Maria Bakalova is a Bulgarian actress. She is the recipient of various accolades, including a Critics' Choice Award, in addition to nominations for an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
Born and raised in Burgas, Bakalova began her career in Bulgarian cinema while attending the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts. She mostly portrayed dramatic roles in films such as Transgression (2017), The Father (2019), Last Call (2020) and Women Do Cry (2021).
Bakalova rose to prominence after starring in the 2020 mockumentary film Borat Subsequent Moviefilm. Her performance in the film earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She has since had starring roles in films of various genres, including Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022), The Apprentice (2024) and Dirty Angels (2024).
Bakalova gained further recognition for her voice acting roles, including as Cosmo the Spacedog in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) and as Princess Ilana Rostovic in the DC Universe series Creature Commandos (2024).
