Catrinel Dumitrescu (born 11 October 1956) is a Romanian film and theater actress.
Born in Brăila, her debut came when she was 16, and was selected by director Alexandru Tocilescu to play a role at the local theater[1] in the play Svanevit by August Strindberg.[2] She graduated in 1979 from the Caragiale National University of Theatre and Film, where she studied with Octavian Cotescu and Ovidiu Schumacher.[3] In her third year of studies she played at the Bulandra Theatre in Provincial Anecdotes by Alexander Vampilov, next to Tamara Buciuceanu, Ștefan Bănică, and Virgil Ogășanu.[2] From 1974 to 1989 she played at the Lucian Blaga National Theater in Cluj-Napoca. Since 1991 she has played at the Nottara Theater in Bucharest.[3]
Dumitrescu is a professor at Hyperion University of Bucharest, Faculty of Arts, Acting department. She has appeared in more than fifty films since 1977. She was married to actor Emil Hossu.[1]
In December 2002 she was awarded by Romanian President Ion Iliescu the National Order of Merit, Knight rank.[4] In 2012 she received the Gopo Award for best supporting actress for her role in the movie Aurora.[3]