Actress.  Real name Manuela Ruiz Penella. Considered one of the great leading ladies of Spanish stage, screen and television. The granddaughter of Valencian composer Manuel Penella Moreno, she  began her stage career at the age of 22 and later moved into films. With her deep voice and  strong presence, she was able to play both comedic and dramatic roles. Her theatre credits include “La Heredera,” “Micaela,” “¿Le Gusta Schubert?” and “Frank V.”  Onscreen Panella is particularly remembered in Luis García Berlanga’s “El Verdugo”,  as Pepe Isbert’s daughter. She also appeared in “La Estanquera de Vallecas,” “Fedra,” in the title role of “La Regenta”,  and as Fortunata in “Fortunata y Jacinta.” In her last years she got enjoyed great success for her work in the  television series “Aquí No Hay Quién Viva.” Active until her death, her last work was in “La Que se Avecina” (2007). Penella was awarded the “Medalla de Oro al Mérito en las Bellas Artes” in 1999. Her sisters were actresses Terela Pávez and Elisa Montés. She was married to producer Emiliano Piedra and,  curiously,  was buried on the anniversary of his death. (bio by: José L Bernabé Tronchoni)