Lara Laquiz is a famous actress and model from Spain, best known for her appearances in well-known English-speaking TV dramas, such as Downton Abbey and Mad Men. She began her career at the age of sixteen in her first major role, as an extra in The Perfect Storm, playing the character of Corin. She went on to star in a number of high profile films, including Dances With Angels, Edward Scissorhands and Who’s on First? Her professional acting career was capped off with appearances in movies such as Don’t Look So Good and Moulin Rouge, and she was nominated for an Academy Award for her contribution to the movie industry.
In recent years, Lara has adopted a new interest in dance, taking up dancing as a hobby as well as pursuing a career as a stage actress in various popular TV shows. Whilst her height is a likely hindrance when it comes to looking for work, her enthusiasm for dance can be an asset when trying to find a role in movies or television dramas. As she herself states, “I love dancing and I am very proud of my dancing”, adding that her height “does not hinder me at all”. It is therefore interesting to speculate if her national origin prevented her from pursuing an acting career when she could have had such success had she been taller. It is also interesting to note how a height difference can impact upon an actor’s success, as certain roles call for dramatic heights to accompany their characters’ descriptions, whereas other roles are more subtle and require speaking skills to further the character’s theme or storyline. In addition, it would be interesting to see if a height difference would impact upon a wider range of roles, such as those of a nurse or a police officer, which traditionally require a tall and stocky person.
It would be interesting to see what effect a height difference would have on Lara Laquiz today. However, it is clear from her profile that her passion for dance and acting remains strong. Being the latest Spanish love sensation, and following a recent appearance in the very popular film The Impossible, it seems that age is no barrier to becoming a household name in this field.