
Manuela Ruiz Penella known as Emma Penella (Madrid, March 2, 1931 - Ibidem, August 27, 2007) was a Spanish film, theater and television actress.
Daughter of the politician Ramón Ruiz Alonso and Magdalena Penella Silva, granddaughter of the composer Manuel Penella Moreno, great-granddaughter of the also musician Manuel Penella Raga, sister of the also actresses Elisa Montés (1934) and Terele Pávez (1939-2017). She married film producer Emiliano Piedra with whom she had three daughters: Emma, Lola and Emiliana. She was also the aunt of the actress Emma Ozores (daughter of her sister Elisa Montés and the actor Antonio Ozores).
Actress of marked personality and prestige since the 1950s, she triumphed in cinema thanks to films such as Luis García Berlanga's El verdugo (The Executioner) and maintained intense theatrical activity. She renewed her popularity in her later years participating in the television series Aquí no hay quien viva (2003-2006) and La que se avecina (2007).

The Executioner
1963 · as Carmen, la hija de Amadeo

Bulgarian Lovers
2003 · as Remedios

Pídele cuentas al rey
2000 · as Carmen

Our Father
1985 · as María

Fedra, the Devil's Daughter
1956 · as Estrella

The Tobacconist of Vallecas
1987 · as Doña Justa

The Search
1966 · as Rosa

El crimen de Don Benito
1991

Scano Boa
1961 · as Buba

El amor brujo
1986 · as Tía Rosario

The Eyes Leave a Trace
1952 · as Lola

Golden Goddess of Rio Beni
1964 · as Dinah

Black Humor
1965 · as Miss Wilma - segment 2 'La Mandrilla - Miss Wilma'

Viento de cólera
1988

Un marido de ida y vuelta
1957 · as Leticia Romero

Un ángel tuvo la culpa
1960 · as Eulalia

Comedians
1954 · as Marga

Condemned to Hang
1953 · as Consuelo