With their passionate temperament, the Spanish are definitely inclined towards all things related to singing dance, romance, acting, and painting. But, not all well-known Spaniards are Arts oriented.
For example, you’ll also discover a good sprinkling of scientists and sports people.
Anyway, below is a list of just some renowned Spaniards throughout the ages. It lists only native Spaniards. See how many names you recognise!!
Actors
Antonio Banderas (born 1960)
Penélope Cruz (born 1974)
Architects
Ricardo Bofill
Santiago Calatrava
Antonio Gaudi (1852-1926)
Authors
Mateo Aleman (1547-c1609)
Pedro Calderón de la Barca – playwright and poet
Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616) – author of El Quijote
Federico García Lorca (1898-1936) – Spanish poet
Tirso de Molina – playwright
Agustín Moreto y Cavana – playwright
Francisco de Quevedo
Francisco de Rojas Zorrilla – playwright
Juan Ruiz de Alarcón – playwright
José Zorrilla y Moral – poet
A book we can really recommend now by a current author translated into English is The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Directors (movie)
Luis Buñuel
Pedro Almodóvar (In February 2012, Almodovar started filming a “witty” comedy entitled I’m So Excited, starring Antonio Banderas and Penélope Cruz.)
Alejandro Amenábar
Explorers
Hernán Cortés – Spanish conquistador
Vasco Núñez de Balboa (c1475-1519) – first to sight the Pacific
Francisco Pizarro (1471-1541) – conqueror of Inca Empire
Leaders
El Cid (c1045-1099) – Spanish knight and hero
Buenaventura Durruti (1896-1936)
Francisco Franco (1892-1975)
Musicians
Isaac Albeniz (1860-1909)
Pau Casals (1876-1973)
Manuel de Falla (1876-1946)
Joaquín Turina
Painters
Salvador Dalí (1904-1989)
Francisco Goya (1746-1828)
Joan Miró (1893-1983)
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973)
Diego Velázquez (1599-1660)
Philosophers
Maimónides (1135-1204)
George Santayana (1863-1952) Quote: ” A man’s feet should be planted in his country, but his eyes should survey the world.”
José Ortega y Gasset
Scientists
Algafequi – glasses inventor
Gregorio Maranón
Severo Ochoa de Albornoz (1905-1993)
Santiago Ramón y Cajal (1852-1934) – father of Neuroscience
Miguel Servet
Singers
Miguel Bosé (an ex actor who became famous in the mid 80´s)
Montserrat Caballé (soprano)
José Carreras (of the famous three tenors)
Plácido Domingo (also of the famous three tenors)
Enrique Iglesias (modern pop singer)
Julio Iglesias (Father of Enrique.)
Alfredo Kraus (A distinguished tenor)
Ráphael (Spanish ballard musician)
Alejandro Sanz (pop ballard musician)
Sports
Severiano Ballesteros – golfer
Galo Blanco – tennis player
Fermin Cacho Ruiz – athlete, Olympic Gold Medalist
Pedro Carrasco – world champion boxer
Javier Castillejo – world champion boxer
Juan Carlos Ferrero – tennis player
Sergio Garcia – golfer
Pau Gasol – NA basketball player
Luis Miguel González Lucas – bullfighter (father of Miguel Bosé)
Miguel Induráin – cyclist
Carlos Moya – tennis player
José Maria Olazábal – golfer
Raúl – football player
Carlos Sainz – rally driver
David Villa – footballer
Xavi Hernandez – footballer
Xabi Alonso – footballer
Gerard Piqué – footballer (boyfriend of Shakira)
Carlos Puyol – footballer
(The other girls made me list so many footballers!)