Marisa Paredes' death was reported earlier today. The beloved Spanish actress, who worked with many of the great Spanish and Mexican directors across eras, died in Madrid at the age of 78. Her passing has rattled the entertainment industry, prompting many of her co-stars and collaborators to share some of their fondest memories with her. It has also prompted film critics to discuss her career, which began when she was 14 years old and continued to this year.
Early on Tuesday, Paredes went to the Fundación Jiménez Díaz hospital after feeling sick. She was accompanied by her partner, the filmmaker Chema Prado, who confirmed her death to the Spanish media.
"Spanish cinema is left without one of its most iconic actresses, Marisa Paredes," read a statement from the Spanish Film Academy. "Strong, ambivalent, heartbroken, passionate, enigmatic, and ultimately very human women made up the acting work of the woman from Madrid."
Upon learning the news, several of her co-stars shared moving tributes on social media, showing how loved Paredes was throughout her decades of work on film sets and theater stages.
"Thinking of you, Marisa of my loves," wrote the Argentinean actress Cecilia Roth, who shared the screen with Paredes in the film "All About My Mother."
"Infinite pain. Goodbye and until forever."
Pedro Almodóvar, one of Paredes' longest collaborators, shared that the news of her death left him "as if I woke up from a bad dream," he said to the broadcaster RTVE. "I am struggling to come to terms with Marisa's death."
"Devastated by the death of Marisa Paredes, a great lady of interpretation," wrote Antonio Banderas in an Instagram post. "Dear friend, you've left us too soon."
Penelope Cruz also shared a tribute, adding various photographs of Marisa taken in various film sets. "My dear Marisa... You left us too soon. I love you. Have a good trip."
Paredes's incredible body of work
Paredes began acting at a young age, coming from poverty and building herself up on the stage and film sets. Her first role was at the age of 14, in the film "091, policía al habla." She never stopped working, appearing in over 75 films and being featured in TV series as recently as this year.
Throughout her career, Paredes worked with various notorious filmmakers, including Arturo Ripstein, Roberto Benigni, Guillermo del Toro, Jaime Rosales, Agusti Villaronga, and, most notably, Pedro Almodóvar. Paredes was one of his favorite actresses, being featured in some of his most popular films, including "High Heels," "The Flower of My Secret," "All About My Mother" and "The Skin I Live In."