María del Pilar López de Ayala Arroyo, a renowned Spanish actress, was born on September 18, 1978, in Madrid. She began her career in television series, specifically in "Menudo es mi padre" in 1996. Subsequently, she appeared in "Al salir de clase" in 1997, and then transitioned to film with "Fill Me with Life" in 2000. Her portrayal of Rocío, an upper-middle-class Cádiz woman, in "Besos para todos" earned her a Goya nomination for Best New Actress. However, it was her leading role in "Mad Love" (2001) directed by Vicente Aranda that solidified her status as a Spanish cinema star, earning her a Goya Award for Best Female Performance and a Concha de Plata for Best Female Performance at the San Sebastián Film Festival.
This newfound fame led her to be chosen by the renowned cava brand Freixenet to star in its iconic Christmas commercial. In 2005, she released "Obaba" directed by Montxo Armendáriz, a film that garnered her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the Goya Awards. Furthermore, "Obaba" was nominated by Spain for the 2005 Oscars, although it ultimately did not receive a nomination for Best Foreign Film.
Pilar's extensive filmography also includes "The Bridge of San Luis Rey" (2004),"Captain Alatriste: The Spanish Musketeer" (2006),"Walking Vengeance" (2008),and "Intruders" (2011) alongside Clive Owen. Her most recent film to date is "Agadah" (2017).
In addition to her illustrious career in cinema, Pilar pursued her passion for art by studying Art History in New York.
