Marisa Paredes, star of Almodóvar's films, has died at the age of 78

Spanish actress Marisa Paredes, known for her roles in films directed by Pedro Almodóvar, died on Dec. 17 at the age of 78.

"Spanish cinema is without one of its most iconic actresses. Marisa Paredes <...> passed away at the age of 78 after a long career during which audiences were able to see her more than 75 times on the big screen," according to the website of the Spanish Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

The cause of death has not been reported.

Paredes was born in Madrid in 1946 and starred in her first movie in 1960 at the age of 14. Her acting career spanned more than six decades. Some of her best known films include High Heels (Tacones lejanos, 1991), All About My Mother (Todo sobre mi madre, 1999) and The Skin I Live In (La piel que habito, 2011).

In addition, Paredes chaired the Film Academy from 2000 to 2003, and in 2018 she was honored with the Goya Award for her contribution to cinema.