Gabriela Spanic

This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Spanic and the second or maternal family name is Utrera.
Gabriela Spanic
Born Gabriela Elena Spanic Utrera
December 10, 1973
Ortiz, Guarico State, Venezuela
Residence Mexico DF
Nationality Venezuelan-Croatian
Occupation Actress, model
Years active 1991-present
Spouse(s) Miguel de Léon (1995-2002)
Children 1

Gabriela Španić (born Gabriela Elena Španić Utrera, Ortiz, Guarico State, 10 December 1973), or Gaby Spanic, is a highly regarded Venezuelan actress of Croatian descent best known for her roles in Latin soap operas and her many controversies in the media. Her twin sister is the model/actress Daniela Spanic. She has one younger sister. Patricia. She has one brother, Antonio.

Among her most famous novelas are "La Usurpadora", "Por Tu Amor", "La Intrusa", "Tierra de Pasiones", and "Soy Tu Dueña". Currently, she is starring in TV Azteca's "Emperatriz" as the title character, which is a remake of the Venezuelan version — a character which she wanted to portray during her teenage years.

Acting career

1990–1997: Started as an actress and model

Spanic's father is Croatian, having moved to Venezuela with his parents in 1947. Her mother is Venezuelan. Spanic's career started in the Miss Venezuela pageant in 1992 as Miss Guarico. She began her university studies in psychology, but always had a latent desire for acting.

Her career received a major boost in the mid 90s when she started having leading roles in Venezuelan soaps.she was the protagonist of "Trama", and began to be considered in Venezuela in 1997.

1998–2002: La Usurpadora and Hiatus

Gaby was contracted in 1998 to star in the novela "La Usurpadora." Her portrayal of the twins Paola & Paulina came to worldwide success when the novela was transmitted to more than 160 countries around the world and became one of most popular telenovelas in the Spanish-speaking world. "La Usurpadora" was the first novela to win more than 20 points in the grid of the TV American audience.

2005: Tierra de Passiones

She won the Orquidea Award in 2005 for her trajectory as an actress, as well as the prestigious FAMAS Award for Best Actress for her role in Tierra de Pasiones.

Legal cases and controversy

In 2002 Spanic made headlines due to her divorce from Miguel de Leon, caused by her affair with "La Venganza" costar José Ángel Llamas. Despite the great admiration of the public, Gaby has been undergoing some controversy. Her heavy drinking, bad temper and outrageous demands on set, caused the estrangement with her twin sister.

2013–present: Mujeres Arena

During her interview in the program Agora É Tarde, Gaby confirmed that interprets Ruth and Rachel in remake Mexican Mulheres de Areia. Recording starts in January Gabriela Spanic, 'the usurper' starts recording 'Women of Sand' in early 2014.

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1998 Más allá de la usurpadora Paulina Bracho Television film
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1991 Mundo de fieras Television debut
1992 La loba herida Uncredited
1992 Divina obsesión Uncredited
1993 Rosangélica Carla Supporting role
1994 María Celeste Carla Supporting role
1994 Como tú, ninguna Gilda Barreto Supporting role
1995 Morena Clara Linda Prado Main antagonist
1996 Quirpa de tres mujeres Emiliana Echeverría Salazar Co-protagonist
1997 Todo por tu amor Petra Josefina Marcano alias Amaranta Rey Main antagonist
1998 La usurpadora Paulina Martínez / Paola Bracho / Paulina Bracho Main protagonist / antagonist
1999 Por tu amor Aurora de Montalvo / María del Cielo Montalvo de Durán Main protagonist
2001 La intrusa Virginia Martínez Roldán de Junquera Brito Main protagonist
2002-03 La venganza Valentina Díaz / Helena Fontana Main protagonist
2004 Prisionera Guadalupe Santos Main protagonist
2005-07 Decisiones Daniela / Mariela Episode: "Un amor verdadero"
Episode: "A la tercera va la vencida"
2006 Tierra de Pasiones Valeria San Román Main protagonist
2010 Soy tu dueña Ivana Dorantes Rangel Main antagonist
2011 Emperatriz Emperatriz Jurado Main protagonist
2012 La otra cara del alma Alma Hernández Main protagonist / antagonist
2014 Siempre tuya Acapulco Fiscal Fernanda Montenegro Special participation

References