10 Best Actresses from Other Countries

Hollywood tends to focus on American actresses, but some amazing talent comes from other countries. Here is a list, in alphabetical order, of ten of my favorite stars, that are not from the US. Some of these ladies have won Oscars, but all are very gifted, even if not as recognized for their talent.

Penelope Cruz - This actress from Madrid is well known in America, about ten years ago playing opposite popular male leads like Matt Damon, ("Blow"), Johnny Depp ("All the Pretty Horses"), and Tom Cruise, ("Vanilla Sky.") Since then she has worked both in American and Spanish movies, her most recent part is in "Nine," directed by Rob Marshall. I recommend catching her Spanish movies, they seem to be her best work.

Minnie Driver - A British actress that I first saw in "Good Will Hunting" with Matt Damon. Since then she has done many movies, like "Return to Me," "Ella Enchanted,", and "Ripple Effect," as well as some TV, such as episodes of "The Riches." Her next flicks, to be released in 2010, are "Burke and Hare" and "Barney's Vision."

Salma Hayek - Another famous Latina actress, she wowed me in Frida, although she's been in many other movies as well. American films she have done include "Dogma," "Fools Rush In," and "Across the Universe." She's been a regular on the American TV series "Ugly Betty" and "30 Rock." Her latest one comes out in 2011, a film called "The Bones Family."

Nicole Kidman - Although she had done well for several years, Nicole Kidman seemed to shine the brightest after her break with Tom Cruise. After I saw her in The Others, I was determined to follow everything she did. According the the International movie base she is working on several projects currently, but the most recent movie that's been completed is "The Danish Girl."

Sophie Okonedo - I first saw her with Don Cheadle in Hotel Rwanda. She later was in another favorite movie of mine "Martian Child." She's recently been doing more TV episodes, (two shows, "Criminal Justice" and "Father and Son"), but has a few movies coming out, "Mrs Mandela" is completed and her next movie is "Secrets of Love."

Julia Ormond - This French actress first caught my attention on the remake of "Sabrina" with Harrison Ford and has gone on to do quite a few American films, more recently playing the daughter in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." She continues to do international films as well like "Smilla's Sense of Snow." She has a movie coming out in 2010 called "Albatross."

Charlize Theron - From South Africa, this actress has come a long way since her unnamed role in "Children of the Corn III." Some much more notable movies she's done are "Sweet November," "Cider House Rules," and "The Italian Job." She is currently working on several films, one of which will be released in 2011, "Fury Road."

Marion Cotillard - This French actress usually just takes roles in french films, but in 2006, she starred with Russel Crow in "A Good Year." She also has a part in "Nine." She has several projects coming up as well, including a movie to be released in 2010 called "Second Coming."

Rachel Weiz - This actress caught my attention when she starred in "The Constant Gardner" with Ralph Fiennes. She had done some other good flicks prior to that including "Definitely, Maybe," "Runaway Jury," and "About a Boy." She's currently working on "The Whisleblower" and "Unbound Captives," both set to be out in 2010.

Ziyi Zhang - Last but far from least is this Chinese actress. I first saw her in "Memoirs of Geisha," but she was also in the American film "Rush Hour 2." Most of her work is is Chinese and a good number of these films have international titles and subtitles on the DVDs. She is also currently working on three films, one of which is to be released in 2011, "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan."

(Information sourced from and available at the International Movie Database.)