Gloria Ramos (born 1993) is a Spanish actress. She made history as the first actress with intellectual disability to be nominated for a Goya Award for Best New Actress for her role as Collantes in the 2018 film Champions directed by Javier Fesser.[1] The film's success, which attracted over 3.3 million viewers and won the Goya Award for Best Film, brought Ramos international recognition and established her as a pioneering figure in disability representation in Spanish cinema.[2]
Ramos has since appeared in several television series, including La que se avecina and Merlí: Sapere Aude, as well as in theater productions.[3] She continues to work as an advocate for disability inclusion in the entertainment industry while pursuing her acting career.[4]
Early life
Gloria Ramos was born in 1993 in Madrid, Spain. She has Down syndrome, a genetic condition that causes intellectual disability.[5]
Ramos pursued her education alongside her artistic interests, eventually earning a diploma in Early Childhood Education from the Pontifical University of Comillas.[6] She has also demonstrated athletic abilities, participating in sports such as archery and football.[7]
Career
Breakthrough with Champions (2018)
Ramos's breakthrough came in 2017 when director Javier Fesser selected her for a role in his film Champions (Spanish: Campeones). In the film, she portrayed Collantes, a strong-willed basketball player with intellectual disability who is part of a team coached by a former professional basketball coach performing community service. Ramos was the only female actor among the nine actors with intellectual disabilities who starred in the film.[8]
The character of Collantes was described as having a tough, rebellious personality, quite different from Ramos's own demeanor. Her performance was noted for its authenticity and humor, particularly in scenes where her character's determination and spirit shine through despite the challenges faced by the team.[9]
Champions became a major commercial and critical success, grossing over €19 million and attracting 3.3 million viewers, making it the highest-grossing Spanish-language film of 2018 in Spain.[10] The film was selected as Spain's entry for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 91st Academy Awards, though it was not nominated.[11]
Goya Award nomination
For her performance in Champions, Ramos received a nomination for the Goya Award for Best New Actress at the 33rd Goya Awards in 2019. This nomination made her the first actress with intellectual disability to be nominated for a Goya Award, marking a historic moment in Spanish cinema.[12] While she did not win the award, her nomination was widely celebrated as a significant step forward for disability representation in film.
Following the success of Champions, Ramos expanded her career into television. She appeared in the popular Spanish sitcom La que se avecina and had a recurring role as Laura in the series Merlí: Sapere Aude (2019-2021), a spin-off of the Catalan series Merlí.[15]
In 2020, she appeared in Historias lamentables, another film directed by Javier Fesser. She also participated in the documentary Ni distintos, ni diferentes. Campeones (Neither Different nor Distinct: Champions), which explored the real stories behind the characters in Champions.[16]
In 2023, Ramos reprised her role in Championext (Spanish: Campeonex), the sequel to Champions.[17] She has also been active in theater, participating in stage adaptations and touring productions related to the Champions franchise, including "Campeones de la Comedia" (Champions of Comedy).[18]
Other work
Beyond acting, Ramos works in retail at a sports store on Madrid's Gran Vía while continuing to pursue acting opportunities.[19] She has become an advocate for disability inclusion and representation in the entertainment industry, using her platform to promote awareness and understanding of intellectual disabilities.[20]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she took online singing lessons, expressing her interest in potentially pursuing musical theater in the future.[21]
Personal life
Ramos lives with her family in Madrid and maintains close relationships with her parents and siblings. She has spoken about her desire for independence and has expressed interest in eventually living on her own or with friends. She enjoys various activities including riding motorcycles with her brother and using social media platforms like TikTok.[22]
In interviews, Ramos has been vocal about challenging stereotypes surrounding intellectual disabilities, emphasizing that people with Down syndrome can achieve their goals with proper support and opportunities. She has stated that her dream is to perform in a musical and continue expanding her acting career into different genres, including drama and action films.[23]
Impact and legacy
Gloria Ramos's nomination for the Goya Award marked a watershed moment for disability representation in Spanish cinema. Her success has opened doors for other actors with disabilities and has contributed to changing perceptions about the capabilities of people with intellectual disabilities in the entertainment industry.[24]
Her work has been recognized not only for its artistic merit but also for its social impact, helping to promote inclusion and diversity in Spanish film and television. Ramos continues to be an inspiration for young people with disabilities who aspire to careers in the performing arts.[25]
↑ R. Arjona, Araceli (4 December 2024). "Teatro sin fronteras mentales ni funcionales"[Theater without mental or functional borders]. Diario Córdoba (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 5 December 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
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