Gael García Bernal was born on November 30, 1978 in Guadalajara, Jalisco. He is the son of Patricia Bernal and José Angel García but as Gael says, “The paternal figure I've had is my stepfather, but I don't like that word. He's always been my father." Gaels ‘father' is Sergio Yasbek.

Bernal began his acting career in 1989 with appearances in Mexican soap operas and television shows such as “Teresa” and “El Abuelo Y Yo,” along side fellow Mexican actor Diego Luna. In 1996, at only 17, Gael did his first short movie "De Tripas Corazón", which was nominated for an Academy Award. Gael then dropped out of the lime-light and moved to London to pursue his acting studies at The Central School of Speech and Drama.

When he returned he went on to appear in movies such as "Amores Perros", and "Cerebro". He later played another distinguished role alongside Diego Luna, his long time friend, in Alfonso Cuaron's “Y Tu Mama Tambien", His most current American released movie was "The Motorcycle Diaries," which he starred as the revolutionist Che Guevara. The film was released in 2004 and received wide acclaim. Also in 2004 he stared in Pedro Almodóvar's “La Mala educación” which opened the Cannes Film Festival that year.

In 2005 Gael has two films lined up so far, “The King” as Elvis, and “The Science of Sleep” role unconfirmed. In a summation of Gael García Bernal's acting career, he has achieved more in his 26 years of life than most actors achieve in a lifetime.

He also starred alongside Brad Pitt in Babel (2006).

Filmography

• Pedro Páramo (2009)
• Blindness (2008)
• Rudo y Cursi (2008)
• Pasado, El (2007)
• Déficit (2007)
• Babel (2006)
• "Soy tu fan" (2006)
• Science des rêves, La (2006)
• The King (2005)
• Mala educación, La (2004)
• Diarios de motocicleta (2004)
• Dreaming of Julia (2003)
• Dot the I (2003)
• I'm with Lucy (2002)
• Crimen del padre Amaro, El (2002)
• Fidel (2002)
• Sin noticias de Dios (2001)
• Vidas privadas (2001)
• Ojo en la nuca, El (2001)
• Y tu mamá también (2001)
• The Last Post (2001)
• "Queen of Swords" (1 episode, 2000)
• Amores perros (2000)
• Cerebro (2000)
• De tripas, corazón (1996)
• "Abuelo y yo, El" (1992)
• "Teresa" (1989)

Awards

• Ariel Best Actor "Amores Perros" 2001
• Venice Film Festival Marcello Mastroianni Award Best Young Actor/Actress "Y Tu Mama Tambien" 2001
• Chicago International Film Festival Silver Hugo Award Best Actor "Amores Perros" 2000