Scene from El espanto surge de la tumba (1973)

Alternate Names: M.J. Cantudo, Maria Cantudo, Maria Jose Cantudo, Mª José Cantudo, María Purificación Josefa Cantudo Porcel

Physical Characteristics: N/A

First Appearances:

• Los días de Cabirio (1971) as Chica de la boîte Perversión (uncredited)

Most Important Roles:

• Horror Rises from the Tomb (1973) as Chantal
• Autopsy (1973) as Mrs. Vincent
• Las delicias de los verdes años (1976) as Herminia
• Las chicas del bingo (1982) as María
• Don Quijote cabalga de nuevo (1973) as (uncredited)
• Piernas cruzadas (1984) as Lucerito Rioja / Rosario de la Mota
• Seven Jackals (1974) as
• The Lively Vampires of Vögel (1975) as Laura
• The Shameful Secret of a Good Boy (1976) as Ana
• Blood and Passion (1976) as Juana Ríos

Career Highlights:

• Horror Rises from the Tomb (1973)
• Autopsy (1973)
• Las delicias de los verdes años (1976)
• Las chicas del bingo (1982)
• Don Quijote cabalga de nuevo (1973)
• Piernas cruzadas (1984)
• Seven Jackals (1974)
• The Lively Vampires of Vögel (1975)
• The Shameful Secret of a Good Boy (1976)
• Blood and Passion (1976)

María José Cantudo, born María Purificación Josefa Cantudo Porcel on July 10, 1951 in Andújar, Jaén, Spain, started her artistic career after encouragement from businessman Carlos del Val. She began acting in photo novels and as an advertising model before debuting in films with 'El espanto surge de la tumba' (1973) and 'Autopsia'. Cantudo gained significant recognition for her role in 'La trastienda' (1976), which featured the first female full nude scene in Spanish cinema. She married singer/actor Manolo Otero in 1973, having a son named Manuel in 1974. The couple separated in 1978 and Cantudo was romantically linked to actor Pedro Ruiz and entrepreneur Enrique Cornejo. In 2013, she received honorary membership from UNESCO for her philanthropic work.