Luis Tosar

Luis López Tosar (born 13 October 1971) is a Spanish actor and musician from Galicia.

He is one of the most recognizable and versatile actors in Spain.

Tosar was born on 13 October 1971 in Lugo, even if he usually prefers to identify with the parish of Xustás (in the municipality of Cospeito, also in the province of Lugo), where he actually spent his childhood and teenage years.

He landed his film debut in Atilano for President (1998), followed by other roles in feature films such as Flowers from Another World (1999), Common Wealth (2000) and No News from God (2001).

He began his career playing theater and shorts, but he gained notoriety in Galicia for his performance in 1998 TV Series Mareas Vivas (Televisión de Galicia).

His supporting performance as Damián in 1999 immigration-themed film Flowers from Another World earned him a nomination the Goya Award for Best New Actor.

He won early acclaim and recognition for his performances in Mondays in the Sun (2002) and Take My Eyes (2003).

He has a music group called "Di Elas".

After a career turning point in the wake of his performance as Malamadre in Cell 211, he has been often typecast in thriller films.

Close to the Galician Nationalist Bloc, Tosar ran as candidate in the Galeusca list to the 2004 European Parliament election.

His only major role in an American film was Michael Mann's Miami Vice (2006), playing Colombian druglord Montoya.

Besides that he has appeared in other English films The Limits of Control and Mr. Nice.

Critically acclaimed for his supporting role in the unemployment drama Mondays in the Sun, abusive husband in Take My Eyes, an executive producer in Even the Rain, and doorman in Sleep Tight, his most acclaimed performance has to be from his 2009 hit Cell 211 which stars Tosar as Malamadre, a prisoner that instigates a riot and befriends an undercover prison guard in the process.

Tosar won the Málaga Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2011 Málaga Spanish Film Festival.

In 2012 he dubbed George Washington for the videogame Assassin's Creed III.

In 2015, Tosar married actress María Luisa Mayol.

On 17 November 2018 he received a star in the Almeria Walk of Fame for the films El Niño (2014) and Toro (2016).