Acting
María José Cantudo
María Purificación Josefa Cantudo Porcel, widely recognized as María José Cantudo, was born on July 10, 1951, in Andújar, Jaén, Spain. With encouragement from hotelier Carlos del Val, she ventured into the artistic world, moving to Madrid to pursue her dreams. Cantudo's career took off in the early 1970s as an advertising model and actress in photo novels, where she quickly garnered attention.
She made her film debut in 1973 with "El espanto surge de la tumba" and "Autopsia," but it was her role in Jorge Grau's "La trastienda" (1976) that solidified her place in Spanish cinema, marking a significant milestone as she became the first female actress to perform a full nude scene, albeit viewed through a mirror.
In 1973, she married singer and actor Manolo Otero, with whom she had a son, Manuel, born in 1974. The couple separated in 1978, and Cantudo's personal life included relationships with actor Pedro Ruiz and artistic entrepreneur Enrique Cornejo.
Beyond her contributions to film and theatre, Cantudo was recognized for her humanitarian efforts when she was appointed an honorary member of UNESCO in 2013. Her diverse career and philanthropic endeavors have left an enduring legacy in the realms of entertainment and charity.
