Birthplace: Toluca, Estado de Mexico, Mexico

theOscarSite Bio: A popular actress in Spanish-language television, Adriana Barraza received rave reviews and a Golden Globe nomination for her work as the illegal immigrant forced to look after two American-born children when all are abandoned in the desert in the prestigious and thought-provoking film, BABEL (2006).

Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, Barraza had previously worked with her director when she portrayed Octavio's mother in the Iñárritu-helmed film, AMORES PERROS (LIFE'S A BITCH) (2000). In addition to her work in front of the camera, Barraza was also a distinguished acting coach, director and drama teacher, working on a number of different films and television series, including the long-running "Mujer, casos de la vida real," (as a director and actress), and as director of the soap operas "Locura de Amor," "El Manantial," and "Complices al Rescate." In addition to acting, Barraza found time to work as the coach of Neutral Accent in "Prisionera" and in the Adam Sandler flick, SPANGLISH (2005). Her other feature credits as an actress included in the films LA PALOMA DE MARSELLA (1999), LA PRIMERA NOCHE (THE FIRST NIGHT) (1998) and its sequel, LA SEGUNDA NOCHE (1999). She also served as Vice President in Neutral Accent and Acting Development for the Telemundo Network.

Despite her success in the Spanish-speaking entertainment world, Barraza was hardly a known figure in Hollywood. All that changed when she was chosen by BABEL director Iñárritu to play the part of the lost nanny, Amelia - an illegal immigrant who crosses the border for her son's wedding - only to be abandoned in the scorching Sonoran desert with two American children in her care. Iñárritu initially auditioned hundreds of bilingual actresses, looking for that elusive combination of determination and vulnerability that Amelia embodied. It was his wife, Maria Eladia, who suggested Adriana Barraza, the actress who had already made an appearance in one of his films.

Her subsequent film credits include ...Y SOLO HUMO (2007), and HENRY POOLE IS HERE and AZUNCENA, 375 DIAS (both scheduled for release in 2008). Barraza was invited to join A.M.P.A.S. in 2007.

· Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role 2006: BABEL