2000 - Penélope Cruz on top

This Spaniard’s meteoric rise to fame began in 1992 with her roles in Jamon Jamon and the Oscar-winning Belle Epoque. Her work with iconic Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodovar, beginning in 1997, earned her the attention of Hollywood. She came to America in 2000 for the film Woman on Top, and since then has had an active career on both sides of the Atlantic. (© AP Images)