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Javier Bardem, in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, opened up about his feelings after learning that his wife, Penelope Cruz, may have suffered a brain aneurysm.
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«"It shocked me and we were very worried," he recalls.
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After Cruz was cleared to continue filming, Bardem said she captured one of "the most amazing moments you've ever seen on screen.".
Javier Bardem recalls the moment he learned his wife, Penelope Cruz, may have had a brain aneurysm.
After the 52-year-old actress, known based on the film "Black Ball" » ( La Bola Negra ), called her husband and said she may have suffered a brain aneurysm while filming a Spanish drama, the 57-year-old star of the film "« There is no place for old people here »" told PEOPLE that he was completely "shocked" by the sudden news.
«We were very nervous,» Bardem admits at the film’s premiere. «Cape Fear» on Tuesday, July 2. "But she asked the doctor, 'Can I do a musical number? Because they're waiting for me to say 'Action!'".
Noting that the decision of whether Cruise was ready to "climb on a tank and perform a musical number" created a "moment of tension" at the time, Bardem goes on to say that doctors gave his wife the go-ahead on the condition that she agree to come in for an examination the following day.
Javier Bardem attended the world premiere of "Cape Fear" on Apple TV on June 2, 2026. Photo: Brianna Bryson/WireImage
«"What's amazing—and that's why she told this story—is how people, when they see something, don't know what's behind it," he explains. "When she told this story, I thought, 'Yes, this is something I can share to understand that we're all human and we go through very difficult moments.'".
Bardem also emphasizes that Cruz "accepted the bet" and decided to "overcome this moment" to get the perfect shot for the film, directed by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi.
«"It was one of the most amazing moments you'll ever see on screen," he says. "Of course, it was tough. But thank God, we were lucky. She's okay. She's wonderful.".
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Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz attend a McDonald's Ligue 1 football match on May 2, 2026. Photo: Jean Catuffe/Getty.
As for how Cruise learned about the possible ruptured aneurysm on set? The actress previously stated at a press conference at the Cannes Film Festival on May 23 that the health issues arose during preparation for the film's night scenes.
«"When we were getting ready to go out, I was putting on my wig, and they said, 'Oh, I think you have a brain aneurysm,'" Cruz recalled last month, according to Variety . "I thought I was going to die. It was completely unrealistic in my life.".
Although she was allowed to continue singing and dancing the following day, Cruz said the experience changed her perspective on her own life and the film's themes. In the film, the actress plays a cabaret performer performing for soldiers.
«"I thought, 'This is truly a miracle. I have to, I have to get through this,'" she said. "'You're going through all this together, but despite all this, despite the difficulties, you can move forward with your life.'".
Read the original article on People.