Colombian actress Catalina Sandino Moreno was born on April 19, 1981 in Bogota. She studied at Saint George's School in Bogota and graduated in 2000. Afterwards, she pursued a degree in advertising atPontificia Universidad Javeriana.
In 2004, Moreno relocated to New York City and joined the Rub?n Di Pietro acting school. She was recognized for her work there, eventually getting referred to a casting audition for the 2004 film Maria Full of Grace. She beat over 900 girls for the lead role, even earning an Academy Award nomination in the process.
Since then, she has landed several film roles. In 2006 she played Angie on Journey to the End of the Night. She also appeared on Fast Food Nation and Paris, je t'aime. The next year, she was cast in The Hottest State, as well as on Heart of the Earth. She also portrayed Hildebranda Sanchez in the film adaptation of Gabriel Garcia Marquez's novel, Love in the Time of Cholera.
In 2008, she landed the part of Aleida March de Guevara on Che Part One: The Argentine and Che Part Two: Guerrilla. She also became known for her role on the third installment of the Twilight Saga: Eclipse.
Took acting classes at a Bogot? (Colombia) theater before getting "discovered" by an anonymous supporter who referred her name to the casting agent for Maria Full of Grace (2004).
Studied advertising at a college in Colombia before moving to New York City around 2003.
Lives with David Elwell (2002-present).
Reads Spanish books because she misses hearing the language back home in Colombia.
She is the first Colombian to be nominated for an Academy Award
Mother is a pathologist.
Went to a British school in Bogota, Colombia.
Was in NY when she heard on TV that she was nominated for Best Actress in the 2005 Oscar for her role in Maria Full of Grace (2004).
Went to Saint George's School in Bogot?, Colombia
Was one of People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" in 2005
Invited to join AMPAS in 2005.
Became interested in theater and stage at a very young age.
Became the first actress ever to be nominated to Best Actress at the Oscars for a role that is spoken entirely in Spanish.
Won Best Actress at the 2004 Cartagena Film Festival in her home country Colombia.
In the future Catalina would love to work with Pedro Almod?var and Alejandro Amen?bar.
Is a huge fan of Ang Lee and would love to work with him in the future.
Her favorite actors are Javier Bardem, Gael Garc?a Bernal , Cate Blanchett and Frances McDormand.
Very good friends with Ethan Hawke.
One of very few actors to receive an Academy Award nomination for their debut performance.
2005: Imagen Foundation Awards Best Actress - Film for: Maria Full of Grace (2004)
2005: Independent Spirit Award - Best Female Lead for: Maria Full of Grace (2004)
2005: Online Film Critics Society Awards - OFCS Award Best Breakthrough Performance for: Maria Full of Grace (2004)
2005: Premio ACE Cinema - Best Actress for: Maria Full of Grace (2004)
2005: ShoWest Convention, USA - Special Award International Star of the Year
2004: Seattle International Film Festival - Golden Space Needle Award Best Actress for: Maria Full of Grace (2004)
2004: Berlin International Film Festival Silver Berlin Bear Best Actress - for: Maria Full of Grace (2004). Tied with Charlize Theron for Monster (2003)
2004: Cartagena Film Festival - Colombian Cinema Award Mejor Actriz (Best Actress) for: Maria Full of Grace (2004)
2004: Chicago Film Critics Association Awards - Most Promising Performerfor: Maria Full of Grace (2004)
2004: Gotham Awards - Breakthrough Award for: Maria Full of Grace (2004)
2004: Los Angeles Film Critics Association - New Generation Award for: Maria Full of Grace (2004).
Shared with: Joshua Marston (director)
2010: Eclipse - Maria
2008: Che: Part One - Aleida March
2008: Che: Part Two - Aleida March
2007: Love in the Time of Cholera - Hildebranda
2007: The Heart of the Earth - Blanca Bosco
2006: The Hottest State - Sarah
2006: Fast Food Nation - Sylvia
2006: Paris, I Love You - Ana
2006: Journey to the End of the Night - Angie
2004: Maria Full of Grace - Mar?a ?lvarez