Karla Sofía Gascón

Born: 31 March 1972

Age:

Years Active: 1995-present

Karla Sofía Gascón (formerly Carlos Gascón; born 31 March 1972) is a Spanish actress. She has developed part of her career in North America, featuring in the comedy film The Noble Family (2013) and the narcoseries El Señor de los Cielos (beginning 2013).

Gascón has gained wide attention for portraying the title character in the musical crime film Emilia Pérez (2024), written and directed by Jacques Audiard. For the role, she jointly won the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress with her three female co-stars, becoming the first openly transgender actress to win the prize. She also won the European Film Award for Best Actress. She was the first openly transgender actress to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress.

Gascón was born Juan Carlos Gascón on 31 March 1972 in Alcobendas, Spain. In her childhood, she playacted with her brother, and, at 16, she decided to pursue an acting career. She earned an acting degree from the ECAM. She worked in London on a BBC series for Spanish-language learning and in Milan voicing puppets for children's shows.