Luis Tosar


Luis López Tosar is a Spanish actor from Galicia. He is one of the most recognizable and versatile actors in Spain.
He landed his film debut in Atilano for President, followed by other roles in feature films such as Flowers from Another World, Common Wealth and No News from God. He won early acclaim and recognition for his performances in Mondays in the Sun and Take My Eyes.
After a career turning point in the wake of his performance as Malamadre in Cell 211, he has been often typecast in thriller films.

Life and career

Tosar was born on 13 October 1971 in Lugo, although he usually prefers to identify with the parish of , where he spent his childhood and teenage years.
He began his career playing theater and shorts, but he gained notoriety in Galicia for his performance in 1998 TV Series Mareas Vivas.
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.
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 was from 2009 hit Cell 211 which stars Tosar as Malamadre, a prisoner that instigates a riot and befriends an undercover prison guard in the process. His only major role in an American film was Michael Mann's Miami Vice, playing Colombian druglord Montoya. Besides that he has appeared in other English films The Limits of Control and Mr. Nice.
Close to the Galician Nationalist Bloc, Tosar ran as candidate in the Galeusca list to the 2004 [European Parliament election in Spain|2004 European Parliament election].
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 and Toro.
He has a music group called "Di Elas".
In July 2025, Tosar signed a letter sent to the Government of Spain along with over 1,200 professionals demanding an immediate and comprehensive embargo of arms and defense material on Israel by means of a Royal Decree-Law.
In December 2025, he was announced as recipient of the Gold [Medal of Merit in the Fine Arts].

Accolades

Tosar won the Málaga Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2011 Málaga Spanish Film Festival.
YearAwardCategoryWorkResult
2000Best New ActorFlowers from Another WorldNomitated
2003Best Supporting ActorMondays in the SunWon
2003Best Film Actor in a Secondary RoleMondays in the SunWon
200351st San Sebastián International Film FestivalSilver Shell for Best ActorTake My EyesWon
2004Best ActorTake My EyesWon
2004Best Film Actor in a Leading RoleTake My EyesWon
2010Best ActorCell 211Won
2010Best ActorCell 211Won
2010Best Film Actor in a Leading RoleCell 211Won
2010Best European ActorCell 211Nomitated
2011Best ActorEven the RainWon
2011Best ActorEven the RainNomitated
2012Best ActorSleep TightNomitated
2012Best ActorSleep TightWon
2012Best ActorSleep TightNomitated
2015Best ActorEl NiñoNomitated
2016Best ActorRetributionNomitated
2016Best ActorRetributionNomitated
2016Best ActorRetributionNomitated
2019Best ActorGun CityWon
2020Best ActorEye for an EyeNomitated
2020Best ActorEye for an EyeNomitated
2021Best ActorMaixabelNomitated
2022Best ActorMaixabelNomitated
2022Best Film Actor in a Leading RoleMaixabelNomitated
2022Best ActorMaixabelNomitated
2022Best Film ActorOn the FringeNomitated
2023Best Actor in a FilmOn the FringeNomitated
2023Best ActorOn the FringeNomitated
2023Best ActorCode Name: EmperorNomitated
2023Best ActorOn the FringeNomitated
2024Best ActorFatumNomitated
202526th Iris AwardsBest ActorThe [Law of the Sea (TV series)|The Law of the Sea]Nomitated
2025Best Supporting ActorUndercoverWon
202539th Goya AwardsBest Supporting ActorUndercoverNomitated
2025Best ActorUndercoverNomitated
2026Best Supporting ActorGolpes

''Celda 211 (Cell 211) (2009)">Cell 211">Celda 211 (Cell 211) (2009)''

''Te doy mis ojos (Take My Eyes) (2003)">Take My Eyes">Te doy mis ojos (Take My Eyes) (2003)''

''Los lunes al sol (Mondays in the Sun) (2002)">Mondays in the Sun">Los lunes al sol (Mondays in the Sun) (2002)''