation that occurs both mentally and physically, and Bardem's hesitance to embrace
celebrity culture and make a conscious effort to break into the American market has only served to make him more alluring
to stateside filmmakers. Born the youngest member of a family of actors in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain,
in 1969, Bardem's first role came at the age of six with the film El Picaro (aka The Scoundrel). Bardem was a shy boy
who immediately took to acting, and numerous television roles as well as a stint touring with an independent theater company
found the young rugby enthusiast increasingly dedicated to the stage. An interest in painting led Bardem to study at Madrid's
Escuela de Artes y Officios, but following a series of odd jobs and the realization that he would never develop the skills
to become a great artist, he eventually drifted back into acting.
Moving into the 1990s, Bardem's collaborations
with such filmmakers as Pedro Almodóvar (High Heels [1991 (Jamón Jamón [1992] and Huevos de Oro [1994, Bardem took home the award
for his roles in Dias Contados (1994) and Boca a Boca (1995), and it was becoming increasingly
clear that a formidable international talent was emerging. Though some may have regarded Bardem as little more than a beefcake
sex symbol due to his steamy early roles, a turning point came with the release of 2000's Before Night Falls. A thoughtful look at the life of Cuban poet and novelist
Reinaldo Arenas, Bardem took over the role after Benicio Del Toro abandoned the it, and his physical transformation stunned
audiences worldwide. Arenas was an ultimately tragic figure who eventually committed
suicide while living in poverty in New York City, and Bardem prepared tirelessly for the role by changing his diet, immersing
himself in Arenas' works, and traveling to Cuba to speak with those who
knew the writer personally and to learn the Cuban dialect. In addition to drawing the actor international accolades, the role
also found Bardem making history as the first Spanish actor ever to be nominated for an Academy Award.
Though
the offers came flooding in following the success of Before Night Falls, Bardem remained steadfast in his resistance to the Hollywood
system. Turning down roles in such blockbusters as The World is Not Enough, it became increasingly obvious that Bardem was
indeed sincere in his intentions to remain thoughtful about his career choices. Following his role in actor John Malkovich's directorial debut, The Dancer Upstairs (2002), Bardem's role as an unemployed dockworker in
Fernando León de Aranoa's Mondays in the Sun (also 2002) again found the actor drawing praise. Though the film
ultimately didn't take home the Oscar for Best Foreign Film, it did net Bardem another Best Lead Actor Goya in addition
to being voted Best Film at the awards.
In 2004 Bardem joined forces with director Alejandro Amenabar for the euthenasia
drama The Sea Inside , earning solid reviews for his work as a man fighting to die with dignity. He bolstered his status as
an international leading man with Milos Foreman's Goya's Ghosts in 2006, but the following
year would bring Bardem the most substantial praise of his career to that point with his work in the Coen Brothers No Country
for Old Men. His portrayal of the remorseless, amoral killer earned him nearly unanimous praise and several year end accolades
including the Best Supporting Actor award from the Screen Actors Guild and the Golden Globes, as well as an Academy Award
nomination in the same category.
Not one to have been anxious for a career in Hollywood, even after making a name for himself in an Oscar-worthy
performance, actor Javier Bardem took his time making movies that he enjoyed. In fact, Bardem was downright picky in choosing
his roles. Whether playing an openly gay author forced into exile from Cuba in “Before Night Falls” (2000), an
idealistic policeman hunting an enigmatic
Yesterday, we posed a question: Is No Country for Old Men’s Anton Chigurh, the psychokiller played
by Javier Bardem, hot… Ramona bob and all? The majority of you agreed that yes, twills and all, he was dangerously good
looking, while some of you felt he resembled Brad Garrett.
Well, I am happy to report that the long-esteemed purveyor of all things “hot” and “sexy”,
People Magazine, has vote Javier (or “Hahbby”, as I call him) one of 2007’s Sexiest Men of the Year! Here
is the blurb that accompanies the above soul-stealing photo:
After seeing that recent shot of him in a leg-locking horizontal clutch with Penélope Cruz on a beach in
the Maldives, who could deny the Spaniard is a sex symbol? Well, he could. “It just makes me laugh,” says Bardem,
38, who’s starring in Love in the Time of Cholera and No Country for Old Men. “I see a guy who looks like he’s
been beaten with a baseball bat.” At least Bardem acknowledges that he has a certain seductive intensity. “Once
you start to get older, you have to focus and be passionate about life day after day.”
Awww…. he’s like the Spanish Kevin Spacey who probably likes women!
For the record, the Sexiest Man of the Year Award has been handed to Matt Damon, who we’re sure is
overjoyed. And while theoretically we think Geoff Manthorn on Ace of Cakes should have taken the prize, we’re glad to
see Matt finally get the People Cover recognition he deserves.
You can check out the rest of the Sexiest Men of the Year over at Oh No They Didn’t!
Posted by Michelle Collins at 11/14/07 2:45pm | Permalink | Categories: Entertainment, Pop Culture,
People Magazine, Matt Damon, Kevin Spacey, Javier Bardem, Ace of Cakes
